www.iFourWinns.com

Hey guys/gals... what kind of rpm differences have you found tinkering with pitches on these props. I know single props well but nothing in regards to DP's... are the changes from my F6 to an F5 or F4 similar to say going form a 21 to 19 or 17? We have a 03' Four WinnsH220 (3700lbs & 22') w/5.7 GI (280hp) currently with the standard F6. Runs fabulous and comes out of the hole fine but I would like to improve holding speed & cornering speed. I have to tinker with throttle a little more than my liking for the amount of water sports we do. I ran it out yesterday in ROUGH water on a windy day with a half loaded boat and we're still only running 4500ish RPM's and 47-48-ish mph . I'm VERY watchful of redline... so I'm not concerned about dropping a pitch or two down. I am curious what changes you've seen in RPM's and your boat performance... and pulling wakeboarders & kneeboarders.

Thank you!!

All the best!

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Current: 2006 H200 5.0 GXI SX Blue/White
Previous: 2003 H220 VP 5.7 Gi DP
Black/White

Rather than spending $900 + on a set of props, just have some of the cup taken out of both props, that will give you the additional RPM you want, and not affect the holeshot and cornering/cavitation. I will be doing that with my Bravo III props over the winter.

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One of 4 Previous (Sold) Boats:
2000 Four Winns 268 Vista

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy

Your prop selection is depends on your gear/drive ratio of your stern drive. If your H220 has a set of F6 your drive most likely has 1.96 to 1 ratio. (your tag on the drive should indicate your drive ratio) F6 prop is very tall for 220 so you would gain RPM and hole shot with going to F5 or F4 prop……. I feel F5 might be a best for all round performance for your application but F4 should be better for water sports. However, you might over rev the engine.
I would recommend testing a few set before you spend a big $.....

My 8.1 Gi (1.78 to 1 ratio) on H260 (5000 lb boat)came with F6 but I have tried both F5 and F7 props…. F5 gave me a great hole shot but over revved. F7 did not give me a good bite on hole shot or quick turns but top speed increased about 3mph…….. F6 is the most compromised prop for my H260..

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08 H260 VP 8.1Gi DP.....Previous
2013 Crownline E6 Merc 8.2MAG BIIIX, DTS/SC

I've not heard of anyone in our area even attempt to change out props on a DP or BIII drive. Everyone that I know of has been happy with the way their boats are propped out of the factory.

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2005 FW Horizon 250
8.1L VP DP

Cappy's thoughts are certainly valid (make sure you let us know how that turns out).

As for prop size/RPM differences, Our 245 Sundowner had the 280hp and F6 props (no idea what the gear case ratio was, and of course, this does make a difference as well). It never had a problem getting on plane and would cruise at about 3000-RPM at 30-MPH (GPS).

The 268-Vista has the same engine (don't know the gear ratio) and the F4 props. Comes out of the hole a bit slower than the 245 did (dry weight is about 2000 pounds more), but is OK. It will not stay on plane at 3000-RPM without quite a bit of down tab applied. Cruise is 3300-RPM to 3500-RPM. 3500 produces about 28 to 30 MPH.

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Gordon Arnold
New Hampshire

2003 268 Vista ..................................................................Prior: 97 245 Sundowner

Thanks guys! Yes... the gearing of our VP is 195:1.

Starfish... the boat/prop setup is ok and no real complaints. I don't need a Ski Natique but I do want to get the most I can out of our runabout in regards to water sports. Every boat I've had we've changed props on. IMO manufacturers simply prop a boat to run out at it's fastest speed without getting anywhere close to even the low end redline so a novice boater doesn't over rev his boat (which is smart on their part). This boat pulls up skiers EASY PEASY ... but I want better holding speed when cornering (which should easily be accomplished)... that's the beauty with boats... I can simply re-prop as I've always done and job completed. For those who have never played with props... they would be absolutely amazed as what a prop change does. Most boaters I talk to don't even know there are different sizes.

