2004 220 DAUNTLESS VERADO 225

Optimizing the performance of Boston Whaler boats
Lupi
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2004 220 DAUNTLESS VERADO 225

Postby Lupi » Thu May 05, 2022 2:30 am

Q1: What is a good propeller for a 2004 220 DAUNTLESS with a VERADO 225-HP [six-cylinder in-line] supercharged engine?

The current propeller is an ENERTIA 14 x 19-pitch.

From an engine history report the engine speed and hours are
    O-749 : 146 hours
    750-1499 : 97 hours
    1500-2999 : 82 hours
    3000-3999 : 135 hours
    4000-4499 : 6 hours
    4500-4999 : 1 hour
    5000-5499 : 3 hours
    5500-6249 : 0 hours
    6250 and above : 0 hours

BACKSTORY: I have just purchased a 2004 220 Dauntless with a VERADO 225-HP engine with about 470-hours of run time. I could not [sea trial] the boat. My mechanic did a diagnosis of the engine that reported less than 500-hours of utilization [as shown above]. My first impression is that the engine has been wisely used. But, I am surprised not seeing engine speed utilization above 5,500-RPM. This engine is supposed to reach 6,400-RPM. I did not know the previous owner as I bought from a [dealer].

--Luc

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Re: 2004 220 DAUNTLESS VERADO 225

Postby jimh » Thu May 05, 2022 8:16 am

For a 2004 Boston Whaler boat to have a VERADO in-line six-cylinder supercharged engine is quite interesting. The first generation VERADO engines were just introduced in February 2004. This makes me wonder if the VERADO was the original engine, or if the boat has been re-powered. If you look closely at the VERADO engine you should find a tag that gives the month and year of the production of the engine.

The ENERTIA propeller was not available in 2004. The ENERTIA propeller came out around December 2005. For those reasons, I again have to wonder if the VERADO 225 was the original engine on the boat.

Also, for a boat that is 18-years-old to have an engine that has run only 470-hours is also interesting. That is a use of only 26-hours per year.

Q2: Where was this boat purchased?

If the boat is from the far northern USA or Canada, maybe 26-hours a year could be normal. But most boats get more use than that.

All of this makes me suspect the 2004 220 DAUNTLESS was re-powered. If that is true, then the fitting of an ENERTIA 19-pitch propeller would not have been the choice of Boston Whaler, but something done by the owner or the dealer that fit the VERADO on the boat. That may be why the VERADO engine speed has never exceeded 5,500-RPM.

Give more information about the engine so we can deduce if the VERADO was the original engine put on the boat by Boston Whaler.

Get the boat in the water and collect your own performance information. That will give a better indicator if the 19-pitch ENERTIA propeller needs to be changed.

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Phil T
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Re: 2004 220 DAUNTLESS VERADO 225 Propeller

Postby Phil T » Thu May 05, 2022 10:40 am

Per Boston Whaler, the standard engine for the 2004 Dauntless 220 was the Mercury 200 Optimax. Optional engines included the 225 Optimax and a 225 EFI.

As for your current setup.

Q3: Have you run the boat with the current engine and prop? You do not include this information.

If the answer is no, know that just because the engine has not been run in the upper RPM ranges does not mean it can't. Maybe the prior owner used it in a low speed setting.

I would operate the boat and after a few hours of use, report back the boat's performance in 1000 rpm increments noting the speed. Remember to note the boat's load of gear, supplies, fuel, passengers, sea state, wind and current.

An appropriate propellers for this engine will cost between $400 to $900. Operating the boat and examining the performance is wise before changing anything.
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Re: 2004 220 DAUNTLESS VERADO 225

Postby Lupi » Fri May 06, 2022 4:30 am

Thanks a lot for the replies.

I agree that I will need to make a sea trial before changing anything. Unfortunately this won't be possible before July 2022.

