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Author Topic:   160 Dauntless with 90-HP Two-cycle

lkeriedog posted 04-30-2010 02:01 PM ET (US)
Because [a Boston Whaler 160 DAUNTLESS] is so heavy, [a 90-HP two-cycle motor] has a rough time getting [the DAUNTLESS] on plane. I want to change the propeller. I hope someone on here can recommend a propeller. I now run the original 13 x 19-pitch alluminum [propeller]. I was thinking about a four-blade propeller, but after reading some of the posts on here [changing to a four-blade propeller from a three-blade propeller] doesn't seem to be a good idea. If I switch to a 13.25 x 19 [propeller made of] stainless [steel], will that help [the 90-HP motor get the heavy Boston Whaler 160 DAUNTLESS to plane better]? I have been told that the stainless will flex less than the aluminum at take off, thus helping with getting on plane faster. I can't seem to find a 13 x 18 propeller, which I think would be optimal. Anyone else out there that has been through this and can recommend a propeller would be great. thanks.
Tohsgib posted 04-30-2010 02:10 PM ET (US)
What engine and what redline and what are you fetching WOT?
Jefecinco posted 04-30-2010 07:36 PM ET (US)
I had a 13 1/4 X 19 stainless steel propeller on my 160 [DAUNTLESS] with a 115-HP engine. It did not get the job done. I added a hydrofoil stabilizer which provide some improvement.
Due to the power limitations on your boat you should not expect very good hole shot. Once on plane you should do all right with 90-HP.
A hydrofoil stabilizer is not very expensive. It may be useful in your application.
I have now gone to a stainless steel four-blade 13-1/4 X 15 propeller which provides my 115-HP-engine-powered 160 with incredibly good hole shot.
Because of the differences in power between our boats this information may be meaningless but my point is that a hydrofoil may help you some. If more help is needed a four-blade propeller may do the job.
Tom Clark was the person who helped me choose the right propeller for my application. I recommend you seek his advice.
Butch
lefty93 posted 05-01-2010 09:14 AM ET (US)
I had a Mercury 90 FOURSTROKE on my 160 Dauntless. When I bought the boat it had a stainless steel three blade propeller. I switched to a four-blade TROPHY PLUS stainless steel 17-pitch [PVS] vent propeller with small hole plugs. I also installed a hydrofoil. Both of those changes helped the [acceleration from standing start] and lowered the on-plane speed significantly. As a result of continual engine problems I have switched to an E-TEC 115. The difference is amazing and puts the boat into a different performance class.
jimh posted 05-01-2010 10:23 AM ET (US)
If the 90-HP motor has trouble getting the heavy boat to reach plane, try reducing the propeller pitch.
Tom W Clark posted 05-01-2010 10:41 AM ET (US)
I suggest you try a 13-3/4" x 17" Mercury Trophy Plus propeller.
Marlin posted 05-01-2010 10:04 PM ET (US)
Yes, the 17" Trophy Plus should do reasonably well. Do not bother with a 16" Vengeance, as that prop does not like to let the engine wind up coming up onto plane (as compared to the Trophy Plus). If the 17" doesn't work, there is no other Mercury 4-blade available for you, but you could try a 15" Vengeance, which should do well getting you on plane but might take a bite out of your top speed.
-Bob
lefty93 posted 05-01-2010 11:52 PM ET (US)
If you are interested in buying a Trophy Plus 13x3/4" 17" propeller let me know. I still have mine and because I cannot use it on my ETEC 115 I am interested in selling it. It is in very good condition.
lkeriedog posted 05-03-2010 07:22 AM ET (US)
Lefty, Don, I am interested in the prop. Please see the email I sent you. thanks.
lkeriedog posted 05-03-2010 07:30 AM ET (US)
Thank you Tom Clark. You were recommended by another reader and you provided what appears to be a good prop for me to try. Looks like you have had experience with this same boat/power option in the past. I have sent an email to Lefty93 because it appears he went through the same thing I am. I had considered changing to a 115hp, but then the sticker shock made me realize I had to do this with a prop instead. If I were to do this all over again, I would buy one that already had a 115 on it. I'm guessing that is why the one I bought with the 90hp was so cheap. The boat was in perfect condition, so it had to be the motor size. Thanks to everyone who has responded to my question. I really appreciate it and will re-post after I try the Trophy prop and let everyone know how it worked out for me.
cmarques posted 05-03-2010 09:39 PM ET (US)
I would also check the mounting height of the motor. The biggest difference I felt through "tuning" my setup was raising the motor up 1 hole on the transom. Depending on your use of the boat and loading this may be an option to check/try.
http://continuouswave.com/ubb/Forum4/HTML/003623.html
Chris
Jefecinco posted 05-04-2010 09:15 AM ET (US)
I concur with Chris. I did this on my 115 HP engine powered 160 Dauntless to good effect.
This is an easy and virtually free modification to your current set up. I was able to do it without help on my driveway simply using the trailer jack stand to raise and hold the engine using the boat as lever with the tires being the fulcrum. I also used a 2X8" plank below the skeg to keep it off the concrete. I attached two pieces of wood to the plank to provide a "slot" for the skeg to keep it from moving to the side. The plank made it easy to fine tune the engine angle while inserting the bolts after raising the engine. Just use a hammer to move the plank in the direction required for alignment. Total cost was one tube of Boat Life Caulk and abut an hour of effort.
