For Ollyit, Nos4r2, and other Searider 4 meter owners

[boatster_sr4]

Just wanted to share a major improvement I've experienced with my SR4. I recently put on a 14 pitch 10 1/4" SS Raptor Michigan Wheel propeller on my Tohatsu 50. My boat now does 38 mph vs 34 mph with the stock Tohatsu 13 pitch 10 1/4" Alu prop. This is within mfg spec rpm range of 5400-5800 rpms. I plan on raising my motor 1 hole on the transom as well. I've been told this will bring rpms up another 2-3 hundred. My main goal is increased fuel economy but increased hole shot would be welcome.

I also have the Nauticus trim tabs. I'm using the 30 lb actuators. Anyone using the 40lb? How do they work?

Stats on your props & speed & hole shot experience would be greatly appreciated. I'm just curious to see how our configurations vary.

Boatster

EDIT: Oh and my outboard runs quieter and smoother with the new SS prop as well.

[Nos4r2]

Cool! I was thinking about getting a 14" ally prop for mine and polishing/sharpening/balancing/'tuning' it to see what kind of difference it makes-or getting a 4 bladed variable pitch. Sounds like I should get on and do it. I've got a 13 pitch on there at the moment, no tabs and a flap-type thing on my flooding hull to slow the flooding so holeshot is better after tight turns etc.


Have you still got the flooding hull? I'm curious to know how fast it drains with the nauticus tabs on-mine is VERY rapid draining without tabs as the bow points skyward-do the tabs effect this?

[boatster_sr4]

I do have the flooding hull. I prefer it when the boat is at rest, it doesn't bob about. It also takes a bit longer to get onto plane with the SS prop but not by much. The tabs actually help my boat pop up much faster than without them. The way my boat is balanced it would take forever to pop up without the trim tabs. I've got a SS bench seat and a 19 gallon fuel tank at the rear.

[Nos4r2]

Thats why I didn't seal mine off completely-I didn't want to bob about that much either.It takes about 10 seconds to fill now rather than 2 or 3 and the difference is really noticeable when you're in heavy seas and have trouble getting on the plane.

I've got 12 gallons in the console and another 6 going to go in either the bow or stern-and I'm guessing you've seen my layout in the pics on here and iboats. Sounds like I might HAVE to buy the tabs-but I'm going to play with an ebay prop 1st when I can find one.

BTW whats the weight of your tohatsu compared with my merc/mariner thing?

[boatster_sr4]

Nos4r2,

That is a good idea for the flap thing. Did you just rig one up yourself? I would love to see a pic if possible. Do you think it would help if stopping briefly and then accelerating off? It would be great to limit the water coming in from a brief deceleration then back up to speed.

EDIT: My Tohatsu weighs 170lbs. It has power tilt.

I would highly recommend getting the Nauticus tabs. They make the boat ride
a world better. I was out in rough stuff one day running with an 18 ribcraft and we were handling the rough stuff and keeping up with them no problem. Without the tabs I know for a fact we wouldn't last. Before putting them on the boat would bob and pitch like crazy. The ride was rediculous compared to now.

[Nos4r2]

Originally Posted by boatster_sr4

Nos4r2,

That is a good idea for the flap thing. Did you just rig one up yourself? I would love to see a pic if possible. Do you think it would help if stopping briefly and then accelerating off? It would be great to limit the water coming in from a brief deceleration then back up to speed.

That's exactly what it does. Not got a pic yet (boat isnt here) but all it is is 2 layers of hypalon glued together to make it a bit stiffer and a 3rd strip across the top so there's a bit more surface area to glue it on with. The flap is about 2/3 of an inch bigger than the flooding hull hole-and all it's held on with is inflatable boat adhesive which seems to do the job admirably and doesnt mean drilling into the transom.Yeah I made it myself using a small roll of hypalon from our 'local' chandlers.

<edit>

just read your edit-if they make that much difference I'll have to get some now they are available over here. Do they make any difference to the pitching sideways at high speed as you hit waves?

[boatster_sr4]

I'm not sure about hitting waves broadside at speed. They do act as shock absorbers though. They really do even out the ride front to back and sideways. I would most definitely say they were the single best improvement to my boat over anything else I've done. I tinker alot with my boat too. Since adding the tabs, trimming the motor hasn't been necessary most of the time.

I think I'm going to add that rear flap though. That sounds CRACKING!!

BTW I'm using the 30lb actuator for the Nauticus tab but am curious what 40lbs would do. If too much force the tabs will actually drag the speed down though. They are adjustable a little too. Just an fyi.

[Nos4r2]

I still haven't fitted my power trim/tilt yet-I've only just had the last of the bits arrive to finish the job and I've got a few odd bits I'll have to make to get it to the standard I want. That and a set of tabs.Think I'll try the 30lb actuators 1st then-though the guy that sells them here just does it by size/hp of boat. The guy selling them over here doesn't want much over the US price either which is really cool-we usually pay 4 times what you guys do. I could afford to run twin 150 2strokes on your gas prices...!

[boatster_sr4]

The tabs aren't really made of much. If they tried charging 4 times you could easily go out and fabricate a set for about the same as what we pay. Pretty much four brackets, bunch of self tappers, SS hinge bits, SS plates, and two gas struts. But of course buying all the bits pre fabbed is worth paying a few extra $$.

I hear ya on the gas prices. Its all relative I guess. I'm stilly trying to pinch every ounce of gas economy I can get. You can blame it on the optimizing engineer in me.

BTW I don't know if Iboats ships to the UK or what duties might be but I purchased my SS prop for $100 from them. If you could purchase one from the website you'd probably still make out like a bandit even with the shipping charges. Or just look on Ebay I guess. Alls I can say is for me the SS prop is the 2nd best improvement on my boat thus far.

I'm off to late lunch. Have a great evening.

[Kernow Buoy]

BTW I don't know if Iboats ships to the UK

Sadly not, but fortunately have a relation in Florida who posted on a Michigan wheel prop for me