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Author Topic:   13-footer with 30-HP

Mainiac posted 10-20-2009 10:15 PM ET (US)
[I] just purchased a 13-foot Boston Whaler boat, and [I] am excited to get it on the water. It is an older one that the previous owner had recently restored. This Whaler has a older style transom. The transom doesn't go straight across the stern. It has a cut out. I'm looking for some advise on a few things.
The boat came with a questionable 1976 Johnson 35-HP engine which has a few [problems] and no trim/tilt, which I want for fishing in shallow areas of the east coast of Florida. I am replacing the motor. I purchased a 1997 Mercury 30-HP Mercury outboard with electric start and trim/tilt in amazing condition. The motor came without a propeller. I'm looking for advice on propeller pitch. I found a new Black Max propeller on sale for $77. [Should I get a propeller with 14-inch pitch?]
BlueMax posted 10-20-2009 11:28 PM ET (US)
Welcome--Here is a link to a prior discussion from 2005 on this site about just the very thing you ask - Proper Propeller Pitch for a 13' classic - although the engine is a 35 hp Mercury. Hopefully you will find this helpful:
http://continuouswave.com/ubb/Forum4/HTML/003917.html
Mr Hebert (our very beneficent host) has put together a very comprehensive site stocked full of knowledge and knowledgeable folks with a searchable database - it is a veritable classroom for questions like this. The CONTINUOUSWAVE is a very powerful tool with many unique feature areas (and inhabitants).
At the top of the page is a search link powered by GOOGLE. You can search the site specific or the www for information. Also the boards have UBB enabled that allow for italicizing and bolding, or Both. Additionally you can link to other url's
Instructions on how to use UBB Here:
http://continuouswave.com/ubb/ubbcode.html
Welcome Aboard!
Max
BlueMax posted 10-20-2009 11:31 PM ET (US)
PS - I would call that cut out a "notch". My .02
Happy Whalering!
jimh posted 10-21-2009 07:51 PM ET (US)
If your 13-foot Boston Whaler boat has a notched transom, it is probably intended for use with engines with a 15-inch shaft. There are many prior discussions about re-power 13-foot Boston Whaler boats, converting the transom height to 20-inch, and details about propeller selection.
Clark Roberts posted 10-22-2009 07:02 AM ET (US)
Maniac, that 1997 Mercury 30-HP model is a long (20") shaft if it has factory trim and tilt! Your boat's (notched) transom is for a short shaft (15") engine, and it will not perform satisfactorily unless you raise the transom height by modifying it or use a jack plate. As to prop pitch, use a 12" pitch if you normally carry a heavy load (like two to four adults and gear), or a 13" pitch if you are alone most of the time. In any case you need to select a prop that will allow the engine to run in the upper of its designed max RPM range (5,500), and check it out via a tachometer.--happy Whalin'... Clark
jimh posted 10-22-2009 08:55 AM ET (US)
[Moved to PERFORMANCE.]
Mainiac posted 10-22-2009 08:10 PM ET (US)
Thanks folks, for the helpful replies. The whaler had a Jack Plate on it, but it will not work with the Mercury. While at the mom-and-pop marine shop, I asked if I could use his computer, and was lucky enough to find a brand new jack plate, a two piece one that will work. I just had to drive 100 miles to go get it, which I did. I got it for 1/2-OFF the original price.
The shop had a used stainless steel 14 pitch for $80 that I'm going to try out.Here is a URI to a photo of the boat with the motor that came with it, which turned out needing much more work than I thought.
http://i797.photobucket.com/albums/yy259/RabbitMainiac2010/SANY0022.jpg
http://i797.photobucket.com/albums/yy259/RabbitMainiac2010/MercuryMotor2.jpg--photo of the motor, such a deal.
I'll be hauling the boat around with my 1984 diesel VW Rabbit, which I have mechanically restored and runs great, 45-MPG and only has 210,000 miles on it--ust getting broke in.
Tohsgib posted 10-23-2009 11:08 AM ET (US)
Johnson is a 1983, not a 76 unless "restored". Great engines.
Mainiac posted 10-28-2009 08:07 PM ET (US)
.... for the benefit of folks who might read this later....and may be looking for an opinion on which prop to use, on a 13ft Whaler. (1971 Sport)
I tried out the S.S. 14 pitch prop, on the Whaler, and it works pretty good... top speed, a little over 30mpg...this is not a GPS reading, just from the Hummingbird device that came w/ the boat, which, I don't trust (yet).... the electric trim/tilt is obviously a big help... (to get the motor "just right", when on plane.. ) I think I'll get me a spare 13 pitch prop, to see how much better a "hole shot" I get... but, I'll probably loose a few MPG at WOT.
I'm going to redistribute some weight around, in the boat, moving the gas tank forward some.... to see what happens.
Here is a link to a photo, just before the "maiden voyage"... (for me anyway)
http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk154/RabbitMainiac/NewToyWhaler.jpg
Clark Roberts posted 10-29-2009 03:50 AM ET (US)
Maniac, suggest that you check max RPM with a tachometer and make sure that you are turning at least 5500rpm with that 14" prop. If not, you are lugging the engine! Your hole shot AND top speed may be better with 13" prop. Have fun... Clark
Mainiac posted 10-30-2009 09:57 AM ET (US)
Thanks Clark....
Yes, I'm waiting to find a "deal" on a 13 pitch prop.... I couldn't pass up the price ($80) on the 14 pitch S.S. prop that the marine shop had lying around.... it was / is, in perfect shape. When I find a 13 pitch prop, it will become the one I will use, and keep the 14, as a spare.
Folks have been catching lots of huge Redfish and Snook over at Sebastian Inlet, .... heading over there very soon.

