BigBendFishing.Net

Hi All
I have a 2006 186 Key West Bay Reef. Basically it is factory, I have a stainless three blade prop, and the problem is when I have 2 or three people on board and a full live well, the boat will just barely get up on plane. It certainly will not get up on plane with the engine tilted up at all.

I have a Yamaha 115 4 stroke with a Stiletto 13 1/2 X 17 SS prop on the boat now,

I noticed that Tin Can sold a 186 Key West with a 4 blade prop, (I think it was a Flats Master IV) I was wondering if anyone has any info on this prop and if this would help the hole shot for this boat.

Thanks YB-Normal

YB, it was a Turbo, Flats IV. It did help the hole shot. But I really didn't have a hole shot problem anyway. The boat came with a Yamaha, Black, 19 pitch stainless prop. The black stainless isn't much different than an aluminum. What stainless are you running?

You also have to consider the added weight of 2 people, and their gear, and 40 gallons of water in the bait well. Try re distributing some weight. Move some forward and see if that helps.

BTW, I now have a 115 4 stroke. It doesn't have near the bottom end torque the 2 stroke had.

If you consider the Flats IV, drop to a 15 pitch.

Thanks Tin Can,
I was hoping that you would reply, I am currently running the factory
Stiletto 13 1/2 X 17 Stainless Steel. Great looking prop but just don't have the get out of the hole power at all.

When I have three people in the boat with a full livewell they have to walk forward past the center console for the boat to get up on plane. The boat has plenty of top end speed, about 42 trimed up, I think I could sacrifice some top end speed if it wasn't more that a few MPH
I went back to the boat dealer here,, They were no help,,, They just give me the palms up salute and said they don't know,, So I guess it's up to me to find a solution.

rs
YB-Normal

How many RPM are you turning at WOT? Does it blow out during the hole shot, or does it labor during the hole shot? If it's laboring, look on the prop hub. There are three 1/4" holes, one just ahead of the leading edge of each blade. Drill them out to 3/8". Those holes are there to introduce air around the blades during the hole shot, and allow a little bit of slippage, to get the RPM up. If that doesn't solve your problem, look into a plate. I would suggest the Bob's plate. Wevans is using one, and is very happy with it. If that doesn't solve the problem, put a set of wedges between the motor and the transom. The wedges will tuck the motor further under when trimmed all the way down. Bob's has them, too.

http://www.bobsmachine.com

I'm running a 13 1/4 X 19 Stilletto right now. It blows out. I just added a bunch of cup to mine.

How many times have I heard that from " new " four stroke outboard owners. Those four strokes lack that kick in the but hole shot. Little boat and a lotta folks ( weight ) I do not think a prop will fix that problem. I also think the dealer knows that as well .
Hey, I am rebuilding a small boat as we speak ( 18' ) so please dont feel that I am bashing. I did however buy a two stroke evinrude for it and am staying a way from those fours.

Should have gotten an ETEC.

Just Kidding,

I think it is just the amount of weight. I had an 18' basstracker with a 115 Optimax and with four people and a full load it had a hard time getting on plane and its a lighter boat than yours. This was part of the reason for getting my new boat. 18' is a good two person boat to me but I think the manufactorers weight ratings are a little off for most smaller boats. Yea, they are rated to carry 4 passengers or 750 lbs but it will be a max load and the performance is going to suffer severely.

My 216 with a full load, 80 gals of fuel and four people takes a few seconds longer to get on plane also. It still gets on plane pretty easily but of course you know what is on the back of it. I notice a difference in my boats performance with just a half a tank of fuel versus a full tank. Think about what 40 gals of fuel weighs. Don't know for sure but I would bet 40 gals of fuel is more than 250 lbs. That will make a significant difference in performance. At least more of a difference than a different prop.

Just thought I would give an honest, non professional opinion.

So, how ya bean?

How is the boat doing? (other than the weight problem)

I am enjoying mine when I get to use it. Spent this weekend over at Lake Eufaula. Man it was a nice weekend on the water. Didn't catch a lot but the lake was pretty and calm.

Catch ya later,

I know I'm not comparing apples to apples, but our little 15 4-stroke Suzuki has more low end torque than any 15 2-stroke I've ever run. In fact I've been having problems with the stock aluminum props getting trashed way too easily. Have never had problems with aluminum props holding up before to our use. Talked to a couple local prop shops and they both say it's due to the low end torque of the 4-stroke. Personally I don't think the 4-stroke is the issue, it's the Yamaha sticker on the cowling that is. I've talked with a number of Yamaha 4-stroke owners in the 115-175 range and none of them seem very happy with their performance. Talk to Suzuki 4-stroke owners with comparable sized engines and they mostly seem to love their engines. As someone currently looking at bay boats with 4-strokes, my first choice in power is a Suzuki.

Nathan

Ybnormal wrote: It certainly will not get up on plane with the engine tilted up at all.

I noticed that Tin Can sold a 186 Key West with a 4 blade prop


Thanks YB-Normal

First things first. You need to have your motor trimmed/tilted all the way down for a good hole shot. Some boats can get up w/o the motor all the way down, but if your having problems make sure it's down.
It's been my experience that a 4 blade prop gives better torque on the low end, meaning it will give you a better hole shot. The 3 blade props I've had always got me more top end.
I find it hard to believe your dealer has no suggestions. If the service dept. is worth a damn they should point you in the right direction. Try another dealer that carries the same line.