I saw in the Dauntless 220 owner manual (downloaded from the Boston Whaler website) that the Verado was offered as an option to the OptiMax 200-HP engine. There is a performance data sheet that reports performances with following engines:
200 OptiMax
225 OptiMax
225 FOURSTROKE EFI
225 VERADO

[In the performance report from Boston Whaler the] Verado was tested with a 14-5/8 x 17-pitch REVOLUTION4 propeller. The engine accelerated to 6,100-RPM and boat speed was 43.1-nautical-miles-per-hour [or 49.5-MPH]

My 2004 220 Dauntless may have been repowered. I have asked my mechanic to check the engine serial number. I'll come back with that info as soons as possible.

--Luc

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Re: 2004 220 DAUNTLESS VERADO 225

Postby jimh » Fri May 06, 2022 7:30 am

If the catalogue shows an option for a VERADO 225 for the 2004 220 DAUNTLESS, then the engine may very well be the original engine. At that time the VERADO was a totally new engine, and for a dealer to be able to sell a VERADO engine required extensive training and purchase of special tools and diagnostic equipment. That makes the notion that the VERADO got on the transom of that 220 DAUNTLESS at the Boston Whaler factory much more likely, unless the re-power was done many years after 2004.

The test data with a REVOLUTION4 propeller at 17-pitch is also interesting. The REVOLUTION4 is a very large-blade-size four-bladed propeller that demands a lot of shaft horsepower to turn. That the test 220 DAUNTLESS boat with a VERADO 225 could spin that propeller at 6,100-RPM is very impressive.

I would expect that turning a much smaller diameter three-blade ENERTIA, even at 19-pitch, would be easier than the REVOLUTION4 at 17-pitch.

Again, you really should conduct some performance testing to determine what engine speed and boat speed your boat can produce as it is rigged now.

ASIDE: Even now, in 2022, re-powering boats with a 2.6-liter six-cylinder in-line VERADO is still rather unusual, as most dealers are not properly qualified by Mercury to do that sort of work, and the VERADO 2.6-liter six-cylinder in-line engines available now are limited to just 350-HP or 400-HP models; there isn't a 225-HP VERADO six-cylinder in-line engine available anymore.

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Re: 2004 220 DAUNTLESS VERADO 225

Postby Lupi » Fri May 06, 2022 1:12 pm

Thanks Jim,

When I look at the property certificate issued by French customs, the year of production of the boat is 2004, but, when I look at the serial number, it ends with 05, so I suspect this is a 2005 model.

You were right, in 2004, the VERADO engine was not offered. Only models from years 2005 and 2007 (the last year of production) could get the VERADO engine as an option.

Given this, I think this is a 2005 model with the original VERADO engine. Less than 500 hours of use seems very low but I know the previous owner enjoyed the boat just four weeks each year.

In France to get a 220 Dauntless equipped with a VERADO and also equipped with the leaning post is very rare.

Let's wait for July for a sea trial. Given what you said about the REVOLUTION4 17-pitch, maybe the ENERTIA 19-pitch will do a great job
Regarding the VERADO technology, my mechanic has all the knowledge and diagnostic tools to maintain the engine.

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Re: 2004 220 DAUNTLESS VERADO 225 Aside

Postby jimh » Sat May 07, 2022 10:41 am

Lupi wrote:When I look at the serial number, it ends with 05, so I suspect this is a 2005 model.

I assume you are looking at the federal hull identification number or HIN that is molded into the hull. The format in use in c.2004 is:

MIC-NNNNN-P-Y-ZZ

MIC = Manufacturer's ID Code BWC=Whaler also WCG=Commercial Whaler after 7/20/01
NNNNN = 5-character production or serial number
P = Month of production (encoded with letters)
Y = Year of production
ZZ = Model Year


You assumption that the HIN ending "05" indicates a 2005 model year boat is correct.

ASIDE: Congratulations getting this excellent Boston Whaler 220 DAUNTLESS boat in France. I have always liked the 220 DAUNTLESS boat for its graceful shear line (the arc formed by the gunwale from bow to stern as viewed from the side), low deck height above the water at the stern for easy entry from the water, and the large stern seat.

That you have a good mechanic with excellent training on the VERADO 2.6-liter in-line six-cylinder supercharger engine is very good fortune.

