More Volvo Prop Questions

[Kirbyvv]

What type of speeds from various props on older volvo drives can be expected. Just purchased a 78 X-18 with volvo 280 in August (my first Donzi so am new to this). It came with a stainless steel Michigan Wheel 15 x 19 prop. Handles great and runs a solid 55 mph on the speedo (prior owner says 58-59 running next to a pwc with gps speedo). I saw iboats.com is blowing out SS Michigan Wheel 14.5 x 21 props for $142. Would this be a prudent purchase?

[Tony]

My '67 Ski Sporter with a Volvo AQ200 runs real well with a 14 x 21 pitch prop, giving the best overall performance and a top speed of about 58 mph. With my SS 14 x 24 Ultra I run about 62 mph, but lose hole shot and mid-range pull. I'm pretty sure that the hydrodynamics of the older Volvo outdrives really limit top speed. The 200 is identical to the 250, and I think that the 280 is not much better in terms of slicing thru the water efficiently.

As for your question, if you can get a 14 x 21 SS prop to fit your outdrive for $142 I would snatch it. That would be a very solid prop for your setup, imo.

[Kirbyvv]

Thanks Tony. I ordered the 14.5 x 21 SS prop. iboats.com claims to have a number of them in LH for $142.

[mrfixxall]

i have a 77x18,,with my 14x22 64 at 6500 rpm,my 14x24 68 at 6400 and my 14x26 70+ 6900-6100....i picked up a 16x26 from tmdog that is a bronze prop that i havnt tried yet but it should rock.....i used to have a 15x25 bronze oj prop which put me well over 74 but i tore a ear off of it and the boat hasnt performed as well as it did whit the oj propeller..the secret to get the volvo to perform is to put as big as possible diameter prop on the boat so it can grab the water.....try hill bronson propellers ths thrasher thay make is similiar to the oj..

[mattyboy]

i have a 77x18,,with my 14x22 64 at 6500 rpm,my 14x24 68 at 6400 and my 14x26 70+ 6900-6100....i picked up a 16x26 from tmdog that is a bronze prop that i havnt tried yet but it should rock.....i used to have a 15x25 bronze oj prop which put me well over 74 but i tore a ear off of it and the boat hasnt performed as well as it did whit the oj propeller..the secret to get the volvo to perform is to put as big as possible diameter prop on the boat so it can grab the water.....try hill bronson propellers ths thrasher thay make is similiar to the oj..

you spin a 22 to 6500 rpm??? a 24 to 6400 and a 26 to 6100???
I am hoping the 6900 is a typo???
big a prop as possible your boat doesn't torque side to side with a large diameter prop??

[Tony]

This is a great price for a SS prop.

$142 SS prop (http://iboats.com/mall/propfinder/index.cgi?manufacturer=Volvo_Penta&rotation=Both&search=Product&chart=97&pitch=21.00&prop_chart_relation_id=6080&session_id=369695222&engine_id=560&pf_new=1)

You'll have to give us a fit and performance report after you get it. Does your 280 have the thru-hull, bulbous, trim fin below the planing skeg? If so you need to replace it with the more efficient trim fin.

[Kirbyvv]

This is a great price for a SS prop.
$142 SS prop (http://iboats.com/mall/propfinder/index.cgi?manufacturer=Volvo_Penta&rotation=Both&search=Product&chart=97&pitch=21.00&prop_chart_relation_id=6080&session_id=369695222&engine_id=560&pf_new=1)
You'll have to give us a fit and performance report after you get it. Does your 280 have the thru-hull, bulbous, trim fin below the planing skeg? If so you need to replace it with the more efficient trim fin.

Will report back in the spring on the prop. No bulbous trim fin on the 280.

[mrfixxall]

you spin a 22 to 6500 rpm??? a 24 to 6400 and a 26 to 6100???
I am hoping the 6900 is a typo???
big a prop as possible your boat doesn't torque side to side with a large diameter prop??


oops thanx matty,5900-6100 in the chopp//and ya it will twist if you can it but it likes the big ear prop....

[mrfixxall]

Will report back in the spring on the prop. No bulbous trim fin on the 280.


as my saying goes the nicer the nice the higher the price....

[mrfixxall]

This is a great price for a SS prop.
$142 SS prop (http://iboats.com/mall/propfinder/index.cgi?manufacturer=Volvo_Penta&rotation=Both&search=Product&chart=97&pitch=21.00&prop_chart_relation_id=6080&session_id=369695222&engine_id=560&pf_new=1)
You'll have to give us a fit and performance report after you get it. Does your 280 have the thru-hull, bulbous, trim fin below the planing skeg? If so you need to replace it with the more efficient trim fin.

tony,the add saya that it wont fit a 270 volvo drive..ask them if its because the 270 has a short prop shaft or if its the spline....

[BRIAN73]

Kirby,

What part of Queensbury do you live in? I live on Assembly Point. When I bought my X a few years ago, I tached out at close to 5800 with a 24 pitch prop. This was with the original tach. I was very surprised to find out that when I put new gauges in, that the tach rpms were comming up to around 5300rpm which was a shock but made way more sense. Now if I had only built my stroker for the correct rpm, I would be really set.

In my oppion, an ultra or a merc chopper with a 17spline volvo hub would be your best bet. You can find a few different choppers in a left hand config, in a 22, 24, 26 range. I run one on my X, but had to tweak the diameter down for the clearance problem on the E.


I would love to see your boat sometime!!!!!!!!!

Brian

[Kirbyvv]

Kirby,
What part of Queensbury do you live in? I live on Assembly Point. When I bought my X a few years ago, I tached out at close to 5800 with a 24 pitch prop. This was with the original tach. I was very surprised to find out that when I put new gauges in, that the tach rpms were comming up to around 5300rpm which was a shock but made way more sense. Now if I had only built my stroker for the correct rpm, I would be really set.
In my oppion, an ultra or a merc chopper with a 17spline volvo hub would be your best bet. You can find a few different choppers in a left hand config, in a 22, 24, 26 range. I run one on my X, but had to tweak the diameter down for the clearance problem on the E.
I would love to see your boat sometime!!!!!!!!!
Brian

Brian:
I'm over near west mountain, but my family has a place at the northern end of the lake (ticonderoga) in Heart bay. The X is in storage for the winter, so let's try to get together in the spring. I'd like to talk props and such. I hear your's is pretty fast. I have lot's to learn.
Kirby