www.iFourWinns.com

Since I ding'd my prop, and am swapping for my spare this weekend, my interest in props increased a bit. Thought I'd start shopping around a bit, and figured that having the p/n for the SS prop FW provides with their SS upgrade for my boat would be nice to have. I was a bit surprised to learn that in the SS upgrade swap on new boats, FW uses the same diameter and pitch props as the stock aluminum props. I had always heard and accepted as gospel that when moving to SS, you want to drop 2" in pitch. The customer service guy said no, in their experience the SS props being more rigid give more bite at low range and top end, and that no drop in pitch is required. I know that FW has been very accurate with published top speed and gallon/hr rates for each model and engine configuration, and assume that they do fairly consistent trials to determine these figures. So this surprised me.

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2007 Horizon 200
4.3L GXi/ SX 225 HP

Well, based on the discussion with FW customer service, and what I've picked up from threads here, I ended up getting a used SS prop to replace my dinged 14.25 X 21 prop. It's in good condition, and is a 14.5 x 20. Prior to the ding, with the AL 14.25 x 21 prop, 1/2 tank of gas, and only me in the boat, I could get a hair over 50 MPH on the speedo with quite a bit of fine trimming at or near 4600 RPM. Without that trimming, the RPMs tend to stay down around 4200. Any guesses as to what I can look forward to with the SS prop? Any comments on the FW practice of keeping the diameter and pitch the same on their SS upgrades?

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2007 Horizon 200
4.3L GXi/ SX 225 HP

Check some of my other prop posts and visit this website...
http://www.go-fast.com/Prop_Slip_Calculator.htm

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Walt B
"Debt-Charged"
Black '07 H210SS
6.2L Bravo One turning a 21P HIFive
Wakeboard Tower with Perfect Pass Stargazer version
Missouri River; Kansas City, Mo.

Amazingly I can not find the gear ratio for my Volvo SX-A out drive anywhere. I'd think it'd be in the Volvo Operator's manual, but nope. So where do I look?

How does Aluminum versus SS versus Plastic fit into the calculator? Different slippage I'd guess... but no way to use the calculator to estimate what a change would do.

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2007 Horizon 200
4.3L GXi/ SX 225 HP

Should be stamped on the drive housing or on the top of the engine.

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2007 358 T-5.7GXi IB
Previous Boats
'08 H240, '08 V318, '04 268, '04 225

You should see 2-3 mph and a lot better throttle response. I always run a steel prop for those reasons. Although you should know that if you hit a big rock or stump you could damage the prop shaft. The alum prop will shred itself. I have first hand experience. Twice. If you know the water depth where you are and rarely hit the bottom you will love it.

Holy thread revival, Batman!!!

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Paul
2007 Four Winns Horizon 220
Mercruiser 350 Mag MPI w/ Bravo III Drive
2004 Ford Explorer Limited (V8-AWD)
Pomme de Terre Lake (Southwest Missouri)