Cleaver prop on Pulsare?

[engineermike]

I've read up on props across the net and it seems like v-bottoms produce good bow lift on their own, so a cleaver-style prop would be preferrable to get the rear up. Why is it that most lean towards the Trophy and Tempest props on the Pulsare's, rather than the Cleaver?

Sorry if this is a newb question. I just bought BadBK's Pulsare a couple weeks ago.

Mike

 

[john lamon]

Congrats on the purchase, nice boat

 

[hotdaddy27]

Although the "expectation" is that a true v-hull has natural bow lift, the Pulsare (Checkmates as a whole) need the added bow lift of a trophy or tempest. Maybe due to their weight, I don't know.

Some things just don't make sense, but the numbers speak for themselves.

The Trophy Plus has been a great prop for me. I have a 29P Tempest waiting in for the lakes to defrost. LOL

Just remember, every boat is different, so never count a prop out until you give it a try!

and good luck.

 

[Check This]

Good Luck - You bought a beautiful boat and welcome to the site. As far as the props I am new at the checkate thing also but it seems that the 4 blade trophys do the trick.
H/D -- Your going to spin a 29?? Why shouldn't you be in the 25 range with that motor?? Maybe I am using the wrong prop??

 

[hotdaddy27]

Good Luck - ...H/D -- Your going to spin a 29?? Why shouldn't you be in the 25 range with that motor?? Maybe I am using the wrong prop??

Contrary to popular belief, the 300XS and 300X are quite different motors as far as set-up. I am currently spinning a 26 Trophy Plus to the limiter with ease. Remember, the XS is limited at 6400 and runs rich at 6200RPM. The 26 is a great all around prop for me. I use it for slalom skiing and still can pull low to mid 80's out of it.

The right Tempest for top end running is probably a 27-28 but I got a deal on the 29 so a bought it. I plan to run it and then send it out for a lab finish (maybe drop it down a pitch as well).

So to answer your question, yes, the 25 to 26 range (with 1.62's) is a good all around prop for my combo. For top end running I need the bigger wheel because the rev limiter is so dam low on this motor.

Of course, this is boating, so I may be completely off/washed up on this idea.

Last year I was spinning a labbed 28P Chopper II quite well, but it had terrible slip #'s and my top end was slower than my Trophy Plus. Not to mention the low end was horrible.

Unfortunately, this is not an exact science, so I will just keep on spending...I mean trying. LOL

To really mess things up, I plan to bump the rev limiter, lighten the fly-wheel, and add a diverter.

HD

 

[engineermike]

The Trophy Plus has been a great prop for me.

This is part of the reason I am confused. Apparently, many folks are happy with their Trophy Plus props, but when BADBK tried a 28P Trophy Plus on this boat, it went something like 16 mph (!) slower than a 28P Yammer T1 prop.

I couldn't find where anyone actually tried a Cleaver on the Pulsare. Just wondering if this was attempted.

Also, he gave me the kit that allows the use of Merc props on the Yamaha. Is there any particular Merc hub that this interchanges to?

Thanks!
Mike

 

[hotdaddy27]

This is part of the reason I am confused. Apparently, many folks are happy with their Trophy Plus props, but when BADBK tried a 28P Trophy Plus on this boat, it went something like 16 mph (!) slower than a 28P Yammer T1 prop.

I couldn't find where anyone actually tried a Cleaver on the Pulsare. Just wondering if this was attempted.

Also, he gave me the kit that allows the use of Merc props on the Yamaha. Is there any particular Merc hub that this interchanges to?

Thanks!
Mike

The hub that you have is called a "Flo-Torque". Basically, you can purchase any Mercury Prop that accepts the "Flo-Torque" Hub kit. You will see Props advertised as "Tempest Plus- Flo Torque Hub". That will work for you.

To my understanding the Trophy + 28P is a breed of its own. I think it has to due with blade area, but it differs significantly from the 27 and 26.
Also, isn't the T1 a three blade prop? That will change the operating RPM range.

I say give the Clever a try! Just make sure you post your results!

 

[merc245]

I borrowed a 23p clever from a friend just to try on my boat,starflite with 245hp and I believe 5.5 inch of setback at the time.It drop the nose and lifted the stern so much I felt like I was boating downhill all day!

 

[xsive]

This is part of the reason I am confused. Apparently, many folks are happy with their Trophy Plus props, but when BADBK tried a 28P Trophy Plus on this boat, it went something like 16 mph (!) slower than a 28P Yammer T1 prop.

I couldn't find where anyone actually tried a Cleaver on the Pulsare. Just wondering if this was attempted.

Also, he gave me the kit that allows the use of Merc props on the Yamaha. Is there any particular Merc hub that this interchanges to?

Thanks!
Mike

A cleaver would be hands down the worst prop you could ever try onthis boat. Don't waste your time.

Cleavers are designed to lift the stern on very light and fast boats with alot of lift like a single seat tunnel boat. The behave much like Merc 245 described. Trophy's and Tempest's carry weight better due to more rake in the blades and more blade area. A Fury works well, maybe even the best, on these boats as well.

A trophy or Tempest Plus will be a good choice. As far as the former owners experience... I don't know how he set the boat up, but bolting a new prop on and expecting similar performance to the old one is hit and miss. Different propellers respond differently to different engine heights. As an example, if your boat runs reasonably well with a Trophy and you put a Tempest on with out raising the engine 1/2-1 inch, you will probably find it is prone to chine walking and will be slower. If you adjust your engine height until you hit the sweet spot, (Or going beyond it and returning to it) you will probably find that is a slightly better all-round prop.