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Author	Topic: 13-footer with 30-HP
Mainiac	posted 10-20-2009 10:15 PM ET (US) [I] just purchased a 13-foot Boston Whaler boat, and [I] am excited to get it on the water. It is an older one that the previous owner had recently restored. This Whaler has a older style transom. The transom doesn't go straight across the stern. It has a cut out. I'm looking for some advise on a few things. The boat came with a questionable 1976 Johnson 35-HP engine which has a few [problems] and no trim/tilt, which I want for fishing in shallow areas of the east coast of Florida. I am replacing the motor. I purchased a 1997 Mercury 30-HP Mercury outboard with electric start and trim/tilt in amazing condition. The motor came without a propeller. I'm looking for advice on propeller pitch. I found a new Black Max propeller on sale for $77. [Should I get a propeller with 14-inch pitch?]
BlueMax	posted 10-20-2009 11:28 PM ET (US) Welcome--Here is a link to a prior discussion from 2005 on this site about just the very thing you ask - Proper Propeller Pitch for a 13' classic - although the engine is a 35 hp Mercury. Hopefully you will find this helpful: http://continuouswave.com/ubb/Forum4/HTML/003917.html Mr Hebert (our very beneficent host) has put together a very comprehensive site stocked full of knowledge and knowledgeable folks with a searchable database - it is a veritable classroom for questions like this. The CONTINUOUSWAVE is a very powerful tool with many unique feature areas (and inhabitants). At the top of the page is a search link powered by GOOGLE. You can search the site specific or the www for information. Also the boards have UBB enabled that allow for italicizing and bolding, or Both. Additionally you can link to other url's Instructions on how to use UBB Here: http://continuouswave.com/ubb/ubbcode.html Welcome Aboard! Max
BlueMax	posted 10-20-2009 11:31 PM ET (US) PS - I would call that cut out a "notch". My .02 Happy Whalering!
jimh	posted 10-21-2009 07:51 PM ET (US) If your 13-foot Boston Whaler boat has a notched transom, it is probably intended for use with engines with a 15-inch shaft. There are many prior discussions about re-power 13-foot Boston Whaler boats, converting the transom height to 20-inch, and details about propeller selection.
Clark Roberts	posted 10-22-2009 07:02 AM ET (US) Maniac, that 1997 Mercury 30-HP model is a long (20") shaft if it has factory trim and tilt! Your boat's (notched) transom is for a short shaft (15") engine, and it will not perform satisfactorily unless you raise the transom height by modifying it or use a jack plate. As to prop pitch, use a 12" pitch if you normally carry a heavy load (like two to four adults and gear), or a 13" pitch if you are alone most of the time. In any case you need to select a prop that will allow the engine to run in the upper of its designed max RPM range (5,500), and check it out via a tachometer.--happy Whalin'... Clark
jimh	posted 10-22-2009 08:55 AM ET (US) [Moved to PERFORMANCE.]
Mainiac	posted 10-22-2009 08:10 PM ET (US) Thanks folks, for the helpful replies. The whaler had a Jack Plate on it, but it will not work with the Mercury. While at the mom-and-pop marine shop, I asked if I could use his computer, and was lucky enough to find a brand new jack plate, a two piece one that will work. I just had to drive 100 miles to go get it, which I did. I got it for 1/2-OFF the original price. The shop had a used stainless steel 14 pitch for $80 that I'm going to try out.Here is a URI to a photo of the boat with the motor that came with it, which turned out needing much more work than I thought. http://i797.photobucket.com/albums/yy259/RabbitMainiac2010/SANY0022.jpg http://i797.photobucket.com/albums/yy259/RabbitMainiac2010/MercuryMotor2.jpg--photo of the motor, such a deal. I'll be hauling the boat around with my 1984 diesel VW Rabbit, which I have mechanically restored and runs great, 45-MPG and only has 210,000 miles on it--ust getting broke in.
Tohsgib	posted 10-23-2009 11:08 AM ET (US) Johnson is a 1983, not a 76 unless "restored". Great engines.
Mainiac	posted 10-28-2009 08:07 PM ET (US) .... for the benefit of folks who might read this later....and may be looking for an opinion on which prop to use, on a 13ft Whaler. (1971 Sport) I tried out the S.S. 14 pitch prop, on the Whaler, and it works pretty good... top speed, a little over 30mpg...this is not a GPS reading, just from the Hummingbird device that came w/ the boat, which, I don't trust (yet).... the electric trim/tilt is obviously a big help... (to get the motor "just right", when on plane.. ) I think I'll get me a spare 13 pitch prop, to see how much better a "hole shot" I get... but, I'll probably loose a few MPG at WOT. I'm going to redistribute some weight around, in the boat, moving the gas tank forward some.... to see what happens. Here is a link to a photo, just before the "maiden voyage"... (for me anyway) http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk154/RabbitMainiac/NewToyWhaler.jpg
Clark Roberts	posted 10-29-2009 03:50 AM ET (US) Maniac, suggest that you check max RPM with a tachometer and make sure that you are turning at least 5500rpm with that 14" prop. If not, you are lugging the engine! Your hole shot AND top speed may be better with 13" prop. Have fun... Clark
Mainiac	posted 10-30-2009 09:57 AM ET (US) Thanks Clark.... Yes, I'm waiting to find a "deal" on a 13 pitch prop.... I couldn't pass up the price ($80) on the 14 pitch S.S. prop that the marine shop had lying around.... it was / is, in perfect shape. When I find a 13 pitch prop, it will become the one I will use, and keep the 14, as a spare. Folks have been catching lots of huge Redfish and Snook over at Sebastian Inlet, .... heading over there very soon.