raker question

[capnzee]

I can't seem to post and I am logged in capnzee

[capnzee]

OK, I seem to be logged in now and will go ahead with my question. I have a 14 1/2" X 24" raker propeller. I have heard that this propeller, built for OMC engines will fit on my 200 HP Black Max (Merc). I donot want to chance "wiping out" my lower unit but would like to try this prop. My problem is, I cannoit get over 74 mph out of my 1984 Sleekcraft SST.// The boat is heavy but I hear of Sleeks running in the 80's with standard set-ups. I have the B-Max mounted on a 10 inch set-back with the prop shaft 2 1/2 inches below the center pod. I have tried Yamaha Drag props (copies) from 24 inch to 26 inch and several of Minnesota Randy's "best" 26 inch wheels. My rpms have varied from 6200 to 6800 (Randy's) but speed has remained at or very near the 74 mph mark. When I attempt to trim the engine out, the rrr's go up and the speed goes down. I run best with a very little trim out but there is nearly 1/3rd of the bottom wet. I have seen Sleeks run with only a few feet of the center pod on the water and speeds in the low to mid 80's with a "standard" type set-up very much like mine. One in particular is running a Raker like mine, only with an OMC turning it. He is getting 80 plus on the GPS
turning 6400 rpms and is set-up about like I am. Both of our boats have "saddle" tanks, standard seating and weigh in at about 1200 lbs without the engine. Question: Is the OMC Raker that much superior??? Thanks for any reliable response as I have tried all summer to get over the 74 mark and finally dropped the engine down a couple of inches and settled for a few mph less and acceptable handling qualities. Capnzee

[1badboat]

Cap, first to answer your question on the raker fitting the Merc. Yes it will BUT you nee to have some minor machine work done to the barrel of the prop. If you look at the prop the part that goes into the LU you will see a place on the prop that looks like it has been milled down smaller. You will need to have that cut back more to it will not rub on your LU housing. You can slide the prop on and see where it is rubbing and you will know where and how much to have milled down.
As far as the props you are running now it sounds like you have alot of slippage. You need to have some cup put in the prop. I've had props that the slippage was so bad it wasn't even funny after I worked the prop and played with the cup area the prop would lift better and wouldn't slip as much. The prop would hook up and do what it needed to do. One of Ron's Hoss Triton copys with some cup added to it might work real well on your boat.

[capnzee]

Thanks for the reply! I knew the props were not running very efficiently, but thought it was the boat. We used to run props we called "elephant" ears, maybe that is where I need to go. I definitely need more blade area. Got more out of this thread than I did on ....., Capnzee