My Fish Finder Main > General Fishing Discussion
Prop question
krispcritter:
I have a 2021 Suzuki DF30ATHL3 tiller steer motor on my 16-foot, 1988 Grumman Fisherman boat. Basically, a big heavy rowboat. My batteries are mounted midship, with the gas tank in the rear with me (6 gal). Even with my wife sitting at the bow, the boat does not want to plane like I think it should. Riding bow high even with trim maxed out. I added a small hydrofoil on the cav plate and that helped a little. I plan on moving the batteries further forward to reduce the weight at the stern.
The stock prop is a 3x10.25x12. Would a 4 blade prop help or should I consider a different pitch prop. What say ye.
lowaccord66:
Any idea what rpm range you are getting to at the top?
Badbrad2186:
--- Quote from: krispcritter on Apr 01, 2024, 03:57 PM ---I have a 2021 Suzuki DF30ATHL3 tiller steer motor on my 16-foot, 1988 Grumman Fisherman boat. Basically, a big heavy rowboat. My batteries are mounted midship, with the gas tank in the rear with me (6 gal). Even with my wife sitting at the bow, the boat does not want to plane like I think it should. Riding bow high even with trim maxed out. I added a small hydrofoil on the cav plate and that helped a little. I plan on moving the batteries further forward to reduce the weight at the stern.
The stock prop is a 3x10.25x12. Would a 4 blade prop help or should I consider a different pitch prop. What say ye.
--- End quote ---
I had the same issue with a very similar boat moved the gas tank to the front of the boat and fixed the problem. Each gallon of gas weights around 6 lbs. 10 gallon tank is 60osh lbs
Mac Attack:
I know you don’t want to hear this, but 30hp isn’t enough for that boat.
My BIL had. 16’ Sylvan with a 40hp Merc 2st and he could never get it to plane either. I told him this as I had a 16’ Sylvan with a 55hp and it wouldn’t plane if I had more than 2 or 3 people on board. Following year he sold the boat. lol
A 4 blade prop will give you more “pop” out of the hole, but you lose top end because of drag.
I had a 16’ MirroCraft with a 40hp Yamaha 4st. I moved the battery and fuel tank up front and it would plane. However, I’m a fat a$$.
Good luck.
krispcritter:
The boat specs say 35 HP max so it's not a Horsepower issue. It originally had a 1986 Johnson 20 HP and it planed fine. I sucked weeds into the water intake and caused a thermal nuclear melt down of that motor. Wife hated that motor as it was temperamental and being a 2 stroke, the exhaust made her sick. so, after the melt down I replaced with the larger 4 stroke. Significant weight increase on the new motor so I'm leaning towards the weight distribution being the issue.
The specs on new motor say 5600 to 6300 RPM at WOT. I don't know the actual RMP's I'm turning as I don't have a tach, just the idiot light on the motor.
I think I will move everything I can forward and see what that does. This will be the easiest and cheapest option. If that does not work, I will readdress the issue.
Thank you for the input gents.
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