 

[alwaysredee]

When I bought my new powerplant(2006 Opti 150), I contacted direct to Merc Racing. After having a discussion w/ him and doing some more affordable reasearch on my own, he told me it's all about application. How you will be using the power is as important as how you apply it. If you've got enough power to begin with for launch, choose based on whether you want all-out top end or skiing/other versatility. He also told me (on the sly) that a Mich. Wheel Rapture was comparable (way cheaper) to the Tempest II performance. Size and pitch changes should let you find what you want, but choose wisely based on application.

Tom

 

[BADBK]

Mike-

The folks here also like the 4 blade trophy's because it eliminates some chine walk... a 3 blade prop will ALMOST ALWAYS be faster, but you have to drive the damn thang!! That's the fun part if you ask me...

I tried a 27P Trophy, 28P Trophy, 28 Bravo 1, 25P Yamaha T1, 29P TXP (woulda kicked ass with more power!! very stiff prop!) and 2 others.... can't remember... the T1 on it now, 29 down to 28P has been hands down the best! It's great out of the hole, good mid range and my fastest top end. 86.8 mph... I really really wanted to try a PRO ET or similar, but never found one "cheap" enough... If your buddy that has all the props has one, throw it on and let r eat! Randy also said a Drag 4 worked pretty well on the 21' Pulsares, but that was with a black mota... I know with the "right" meaning pure top end prop it has 90mph in it. The T1 on it I had worked twice to get where it is, they said they could take a little more on the inner part of the blade and maybe get another 2 mph, but it just wasn't worth it to me. 80 MPH all day, any time was good enough, especially because the water was usually too rough or the wife was with or ..... and I'd end up 60-70 cruising anyway. If you have a GOOD prop shop around go talk to them and see what they have in stock or for you to try. www.bassboatcentral.com has a bunch of guys running Yami VMAX's with all kinds of different props/setups and good info.

If you do add power, a 29+P TXP I think would be the ticket, or a 30P Bravo 1.

Good luck!!

 

[engineermike]

BK, do you remember the speeds and rpms with any of those prop's? Especially the 29P TXP?

Thanks

 

[BADBK]

29P TXP was only turning 5-5200....I think... around 72 mph. A lot of people run big TXP's on bass boats etc near 100mph... one of the stiffest/fastest 3-blades out there.

27/28 Trophy sucked out of the hole, but I didn't have a blowout ring which I hear helps a lot, but still top end was 76-78 with the 27 and only low 70's for the 28.

The 28 Bravo 1 was AWESOME out of the hole, had good throttle response, but topped out @ 80/5700rpm's

 

[engineermike]

If you do add power, a 29+P TXP I think would be the ticket, or a 30P Bravo 1.

I can get my hands on a 33P ET to test. I know it's too tall, but y'all think it's worth trying for a data point?

 

[BADBK]

Absolutely not. Could even damage the engine depending on how you run it. When you're full throttle, the Yami's expecting a certain rpm range 55-6100, if you are full throttle only turning 5k (if that with a 33P) it can cause the engine to run hot/rich/lean/etc and burn it out...

 

[engineermike]

Just an update. . .

Today, I took out the boat to practice driving through chine-walk. I wound up getting my personal best yet of 77.4 mph with the 28P Yamaha T1 at only 5700 rpm, but I had 4 people in the boat (2 were 250 lb guys).

I then swapped props with my friend and tried his 25P TXP OT4 4-blade. I figured it would have an outstanding holeshot but not that great on top. Well, it did jump out the water like a madman and accelerate great. The top speed was an identical 77.4 mph, but this time was at 6100 rpm (limiter), as I had only me and my wife in it. I also found it to be much more difficult to control, which could be due to the lighter weight.

Mike

 

[BADBK]

Gettin there Mike! I've heard of guys spinning the yami to 6300 with no problems too....

I've been looking for a new boat since you took mine away, what was I thinking??!! LOL, what can ya do. Might get back into a 2100 Pulsare, long deck this time I think though.

 

[engineermike]

Gettin there Mike! I've heard of guys spinning the yami to 6300 with no problems too....

I've been looking for a new boat since you took mine away, what was I thinking??!! LOL, what can ya do. Might get back into a 2100 Pulsare, long deck this time I think though.

I thought the limiter was at 6150? Hydrotec said they can raise it though...

I would have preferred a closed bow with a 300x, but yours was the closest I could find in my price range. I had been shopping the 21' Skater/Trick/Xtreme/etc... but was turned off by the low speed turning (I do 95% river), mid speed porpoising, and high price. For your riding conditions, it would probably be perfect though.

Is there any reason you never tried or recommended a Tempest Plus?


Mike

 

[BADBK]

Never tried Tempest cause I figured it wouldn't be much different from the Yami T1... they're out there a dime a dozen for a couple hundred $$$.

I still want a Skater/Trick/Xtreme... need to find someone with one to go for a ride first. The one on S&F in ontario ain't bad for $28K, but the high maintenance 260 and ugly paint kills it... I'm trying to fight off that redone 24' w/twins for $35K!!!

 

[engineermike]

...I still want a Skater/Trick/Xtreme... need to find someone with one to go for a ride first. The one on S&F in ontario ain't bad for $28K, but the high maintenance 260 and ugly paint kills it... I'm trying to fight off that redone 24' w/twins for $35K!!!

I thought the paint looked cool! But...I talked to the owner of Trick and he said to stay away from the pre-1990 Skaters due to wood rot issues.