I just bought a 2016 Excel
Bay Pro 203 aluminum boat with a DF140 Suzuki. The engine is setting on the transom since I haven't decided if I want to use a jack plate. The dealer installed a Solas Rubex NS3 13x21 prop. I thought the prop was going to be too small but the dealer asked me to try the combo before we did something different. Suzuki recommends a 14x? in the engine literature. I put the boat into KY Lake Wednesday after we had rigged it with 3 Trojan 1275golf cart batteries(under the center console), a crank
battery, a separate battery for my Humminbird electronics, 30 gallons of fuel, and a typical fishing load of trolling motor, etc. I ran the boat 2 hours at 0-3500rpms, then 1 hour at 0-4500 per dealer. After the hour at 4500rpm, it was recommended to push it up to wide open no more and a minute or so. When I throttled up from 4500rpm, the engine revved up high enough to hit the rev alarm. This is my 1st 4 stroke engine after 30+ years of 2 strokes. The engine noise is quite less but there was no
doubt the engine revved up. I was in choppy conditions with the trim all the way down. I decided to put it on the trailer and start the process of getting the correct prop. The dealer insists the 13 is correct diameter but I think I need much more blade and probably more pitch. The Excel 203 weighs 1550 bare hull. I am a crappie guide and the boat will see 3-5 people , tackle and 30 gallons of fuel and water in the livewells on a daily basis. I am hoping the dealer is cooperative on swapping
props but I'm looking for guidance as to where to start on prop diameter and pitch. The 203 is a 15 degree deadrise with the "Exceleration Pad Hull".
Thanks for any help.
Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 2781
If you talk to a suzuki mechanic, they will always tell you to run a 14 inch diameter prop, as that is the diameter of suzuki brand props.
However, not every boat likes the large diameter props, just depends on what you want. The larger diameter props will probably cruise a little better, with heavier loads and slower cruise speeds. the smaller
diameter props will often be faster on top end. But there is a lot more variables beyond diameter....
From your description of how you plan to use the boat, you might like the larger diameter a little better. Pitch will just depend on speed, (with the load you actually run)
What speed did you get when you were on the limiter? What RPM did the limiter kick in?
Before you chose a different prop, I'd probably give it a run loaded up like you plan to run it. (4
people, baitwells full, fuel, some gear etc...) See what the RPM and GPS speed does with a real load.
Ken Reeves [email protected] 941-735-5808
Comment
Probie
Join Date: Dec 2015
Posts: 6
My day on the water I
mentioned in the OP was for break in and to shake the boat down for any other issues.I only throttled it up once and for just a few seconds. The tach has rev-warning alarm on it and it went off. I'm not sure what rpm that would be. I'm assuming 6500 or so. My speed was just barely over 40mph.
Since my post I've tried a couple different props. I ran a Power Tech 14x23 4 blade that was way too big. Slow holeshot and only 5400 rpm at max throttle and trim. Speed around 43mph. I borrowed a
14x21 Trophy 4 blade with the interchangeable hub kit. Ends up the Suzuki 4 stroke hub kit and Mercury kit for 90HP Merc are the same. I had a prop guy check everything and he gave it a go. With full load of fuel, 5 batteries, both livewells full of water and just me it will turn 6200 rpm at as much trim as I could get before it started porpoising. The holeshot was quick with the medium prop plugs installed and midrange was rock solid. I think I'm going to have to resign myself that this boat is
set up so heavy that carrying the nose high is not going to happen. Top speed at 6200 and all the trim it would take before porpoising, it ran 47 mph on the GPS. This prop is a spare that a friend has and is for sale.
The dealer I bought the boat from has ordered a Power Tech 3 blade 13.5x22 for me to try. The folks at Power Tech said it should work great. We'll see later in the week.
Comment
Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 2781
We'll see how the new Powertech runs.
If you really like the Trophy, obviously get your friends, but Powertech also has the TRO4, which is basically a copy of the Trophy Plus.
