www.iFourWinns.com

Hi All,
Just bought an '88 Sundowner 205 w\4.3L OMC. The boat is in great shape and runs well, but is pretty anemic coming out of the hole. It has an old, very worn aluminum 3-blade 15x17 prop on it. I would even guess this is the original prop.
I was wondering what you guys are using. I have a 14.5x19 stainless from my old boat that I am going to try, but I suspect I'll be buying something new sooner rather than later. Any suggestions? 3, 4, 5, blade? Pitch? Size?

Thanks!
Andy

OK...Just noticed there was a separate section for prop questions - sorry! Still love to hear from any of you Sundowner guys about which prop you use.

AC

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'88 Sundowner 205
4.3L OMC

Depending on engine condition and elevation were you boat, if it sluggish out of the hole, you do not want to go up in pitch (15 X 19) I would stay with the 15 x 17.

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

of course its going to be a little different since mine has a 305 in it but i'll check and see what my prop pitch is. I'll let you know in a day or two.

I have a nearly identical boat, 88 200 Horizon with the 4.3 OMC Cobra with 4 bbl carb. This boat came with an aluminum 14 1/2 X 19 prop. I would not call it a rocket but it gets out of the hole nicely. BTW, in the manual for that engine your max rpm should be:
2bbl 4200-4600
4bbl 4400-4800

I have gotten about 4600, and so I have stuck with this prop, maybe you should try the stainless one you have. I checked in my OMC factory shop manual and that is the prop they list for that size boat and engine.

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88 Four Winns 200 Horizon
4.3 OMC Cobra-4bbl
2002 Walker Bay 10/2012 Suzuki 2.5
2008 Walker Bay 8

1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.0/Selectrac
2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.7 Hemi/Quadradrive II

Thanks for the replies!

Update: I put the 14.5x19 on and it is definitely better. Being a steeper pitch, I didn't expect much improvement, but it pulls out of the hole a little better and is 3-5 mph faster at top end. RPM are about 4200 at WOT.

Has anyone tried one of the add-on cav. plate fins to help low speed planeing?

Thanks,
Andy

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'88 Sundowner 205
4.3L OMC

Answered my own question again...bought the SE300 hydrofoil for the outdrive. Another nice improvement. The bow doesn't rise nearly as much and I can plane slow enough to pull the kids on a tube or kneeboard. I'm sure I wouldn't need this thing if I had a few more horsepower, but it's a nice addition for my slightly underpowered boat.

BTW, we are really enjoying this boat!

Andy

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'88 Sundowner 205
4.3L OMC

Tried a 15 x 17 prop in place of the 14 1/2 x 19 that was on there, it is definitely better than the 19 pitch was. The boat jumps up on plane and now hits about 4800 which is right where it should be for the V-6 4bbl Cobra.
I did some snooping around in the old FW archives on their site, and from what I have seen, the Horizons and Sundowners of the 88-92 years (same hulls) with the V-6s were supposed to come with a 15x17, the V-8s were supposed to use the 14 1/2 x 19.

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88 Four Winns 200 Horizon
4.3 OMC Cobra-4bbl
2002 Walker Bay 10/2012 Suzuki 2.5
2008 Walker Bay 8

1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.0/Selectrac
2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.7 Hemi/Quadradrive II