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Re: 2004 220 DAUNTLESS VERADO 225 Mounting Height

Postby Lupi » Fri Jul 08, 2022 11:05 am

I will be able to test my 220 DAUNTLESS on the water in a few days.

Before I put the boat into the water, I would like to check the engine height on the transom.
Currently, it is mounted one hole up :

o
o <--- bolt
o
o

Given the historical data of the engine (as described above in the discussion), I still suspect the engine maybe far from reaching at least 6,000-RPM with its Enertia 14 X 19.

I have just done theoric calculation of speed at high engine speeds with gear RATIO of 1.85, PITCH 19 and that gives:

5000 rpm = 42,3 knots
5500 rmp = 46,5 knots
6000 rpm = 50,7 knots
6400 rpm = 54,1 knots

Applying a 10% slip that would be pessimistic given Enertia performances, it gives

5000 rpm = 38,07 knots
5500 rpm = 41,9 knots
6000 rpm = 45,6 knots
6400 rpm = 48,7 knots

Honestly, considering the size of that boat, surface hull and weight, with a 225-HP I think 40 to 42-knots would be a very good performance. I guess this performance would be done between 5,000 and 5,500-RPM.

Maybe I can grab a few more RPM by raising the engine one or two holes more. I have still the opportunity to do it before she is on the water.

Q4: Is the ENERTIA propeller able to turn easily close to the surface ?

Thanks a lot

Luc

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Re: 2004 220 DAUNTLESS VERADO 225 Propeller

Postby Phil T » Fri Jul 08, 2022 12:30 pm

Luc

I do not use a slip percentage of 10%. I find 5% to be more accurate.

Regardless, you should test the boat as it is currently rigged and report back.
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Re: 2004 220 DAUNTLESS VERADO 225 Propeller

Postby jimh » Fri Jul 08, 2022 4:40 pm

As already mentioned several times, get the boat on the water and test it as currently rigged. This will give you a baseline for performance. If the performance data seems to be out of the normal range, then you can consider changing some element, such as engine mounting height, to see if the actual performance will be enhanced by the change.

To get an ideal of what "performance data" means, see

Propeller Testing: Evaluating the Data Obtained
https://continuouswave.com/forum/viewto ... f=7&t=7196

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Re: 2004 220 DAUNTLESS VERADO 225 Propeller

Postby Lupi » Mon Jul 18, 2022 9:46 am

I did a first test, but need to go more into details as family was on board with me and we had just little time to spend on the water.

4 adults + 1 dog on board (less than 550 lbs)
I would estimate 100 lbs of anchor, safety gear, and other stuff
No wind - the ocean looked like a lake
Outside temperature : 28° celsius

I just recorded the top speed I could reach : 38,1 knots @ 5200 rpm, fully trimmed up.
And I also reported a 20 knots @ 3000 rpm (very comfortable ride at that speed)

More data to come in the coming weeks, but for the moment I am far from the max range (5800-6400) at WOT for this engine.

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Re: 2004 220 DAUNTLESS VERADO 225 Propeller

Postby Lupi » Mon Jul 18, 2022 9:57 am

I forgot to sum up the engine and propeller configuration:

225 L6 Verado (gear ratio 1.85) max rpm range 5800-6400
Prop : Enertia 14*19
Engine mounting height : 1 hole up,

0
0-->bolt
0
0
0

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Re: 2004 220 DAUNTLESS VERADO 225 Propeller

Postby Lupi » Wed Aug 03, 2022 5:54 am

We went for a ride yesterday.

Weights
Four adults and a dog: about 550 lbs
Stuff: about 100-lbs
Gas : 200 litres or 52 gallons
Water about 30 litres 8-gallons)

Weather
Small chops
Wind 5 knots
Sunny

Engine
VERADO 225
Engine height: one-hole-up
[Gear ratio--very important parameter--1.85]
Maximum recommend engine speed 5800 to 6400-RPM
Propeller [three-blade stainless steel] ENERTIA 14 x 19-putch

DATA
SPEEDS
ENGINE BOAT
RPM Nautical Miles Per Hour

1500 5.6
2000 6.8
2500 8.8
3000 17.3
3500 22.4
4000 25.9
4500 29.8
5000 35.1
5200 38.4 (Wide Open Throttle)

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Re: 2004 220 DAUNTLESS VERADO 225 Propeller

Postby jimh » Wed Aug 03, 2022 11:57 am

Thanks for the follow up report on the engine and boat speed data you observed on your latest test run.

