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Want to buy-Propeller Fish Nautique - but stumped.

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jmesser View Drop Down
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    Posted: June-25-2022 at 1:14am
As some of you know I have been putting a Fish Nautique together from a box of parts. I am close to putting the engine/drive train in but I don't have a prop. Research tells me this 1986 FN came with a 14x11LH 1 1/8shaft. I am upgrading to a PCM GT40 so I'll have some extra HP over what it came with... So the question, do I just try to get a 14x11? After discussions on a few forums, tech talk in person at 2 shops and a few calls to "specialist".....I'm stumped. I have been advised to find a 14x11, then advised that is wrong and always was and to get a 13x11. Another said 14x13 with the GT40. A very reputable ski boat parts shop said ACME515 is the correct prop and CNC is the way to go. ..... I've got options with all and wanted some opinions as to what you would put on her. Some tech info- 23ft, 8ft beam, 36" draft, 4000lbs, PCM GT40 351 (320hp), WOT4800rpm. I welcome your expertise. ...I'm leaning toward the ACME515 to be honest.
Johnnie Messer
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote KENO Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June-25-2022 at 5:41am
I think what you really have for an engine unless you bought a third engine, is a 285 ish HP normal rotation  93/94 model year 351 that has a carburetor and gets that extra power from having GT40 heads on it...........not a fuel injected 310 ish HP gt40 engine.And has a 1 to 1 transmission (a protec engine converted to a distributor). That's based on the link below.

link

I think that the Acme 515 is too much prop.

I also think that I would need to do some thinking about what you need.

I also think that TRBenj or someone will probably come along with a good recommendation, while I'm still thinking Wink
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Fl Inboards Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June-25-2022 at 12:58pm
If you have a prop that falls close to your goals or even just makes the boat go run it, take notes, get a base line and go from there.
If you are truly running a GT-40, reminder that engine is a left rotation engine and not what came stock in a fish.
Hobby Boats can be expensive when the hobbyist is limited on their own skill and expertise.




1993 Shamrock "fat" 20. 2008 Nautique 196 5.0
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote KENO Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June-25-2022 at 1:18pm
Well, after thinking about this for a while I'll throw out my recommendation (AKA wild a** guess).

Considering that your engine is pushing around the equivalent of a heavily loaded wakeboard/surf boat and the engine I think you have being around 285 ish HP, a good starting point might be to look into an Acme 911 prop if you're wanting an Acme..

The 911 specs are 13" diameter x 10.5" pitch with .080 cup for a 1 1/8 shaft LH rotation

There's also the Acme 1231 13'diameter x 11 inch pitch with .080 cup for a 1 1/8 shaft LH rotation

Keep in mind that it's hard to compare Acme numbers with the numbers  for older style props like the 14x11  due to efficiency differences.

You want something that won't lug the engine and will let it operate at or near it's max RPM at full throttle (or at least in the middle of it's range), not lugging it along at a few hundred  RPM below it's full throttle range

I'd also keep in mind that you should bounce this off some others and find a place that will let you test and return a prop if necessary Wink
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote KENO Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June-25-2022 at 1:23pm
Originally posted by Fl Inboards Fl Inboards wrote:

If you have a prop that falls close to your goals or even just makes the boat go run it, take notes, get a base line and go from there.
If you are truly running a GT-40, reminder that engine is a left rotation engine and not what came stock in a fish.

He doesn't have a prop (that turns the right way) now and it's a LH engine.

Click on the link a couple of posts back 

And on this link too


Maybe you have something hangin' around that you can lend him or trade for the RH prop that he has. Wink
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote KENO Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June-25-2022 at 9:30pm
Johnnie

You might want to send jblocal a PM and compare engines and notes on his prop that he seemed to like a lot.

He used a 13x11.5 Acme RH prop since his engine rotated "the other way" and he seemed happy.