Butch

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Author	Topic: 160 Dauntless with 90-HP Two-cycle
lkeriedog	posted 04-30-2010 02:01 PM ET (US) Because [a Boston Whaler 160 DAUNTLESS] is so heavy, [a 90-HP two-cycle motor] has a rough time getting [the DAUNTLESS] on plane. I want to change the propeller. I hope someone on here can recommend a propeller. I now run the original 13 x 19-pitch alluminum [propeller]. I was thinking about a four-blade propeller, but after reading some of the posts on here [changing to a four-blade propeller from a three-blade propeller] doesn't seem to be a good idea. If I switch to a 13.25 x 19 [propeller made of] stainless [steel], will that help [the 90-HP motor get the heavy Boston Whaler 160 DAUNTLESS to plane better]? I have been told that the stainless will flex less than the aluminum at take off, thus helping with getting on plane faster. I can't seem to find a 13 x 18 propeller, which I think would be optimal. Anyone else out there that has been through this and can recommend a propeller would be great. thanks.
Tohsgib	posted 04-30-2010 02:10 PM ET (US) What engine and what redline and what are you fetching WOT?
Jefecinco	posted 04-30-2010 07:36 PM ET (US) I had a 13 1/4 X 19 stainless steel propeller on my 160 [DAUNTLESS] with a 115-HP engine. It did not get the job done. I added a hydrofoil stabilizer which provide some improvement. Due to the power limitations on your boat you should not expect very good hole shot. Once on plane you should do all right with 90-HP. A hydrofoil stabilizer is not very expensive. It may be useful in your application. I have now gone to a stainless steel four-blade 13-1/4 X 15 propeller which provides my 115-HP-engine-powered 160 with incredibly good hole shot. Because of the differences in power between our boats this information may be meaningless but my point is that a hydrofoil may help you some. If more help is needed a four-blade propeller may do the job. Tom Clark was the person who helped me choose the right propeller for my application. I recommend you seek his advice. Butch
lefty93	posted 05-01-2010 09:14 AM ET (US) I had a Mercury 90 FOURSTROKE on my 160 Dauntless. When I bought the boat it had a stainless steel three blade propeller. I switched to a four-blade TROPHY PLUS stainless steel 17-pitch [PVS] vent propeller with small hole plugs. I also installed a hydrofoil. Both of those changes helped the [acceleration from standing start] and lowered the on-plane speed significantly. As a result of continual engine problems I have switched to an E-TEC 115. The difference is amazing and puts the boat into a different performance class.
jimh	posted 05-01-2010 10:23 AM ET (US) If the 90-HP motor has trouble getting the heavy boat to reach plane, try reducing the propeller pitch.
Tom W Clark	posted 05-01-2010 10:41 AM ET (US) I suggest you try a 13-3/4" x 17" Mercury Trophy Plus propeller.
Marlin	posted 05-01-2010 10:04 PM ET (US) Yes, the 17" Trophy Plus should do reasonably well. Do not bother with a 16" Vengeance, as that prop does not like to let the engine wind up coming up onto plane (as compared to the Trophy Plus). If the 17" doesn't work, there is no other Mercury 4-blade available for you, but you could try a 15" Vengeance, which should do well getting you on plane but might take a bite out of your top speed. -Bob
lefty93	posted 05-01-2010 11:52 PM ET (US) If you are interested in buying a Trophy Plus 13x3/4" 17" propeller let me know. I still have mine and because I cannot use it on my ETEC 115 I am interested in selling it. It is in very good condition.
lkeriedog	posted 05-03-2010 07:22 AM ET (US) Lefty, Don, I am interested in the prop. Please see the email I sent you. thanks.
lkeriedog	posted 05-03-2010 07:30 AM ET (US) Thank you Tom Clark. You were recommended by another reader and you provided what appears to be a good prop for me to try. Looks like you have had experience with this same boat/power option in the past. I have sent an email to Lefty93 because it appears he went through the same thing I am. I had considered changing to a 115hp, but then the sticker shock made me realize I had to do this with a prop instead. If I were to do this all over again, I would buy one that already had a 115 on it. I'm guessing that is why the one I bought with the 90hp was so cheap. The boat was in perfect condition, so it had to be the motor size. Thanks to everyone who has responded to my question. I really appreciate it and will re-post after I try the Trophy prop and let everyone know how it worked out for me.
cmarques	posted 05-03-2010 09:39 PM ET (US) I would also check the mounting height of the motor. The biggest difference I felt through "tuning" my setup was raising the motor up 1 hole on the transom. Depending on your use of the boat and loading this may be an option to check/try. http://continuouswave.com/ubb/Forum4/HTML/003623.html Chris
Jefecinco	posted 05-04-2010 09:15 AM ET (US) I concur with Chris. I did this on my 115 HP engine powered 160 Dauntless to good effect. This is an easy and virtually free modification to your current set up. I was able to do it without help on my driveway simply using the trailer jack stand to raise and hold the engine using the boat as lever with the tires being the fulcrum. I also used a 2X8" plank below the skeg to keep it off the concrete. I attached two pieces of wood to the plank to provide a "slot" for the skeg to keep it from moving to the side. The plank made it easy to fine tune the engine angle while inserting the bolts after raising the engine. Just use a hammer to move the plank in the direction required for alignment. Total cost was one tube of Boat Life Caulk and abut an hour of effort. Butch