Prop talk. We talk about all the improvements we saw with the new prop

[@paulwaldrop2262]

I'm glad you did a Prop er video on this subject. :D Have a great New Year to the Channel Surfing crew.

[@Letsgochannelsurfing]

Happy new years!!

[@danielsalazar8835]

Very interesting. We completed SE Alaska cruise 3 years ago and 2 months ago completed America's great loop (highly recommend) in our Proline 251wa On both trips, I was challenged by either having to go slow (7 mph @ 3+ mpg) or fast (30 mph @ 1.5 mpg) with our 3 blade 12-15 mph resulted in very poor fuel efficiency. The 4 or 5 blade prop might be the solution provided it is a single one-piece prop. Not a 3 piece that can fall apart! BTW, our 6000-mile loop cruise resulted in a 15K fuel bill. 3000 gal @ $5) This included Canada.

[@Letsgochannelsurfing]

I have 68 engine hours so far with the 3 piece prop and she's not fallen apart. Plus, PowerTech is making the exhaust barrels in different lengths to allow customers to mix and match to try out variations. We went through 2000 gallons on our SE Alaska trip with an average fuel cost of $5.90/gal (Canada, SE Alaska, both had some really far out fuel docks that were up to $7/gal.) I'm hoping gas prices come down before our next trip to Alaska.

[@danielsalazar8835]

A couple suggestions on your next SE Alaska trip Le Conte Glacier (shorter day run) and Anan Wildlife CTN Outstanding a must see Besure and get permits in advance.

[@danielsalazar8835]

​@@Letsgochannelsurfing Think about the great loop The Ranger Tug 27 is the most popular boat next to a Mainship 39 Shipping cost from Newport Beach to Mobile Alabama was $3300. one way.

[@Letsgochannelsurfing]

We did visit La Conte glacier. Well, we tried to get close. The ice flow blocked the entrance and we had a lot of fog that day as well. But we spent a day looking at the icebergs off La Conte. We should have booked the tour and kept our boat at the marina. kzbin.info/www/bejne/hmLOXmaZarmWrqs

[@Letsgochannelsurfing]

We've considered the Great Loop. The Big Chute would be our highlight!! I'd need a punch-card as I'd ride that both ways, all day. Weeeeeeee. 😂 kzbin.info/www/bejne/bWbYkHqtmZuZgs0

[@philOKC]

Interesting update shipmate. Happy New Year!

[@Letsgochannelsurfing]

Thanks for the well wishes. Happy New Year!

[@ericerven5456]

Great info Thanks

[@Letsgochannelsurfing]

Thanks for watching!

[@OutOnTheReef]

Hello cap. Been watching your videos about prop. And I did research for my 4.2 liter Yamaha and the best prop I found for fuel economy was the the 3 blade 15.75 by 15 pitch but in your case your boat is heavier and longer then mine, and like you my most inportan out of a prop is fuel economy. Sharrow is too expensive and not worth it me too cap. Navigate safe cap.

[@Letsgochannelsurfing]

Thanks for watching and the feedback. Generally speaking, a 3 blade prop will usually provide the best MPG. More blades equals more friction, which usually will take away top end speed and take some fuel efficiency away. The challenge is to blend the features without negatively affecting fuel efficiency too much. While it's true that fuel efficiency is really important for costs and extended range, the mid range is really important also. I need to be able to operate between 11 and 19 mph without breaking the bank. That 3 blade SWSII prop sinks into the hole, gets .9mpg and just plows the water. Our boat is stern heavy with a 600lbs outboard hanging off the back transom with all that leverage pulling the stern down, plus all the gear we bring onboard.

[@OutOnTheReef]

That is true cap. .9 mpg with that fuel consumption I would be broke But I see why is inportan to get better fuel economy cap. Thanks for the reply, navigate safe.

[@SolarBurrito]

Great explanation of props. Been boating for 20 years, still searching for the perfect. Also like the SW series 2. Didn’t get the right Powertech pitch so wasted $600

[@Letsgochannelsurfing]

I know what you mean! Prop selection can be a bit of a black art, but sometimes a new prop can make a big difference.

[@jerrybalamucki4621]

Great discussion. Question: At beginning of video, you were blown away by seeing 1.9 mpg in 2 ft chop with 4 blade modified and exhaust extension. Unfortunately, extension & diffuser were lost shortly afterwards, which apparently forced a stop to testing of 4 blade with exhaust extension/diffuser. Is it possible 4 blade modified with exhaust extension would return better fuel economy than 5 blade and still give all other low/mid speed advantages over stock prop?

[@Letsgochannelsurfing]

It's possible.. I never went back to re-test the OFS4 because above 20mph, it's the same 1.4mpg prop that I've ran 350+ engine hours with. The SCE5 puts me into 1.5mpg in the upper range. I did a run with the SCE5, without any exhaust extension on it. Nothing. (I called it "Stubby"). Just the prop nut and cotter pin completely exposed. I have a data sheet from this testing. I just didn't publish it because it's not a configuration I'd ever run with. The upper band (>4000rpm) was similar with or without the modification. The mid-range was 1.34mpg to 1.58mpg and steering the boat was noticeably stiffer. With the modification the mid range went to 1.7mpg and steering was easy in the midrange. The 2 foot chop I was in with the OFS4 modified, was taken on the beam, which is unusual for me to be in. Usually I'm hitting the waves head on which is bumpy. Taking them on the beam was not lumpy, just made the boat roll port to starboard as the waves came in and the boat rolled over them sideways, the period between the waves actually made for a nicer ride. What I think might be interesting to try, is a PowerTech SCE 4 blade with the modification. The OFS and SCE are different blade geometry, but both are targeting stern lift.

[@rickdoll7220]

Interesting info. Thanks. I normally don't boat if the waves are over 1 1/2' in the intra coastal waters in Florida and I prefer to run at about 20 mps. Which prop would you recommend for me in a R-27? I was thinking it would be the 4 blade.

[@Letsgochannelsurfing]

The SCE5 Modified has been the best overall, all around prop that I've found. I don't go out into 2 foot waves. Most of our cruising is actually on flat water as illustrated by most of our cruising videos. Even in SE Alaska, most of our cruising was on flat seas.