I think it was before he put gt40P heads on the engine

The Acme 13x11-5 LH 1 1/8 props are a 525 and a 653. Different cup on the 2 props.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Fl Inboards Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June-26-2022 at 10:05am
I have a 20' Shamrock, 5.7 Indmar and 1:1. Run a 13X13 LR OJ  on it. not apples to apples and not a 23' fish.
most everything prop wise i have left are for late model ski nautique and race props for my flat.
back in the day at correct craft i installed a GT-40 in our photo boat with the 123:1. If memory serves me we ran a 14X14 RR federal 3 blade on it.

Hobby Boats can be expensive when the hobbyist is limited on their own skill and expertise.




1993 Shamrock "fat" 20. 2008 Nautique 196 5.0
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Gary S Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June-26-2022 at 12:07pm
Narrow or wide body Jody? If I remember right if you buy direct from Acme don't they offer to exchange if their recommendations are wrong? as long as you don't damage it..... 
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Gary S Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June-26-2022 at 12:12pm
Oops never mind  see it in your signature line....
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote GottaSki Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June-27-2022 at 8:39am
pffft acme 515, egad that was some bad advice they gave 
"There is nothing, absolutely nothing, half so much worthwhile as messing around with boats...simply messing."

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote jmesser Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June-30-2022 at 1:55pm
Well I went with the ACME 1231 (13X11)... I hope to be in the water within 2 weeks and I'll send back a report.

I sincerely thank you all for providing your insight!
Johnnie Messer
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote jmesser Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May-09-2023 at 9:45pm
Ok, she is in the water. Runs so smooth.

https://photos.google.com/share/AF1QipNXbZ18AnXdDBD26zeXZB2tY20G3UpCmlMU67dd0VOjoID7sznGZXGHs9AVd7pyPQ?key=N3JLdEF6ZEZhdjlWNjYwZjBZZ1g0RmV4cDVvR3pB

So I went with the ACME 1231 as discussed above. The engine is tuned, aligned, new cutlass, new shaft packing and rudder packing. I have played with her for 3hrs in rough water. I am still getting used to the walk, I assumed it would be more pronounced to the right (back down). 
For planing speed, she runs right up on plane with no lag at all. The tach is from a Moomba gauge cluster. At 3800ish RPM the Phone GPS shows 21mhp (18.5kts). I believe that may be off. The engine did not feel like it was near 4K, but to me it felt like 3k. But I am basing that off years of seat time in Ski Nautiques, American Skiers and Master Crafts. 

More to come. But I truly welcome any thoughts on what you see thus far. 

What do I desire- Since I'm not a speed freak, I like response at slow speeds. A good prop to keep me about 2500rpm for 20kts? I don't know if it is doable on a 4500lb boat. 

I'm rambling now....
Johnnie Messer
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote KENO Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May-10-2023 at 7:23am
I'd get a timing light with a built in tachometer to figure out your engine speed as step #1.

Something like an Innova 3568  works good, costs about 75 bucks. There are other brands and choices, just be sure you're getting something with the tach feature Wink
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote DayTony Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May-10-2023 at 9:32am
Hi, previous fish owner.
She was a bit moist and on the heavier side and was a mess when i found her. But I also went through the whole prop debacle.
I Ultimately landed on an acme 524. Which worked great for me. I tried to look up my numbers but i have mph and kts crossed up in all my notes. So cant be positive on what im giving you for numbers.
When i first put it on i wasnt getting all the rpms i wanted but it turned out to be a timing and tuning issue.
But she was in the mid to upper 30s wot and a great crusie rpm. Sorry i cant be more specific in numbers it was many years ago.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote GottaSki Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May-10-2023 at 9:57am
I suspect you need a big block to get even close to 20 knts at 2500 and still have healthy wot rpm
Power needs rpms to exist

As you work this out dont stress about higher rpms, consider the throttle response and higher vacuum under cruise.
There are advantages more spin, less loading per power pulse.  Wont be saving magical a amount of fuel neither by lugging it with less vacuum. 

A little reserve gearing will be helpful when you add a couple people, fuel, and ice for the day
"There is nothing, absolutely nothing, half so much worthwhile as messing around with boats...simply messing."

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