www.iFourWinns.com

Hi out there,
I have a single prop on my boat. The engine is a Volvo 5.7 Gxi 320hp, H210 SS.
Can I buy a Duo prop or do I have to do any modifications to the stern drive.

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2007 Four Winns H210 SS
1996 16' Lund (fishing boat)
2008 Ford Expedition Max Limited

Based on what you've said, you most likely have a Volvo SX drive. You can change it to a DuoProp, but that will require replacing the lower half of the drive unit, plus a new set of props. It won't be cheap.

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

I'm not sure a duoprop would do you much good on a boat your size.

It's deifinitely do-able though. A propset will run you close to a grand by self... yeouch.

Why would you want this for your boat? What is your goal by doing this?

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2008 318 Vista -SOLD, but I am still around!
All Night Long, Seattle WA

Roger,
I am fortunate enough to have gone up against a boat otherwise matching mine, that had a duo-prop set-up. It was a 21' cobalt with the same engine you describe (same HP as me). With my hi-five we were nearly identical on hole shot, but I could walk away on the top end. Overall, a good match-up, and very comparable.

I think a four or five blade prop would get you the desired results much cheaper, and also at lower cost of maint and repair.

_________________
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.

Thanks Guys,
I've been toying with the idea and thought it would give me more power at the get go and drop my rpm's at the top end.
I do have to admit that it does have a lot of get up and go as it is from the factory. I've only got one prop and want to add an emergency one for that just in case, and wasn't to sure if I could buy a duo prop.

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2007 Four Winns H210 SS
1996 16' Lund (fishing boat)
2008 Ford Expedition Max Limited

Having an emergency spare is a wholly different thing from having a DuoProp. If you're just trying to address the need for an emergency backup prop, there are far better choices, including lightweight and easy to store composite props made just for this purpose.

You'd want to consider a DuoProp conversion only for better hole shot (which shouldn't be an issue with your current setup), and easier low-speed and reverse maneuvering. I think a DuoProp in a 210 would be awesome, but very expensive to get there from here, and wouldn't address the need for an emergency prop at all (then you'd just need 2 spare props! ).

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

Thanks for the help, I'll be heading into the marina in a couple of week when we open the cottage and get myself a spare prop. Can't wait to get the boat in the water.

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2007 Four Winns H210 SS
1996 16' Lund (fishing boat)
2008 Ford Expedition Max Limited

I hear you! By the way if you have any trouble locating a backup prop, I've had great service from http://www.midwestpropeller.com. They ship all over the world.

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

Everyone seems to refer to better reversing with a duoprop. All I can say it must be pretty grim with a single prop, if the duoprop set up is supposedly better! My boat (245 Sundowner with a duoprop) will basically only easily everse in a straight line; no steering worth mentiioning, unless I want to reverse fast ( not what I usually want to do e.g. when trying to reverse into the steel rig that takes the boat out of the water at the end of the season!). OK, maybe in completely calm conditions it may offer some advantage, but where I boat that's about 1% of the time. My 225 with a duoprop was no different.

The RIB with a single prop outboard on which I did a training course was much better in reverse.

Graham

I've never had any complaints reversing the FW, even over a considerable distance (4 miles to be exact!). I've even had to maneouver into a tight spot about 10' wide, and do a 90 to get into a slip. It's a little less responsive than forward with a cross current/wind, but as long as you are comfortable with your "prop-walk" when shifting gears, you can turn circles. My last boat (18' Maxum) didn't do nearly as well in reverse. It would pretty much go all over, unless just going a short distance, or parallel parking.

_________________
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.