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Current: 2006 H200 5.0 GXI SX Blue/White
Previous: 2003 H220 VP 5.7 Gi DP
Black/White

Sometimes yes, sometimes no. There are many boats that do actually run optimally with the prop(s) spec'd by the mfr., and I believe this tends to be so even more often with dual-propped boats. Dual props and single props are different worlds in some ways. I think it can sometimes be counterproductive - not to mention expensive - to assume that every boat can be improved upon with a prop change. Not trying to step on your point at all, just wanted to throw this out for future new boaters who might come across this thread.

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Mike
2005 Four Winns 230/240
VP 5.7GXi/DP
1998 F-150 XLT
Boat Pic

Thanks for pointing that out Mike... I absolutely agree. Not every change will always produce a better result...

Here's an interested tidbit. My 2003 H220 came with the F6 on it... in 2006 the H220's with the same motor came with an F5. Now, I haven't found whether or not they geared them differently but I will. It may be that FW's simply discovered that the F5 might be a better fit. In the short time I've owned our boat... I absolultely LOVE it... however I see a little room for improvement in the skiing department to meet our needs (that may or may not be there ).

(Note that I also know they had a model/make change in 2006 so the H220's were a bit different. But not much... they added about 6" and minor changes but overall weights, ect were about the same).
Now I need to find out if gearing was changed. Fun stuff!
2003 & 2006 links below...

2003 specs/F6 http://assets1.fourwinnsmarketing.com/p ... -34%29.pdf
2006 specs/F5 http://assets1.fourwinnsmarketing.com/p ... %20(p28-31).pdf[list=][/list]

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Current: 2006 H200 5.0 GXI SX Blue/White
Previous: 2003 H220 VP 5.7 Gi DP
Black/White

No gearing change in 2006.

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One of 4 Previous (Sold) Boats:
2000 Four Winns 268 Vista

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy

Thanks M! I was curious if gearing changed... good to know. The F5 will probably be the route to go.

btw... I talked with my local prop guy and he said he doesn't do any tweaking on the DP's.

All the best!
S

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Current: 2006 H200 5.0 GXI SX Blue/White
Previous: 2003 H220 VP 5.7 Gi DP
Black/White

There's a shop local to me that will do anything you want done to your props (http://www.midwestpropeller.com - a good contact to file away). That said, I agree it's interesting that FW changed the spec from F6 to F5 for the same boat, power package, and gearing. In this case I'd say going with the F5's isn't really "playing" with the props, it's just going with the revised specification and I'd be inclined to do the same. I didn't understand earlier that that's what happened.

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Mike
2005 Four Winns 230/240
VP 5.7GXi/DP
1998 F-150 XLT
Boat Pic

Thanks for the link Mike... saved it. I may end up talking with them at some point.

All the best!
S

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Current: 2006 H200 5.0 GXI SX Blue/White
Previous: 2003 H220 VP 5.7 Gi DP
Black/White

I am willing to bet the boats are built/equipt how ever the dealer order. We all know that every dealer and every order person has a different opinion on what the proper set up should be. That will explain the difference in prop sets or gear ratios from one boat to the next or year to year.

I am sure the factory has standard props/gear ratios that would fit most of the market, but the dealer can very easily change gear sets or props out to get the customer exactly what they need, and around here, that happens alot.

Our boat has the 1.95 high alt gear ratio, prop set is an F3, and we still have a hard time getting max RPM, but not going to spend $1700 on a F2 set!

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2000 248 5.7L DP
'92, '94 SXI 750, '08 STX 15F, '12 Ultra LX 300
Videos

I've had decent luck with props on Ebay over the years... It's been 15+ years since I picked up a brand new one... you never know though until it's on the boat and in the water.

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Current: 2006 H200 5.0 GXI SX Blue/White
Previous: 2003 H220 VP 5.7 Gi DP
Black/White