Using the continuousWave.com PROPELLER CALCULATOR for speeds in nautical miles per hour and your data for the WOT test, the propeller SLIP calculates to 12.6. This is a reasonable value.

The SLIP value can be affected by how the engine trim is set. With higher engine trim the SLIP will increase as the propeller begins to operate in water with aeration.

In my experience with Mercury three-bladed propellers like the MIRAGEplus, a value of 12.6 for SLIP is reasonable. Because I have not tested an ENERTIA propeller, I don't know if the ENERTIA would typically have a lower SLIP number.

To get a comparison, I found a performance report from Boston Whaler for another boat (190 OUTRAGE) using an ENERTIA 19 pitch. In that report the engine gear ratio was different. But it can still be useful. I took your boat speed, 38.4-NMPH, looked for data in the other report at that boat speed. The closest speed was 37.3-NMPH. Then I computed the SLIP of the ENERTIA 19 with that boat's engine speed and gear ratio. The result was the ENERTIA 19 propeller slip was 8.4.

What I am demonstrating is that in one test by by Boston Whaler using an ENERTIA 19 at a boat speed 37.3-NMPH the propeller slip was 8.4 and the second test with your boat using an ENERTIA 19 the propeller SLIP was 12.6.

The difference is likely due to the fact that the other boat was a smaller and lighter boat than yours, so it would be more easily propelled than your larger and heavier boat. That explains why the lighter boat at about the same boat speed with the same ENERTIA 19 propeller was exhibiting a lower SLIP value.

The test weight of the 190 OUTRAGE was specified at 3,060-lbs at the time of testing.

The weight of an empty 220 DAUNTLESS with no engine is 2,580-lbs; add about 700-lbs for the VERADO and a battery or two, 400-lbs for fuel and water, 700-lbs for crew and gear, and I expect your boat weight during testing was about 4,380-lbs, so significantly heavier than the 190 OUTRAGE at 3,060 for its test.

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Re: 2004 220 DAUNTLESS VERADO 225 Propeller

Postby jimh » Wed Aug 03, 2022 12:33 pm

Lupi wrote:Weights
Four adults and a dog: about 550 lbs
If that dog weighed 50-lbs then the average adult weighed only 500/4 = 125-lbs. You have a lot of very trim adults on your boat.

I don't recall knowing any people who, when they were adults, that is over 21-years-old, weighed 125-lbs, except for a few rather thin ladies. I think the USCG uses a figure of 185-lbs these days for an "average" adult, and many people think that is number is a bit low.

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Re: 2004 220 DAUNTLESS VERADO 225 Propeller

Postby Phil T » Wed Aug 03, 2022 2:56 pm

I think I have figured out the reason for the poor performance.

In 2007, the last year the Dauntless 220 was produced, it was offered with the optional Verado 225. With that engine, the factory supplied the Mercury Revolution 4 prop in 14-5/8 by 17.

Note the factory did significant testing to the selection the appropriate prop for the boat/engine combination.

For many reasons I will not bore you with, I suggest you replace the existing prop with the Rev 4 in the size above. It is clear the prop model and size you currently have is not appropriate.

Keep in mind, the boat is propped so it reaches the top of the RPM limit with satisfactory speed. This is not necessarily because you need to go this fast, it ensures the engine operates efficiently at any speed.

cf: https://www.bostonwhaler.com/content/dam/boston-whaler/technical/resources/220-Dauntless-Engine-Installation-2007.pdf
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Re: 2004 220 DAUNTLESS VERADO 225 Propeller

Postby Lupi » Mon Aug 29, 2022 8:40 am

Thanks a lot for your replies. This is very helpful.

I experienced the boat during August and this is really a fantastic boat with a lot of space for the family and versatile enough for fishing as well. Engine is running well and is very quiet. This combo is perfect.

