Suzuki DF90 props

[BruceB]

Any idea where to get a Stainless or alloy four blader? None of the websites seem to stock the correct 14" dia only 13 "

[wavelength]

I'm looking for a replacement for a DF90 prop also. my wot revs are too high and need to go to 21inch I think from 19inch
Steel developments have SOLAS props but there are also these people. I've e mailed them and awaiting a reply.
http://www.propellersolutions.co.uk/products.htm
Any reason in particular for the 4 blader?

[BruceB]

Why not?
I ordered one today from Steel developments, 13.75 x 17 four blader.
I will sometimes carry diving kit and lifting this all onto the plane should be easier with four blades. If it works out all right I may get one for cruising (13.75 x 19) as well as they are supposed to be smoother. I am not really interested in flat out speed, more smooth economical cruising.

I'll see what happens as it wasn't that expensive for the alloy version to try, £130 delivered.
Let me know how you get on with yours and if it is any better or worse than genuine suzuki. I ceratinly found I couldn't improve on genuine yam K props with the old boat, even using stainless..

[wavelength]

what sort of WOT revs are you getting, ours are too high with a 19inch on a 6m destroyer

[BruceB]

I only get 5100 WOT with a DF90, don't understand how you get more than 5500 WOT with a slightly larger RIB unless it is very lightly set up?

[wavelength]

ooh no something amiss here. I'll pm ya and we can compare figures as we progress eh.

[BruceB]

Well I got and tried the four blader today and also tried my 19" dropped to 18" which came back yesterday. all cruising at approx 4300rpm

The original 19" Suzuki prop managed around 5200 WOT and about 30ish knots, cruise 24knots
The new 4 blade 17" manages around 5600 WOT and 28.5 knots. cruise 20knots
The repaired original 19" dropped to 18" now manages 5400 WOT and around 28 knots, cruise 22knots
I don't mind the 4 blader as I expect when the boat is loaded with four twinsets and divers this will be ideal but I think I will go back to 19" for cruising.
I suspect the weight of my boat is the difference as it is fairly loaded up with kit etc

[wavelength]

Hi Bruce
Not been able to do anything about mine as we have been called in to do some commercial work to cover for injured skipper (i.e. daughter who broke her shoulder downhill biking in the alps-silly !*! ) When I am eventually allowed back ashore I'll get a prop delivered. Oh well back to bobbing around, great fun really, nice big fast boat and they pay me to blast about in it although when you have seen one wind turbine you've seen them all!

[BruceB]

I talked to Steel developments and they are going to alter my 4 blader to 18" cheap cos its new.
I am also going to sell the 3 blade 18" prop and buy a new 19" so this is for sale for sensible offers. It is just back from getting repaired and set to 18" but there was no significant damage before the repair other than a couple of minor chips.
It doesn't seem worthwhile paying another £65 or so to reset it back to 19" so I will buy a new one and hopefully recover the £65 I just spent getting it sorted rather than pay a total of £130 and still end up with the prop I started with! I may even put the money towards a SS prop
Its only back a couple of days and travelled about 1 mile across the harbour testing yesterday.

[Leo]

If you got the new DF90 from Suzuki, Yamaha props wil also fit. I've tested a few and it works fine! Also the Yamaha props are better cupped and offer better range.