Propping a 96 Hydra-Sports 205FS

[warriorcookie]

I have a 96 Hydra-Sports 205FS (think Stratos 201FS) with a 200HP looper on a 6" manual jack-plate. It's used for fishing. It's heavy. It holds a lot of gas (seems to be 40gal) has 3 batteries, anchor, trolling motor, etc. I'm putting the trolling motor on a plate for easy removal.

Currently I have a 24P Raker that has been dinged a few times by the previous owner. Didn't seem to curl the blade, but definitely made a mess of the edges. Had it cleaned up by the local shop.

Boat runs GPS 58mph at 6000rpm (21% slip.) This is with virtually no Bow lift.


The local shop here has nothing to try in the 24 or 25 pitch arena. 22 is the tallest he stocks. This means what I try, I have to buy. Unless he gets something on trade used.

I'm seriously considering the Fury. At the same pitch, compared to the Raker can I expect more bow lift? Less slip? Same RPM?

What else can you recommend? Different pitch? Different prop?

A diet? haha

Thanks

[Allyda]

I'd start with a 4 blade in the 23-24 pitch range depending on motor height and see how that does. An OMC Renegade or a Merc Trophy are good choices. Just stay away from the Shooter if ya can help it. I had one that came with my Shadow -worse prop I've ever owned. I have heard though if you have them worked they can do pretty well though.

[warriorcookie]

I should have mentioned I'm really mostly concerned about top end speed.

Is a four blade still the best choice for speed? Is this because it is such a heavy boat to get the bow up?

[Allyda]

The 4 blade will help you get the bow up. As for top end speed on most setups you may lose 1 to 4 mph depending on hull design, however on some hulls the 4 blade will actually out perform a 3 blade on top end. It all comes down to your hull design. Personally I just thought it would be a good starting point as it will help you get your bow up.

Trust me I know what it's like when you have to buy them to try them. I right now have over $1,600. in props I have to sell for they don't work well on my boat. One of them is a new ran only once Michigan 14 & 1/2 x 26p. vented 3 blade that has plenty of bow lift (see photos). This prop is in perfect condition if you know someone who is interested.
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[warriorcookie]

I imagine the 4 blade would have less slip too?


Seems there are plenty of renegades on fleabay. I'm thinking I'll grab a gade and a fury. Based on where I'm at with the raker, I'm thinking I'll order a 24p gade and a 25p fury... I'm open to some more advise on this.

[JohnR]

Renegade didn't work on my Starliner (also a heavy hull) with a 200 Looper. So far the Trophy has been the fastest with the Merc I put on. Ran the same with the 24 Trophy and 24 Mach 4 blade I have when I ran them on the Looper and they were both within 1 or 2 mph of my 24 Raker. I still have the 24 OMC Mach 4 sitting here if you're interested. The Raker also for that matter. How high are you running the prop? If I jacked my motor too high the prop can't carry the bow any I lose speed.

John

[Allyda]

I run mine very near to or piercing the surface. My best prop is a 28p. Hoss HPD which is designed to run this way. The Mach 4 you have, I don't remember what this is. Is it an over the hub, thru hub, or an over/thru hub?

If my memory is correct it's a thru hub 4 blade with heavy cupping. Also 24 isn't enough pitch for my setup. As you can see in the photos of my Michigan prop above it's very similar in cut to the Raker and even with the vents my holeshot is very poor and I'm all over my rev limiter with it at 26 pitch. My boat runs better with over the hub, or over/thru hub props in a large diameter (14.5" or 15") in a 27 to 30 pitch depending on the cut and number of blades.

As to advice on the two props you have selected. I think the Renegade will be a good choice. The Fury I don't know too much about however I am familiar with Merc's Tempest. However you must understand that with my boat I look for stern lift rather than bow lift due to her Tunnel Vee hull design, My boat has plenty of natural bow lift which is probably why the over the hub design in the larger diameters work better for me.

In selecting a prop diameter is just as important as pitch and rake. To get bow lift you want alot of aft rake. Rake is the amount the blades are swept backward (or forward & neutral for that matter) the blades are in relation to the hub. Cupping is also important for a good holeshot and extra bite throughout the rpm range. Cupping is the extra curl on the trailing edge of the blades. The Renegade has a decent amount of rake and cupping and in my opinion may make a better prop for your application than the Fury. The Renegade is also an over/thru hub design so you'll get a little more RPM's out of the engine on takeoff for a quicker holeshot. Most Renegades though are 13 & 1/2 in. diameter so this must be taken into consideration when selecting pitch. I have seen them in the larger 14 & 1/2 diameter but these were Stern Drive versions.

The Fury I'm just not that familiar with as it is a newer prop. Hopefully someone else who has experience with it will chime in and provide some input. So for now your on your own on this one, sorry.