Prop help needed.

[belsh]

Hello everyone. I'm a new boat owner and have just registered.

I have just bought a 1989 Carver Montego 2157 cabin cruiser. It has a Volvo Penta AQ151C petrol sterndrive.

I'm after a new prop as the existing has great big lumps missing off it!

I sailed her back from Reading, all the way down the Thames and up the east coast to Harwich this weekend and whilst she went well, the engine overheated at top revs.

I'd like a prop that optimises seagoing performance. Can anyone help?

Thanks in advance.

Belsh

 

[carlton]

Although I have no personal experience of them, these people come highly recommended by several forumites on here...

http://www.steeldevelopments.co.uk/Steel_Developments_Propellers.html

As you will see, they repair existing props, so that could be a lower cost option.

 

[Davy_S]

Ok ,not much of a help I know (but I is very busy at the mo) try the American sites, we had a prop for a Volvo AQ154b shipped for half the price of ANY uk suppliers. Try a google, you will save squids!

 

[Kilter]

Hello everyone. I'm a new boat owner and have just registered.

I have just bought a 1989 Carver Montego 2157 cabin cruiser. It has a Volvo Penta AQ151C petrol sterndrive.

I'm after a new prop as the existing has great big lumps missing off it!


Belsh

Steel developments, as linked above, do an excellent job of refurbing even very badly damaged props. No interest in the company, just a very satisfied customer!

 

[Elessar]

....... do an excellent job of refurbing even very badly damaged props.

They only need a 1/3 of the blade left to be able to repair it.

 

[Elessar]

............and whilst she went well, the engine overheated at top revs.

Check, in this order:

your raw water strainers
your impellor
the inside of your heat exchanger

You will have probably found the fault by then, if not re post.

 

[AndieMac]

Once you have the prop repaired and sort out the over heating problem, go for a run and take note of the speed at 3000, 3200 and 3400 rpm's and then at WOT (wide open throttle), again speed and rpm's.

Post all the data on here, with the dimensions of the prop, and the guys could probably advise/help with how the prop rates, as far as being suitable for what you intend to do.

Worse case is if you need one with a different pitch etc. the original can be a spare.

 

[BartW]

Hi,

I'm not so sure if repairing your old prop is the best option,

first you should cure the overheating problem re advice from elessar

then I would go to a local dealer that allows you to test some different props, 3blade / 4 blade, different pitch, and you buy the best performing prop for your boat.
During the years the behaviour of the boat might have changed due to changings of weight and or hull condition, etc.
So it would not be abnormal if you have to change prop model.

I don't know your technical skills, but one day you might need a local dealer / service company for maintenance, advice or help anyway, So
Try to find one now, make friends with them, have the guy's helping you to sort out the overheating problem and new prop type and spend this time some extra money on a new prop.

From experience I know that an immaculate prop on a sterndrive is very important. I have no experience with the repairing of props, but have doubts that these high performance / shape optimised sterndrive props can be repaired to 100% performance.

I know that shaft drive props are not so sensitive for small changings as sterndrive props.

later you could alway's have the old prop repaired, and keep it as a spare, and compare the performance...

good luck with boat !

 

[Stoneness]

My experience with boats moored on rivers like the Thames is that matter such as silt (at least that's how I think it is spelt ) builds up in heat exchangers, pipes, etc. A good flush out might help the over heating.
Please remember that propellers are designed for a given set of circumstances and what may be on your boat may not have been designed for it. The pitch, diameter, speed and BAR all need to be considered. Check the original spec. for the prop. if you can, as (apart from corrosion, collision and hungry fish) losing bits off the blades could be down to cavitation at incorrect speeds.

 

[oldgit]

While you are at it

Right at the back where the exhaust gas leaves the engine will be iron casting which is internally cooled with water exiting from the engine block.
This has a nasty habit of its water channels blocking up with scale/rust/crud.
Smptoms would be temps OK at low revs but temps rising when insufficiant water is getting through when engine working hard.
Also would get that prop repaired at Steel D. before setting off on any wild goose chase regards different size/pitch props.
Ebay is full of odd sized "lets try this one and see if we are quicker" props and at £200 quid a go,thats a tank full of fuel...................

 

[belsh]

Thanks all.

Some really great help here, thanks a lot

 

[PCUK]

I would ignore advice about whether Steel Developments can repair a prop' to top performance or not. They have been doing this for at least 35 years now so they must be doing something right!!!