Regarding the propeller, I used the trim up to 10 (maximum allowed when running) and the rpm jumped to 5800 at WOT, but with no improvement in the top speed that remained between 38 and 39 knots.

Based on your good recommendations, I will chase for a revolution 4 prop with a pitch of 17 inches. I will look at the second hand market because of the price, and I will resale my Enertia 19 pitch. In addition, I will put the engine 2 holes up (as per the diagram from Boston Whaler). This should give some additionnal rpm. I was wondering if Mirage plus or Tempest SS propellers would work well, or even Enertia with a decreased pitch.

I understand from Phil 's answer that Boston Whaler did significant testings before they conclued on the Revolution 4, but wanted to know if other SS propellers they tested were not so far in term of global performances.

The reason why I'm asking this is because we do not have so many offers on the second hand market in France and it may be difficult to find a specific model.

Thanks a lot

Luc

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Re: 2004 220 DAUNTLESS VERADO 225

Postby jimh » Mon Aug 29, 2022 12:49 pm

If you choose the REVOLUTION4 propeller, you will find it is an extremely heavy propeller. Using the conventional FLO-TORQ II propeller hub will not produce the best outcome, as there will be a CLUNK when shifting. To overcome this problem Mercury developed additional FLO-TORQ propeller hubs with cushioned linkage between the propeller shaft and the actual propeller, and these hubs produce much less CLUNK when shifting and also reduce PROPELLER RATTLE noise. There are several variations of these cushioned FLO-TORQ hubs, so some careful study may be needed to get the optimum one.

A good place to begin is my article at

Mercury FLO-TORQ SSR Hub Kits
https://continuouswave.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=6436

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Re: 2004 220 DAUNTLESS VERADO 225

Postby Lupi » Tue Sep 27, 2022 10:37 am

Thanks Jim,

I've read the article and it seems that the most appropriate hub kit would be the Flo Torq SSR (not the HD nor the solid version). Those parts are easily available at affordable prices.
Now, I just have to chase for a used Rev4 in 17 pitch and resale my Enertia 19 pitch.

Luc

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Re: 2004 220 DAUNTLESS VERADO 225 Propeller

Postby Lupi » Tue Oct 11, 2022 8:47 am

Phil T wrote:In 2007, the last year the Dauntless 220 was produced, it was offered with the optional Verado 225. With that engine, the factory supplied the Mercury REVOLUTION4 prop in 14-5/8 by 17-pitch.


The test of Dauntless 220 performed by Boston Whaler was dated May 2004. At that time, the ENERTIA propeller was not released to the market. Since the ENERTIA propeller was released (in 2006 I guess) I realize all [subsequent] performance tests done by Boston Whaler with VERADO engine use the ENERTIA propeller.

For example, Boston Whaler Performance report of a 230 DAUNTLESS (different boat than 220 DAUNTLESS) with Verado 225 :

- 15 MAY 2007: ENERTIA 14-1/2 x 17-pitch gave 42.7-nautical-miles-per-hour at 65150-RPM WOT
- 26 JANUARY 2011,: ENERTIA 14-3/4 x 17-pitch gave 41.2-nautical-miles-per-hour at 6250-RPM WOT

In term of size, hull surface, and weight [the 230 DAUNTLESS] may be close to the 220 DAUNTLESS

My conclusion : the ENERTIA propeller is certainly a good propeller for my 220 DAUNTLESS. With my ENERTIA propeller the PITCH is obviously too high: my propeller is a 14 x 19-pitch.

It may be that the REVOLUTION4 is NOT the unique propeller solution for a 220 DAUNTLESS.

Raising the engine one-hole higher [from the present mounting height of one-hole-up to then be two-holes-up] and using an ENERTIA 16-pitch or 17-pitch propeller would [or should] certainly bring significantly better performance as well.

I've done some research about the REVOLUTION4 propeller. I have read [somewhere unspecified] that the REVOLUTION4 is like a TEMPESTplus propeller with one more blade, which gives the REVOLUTION4 additional grip in the mid-RPM engine speed range.

Like a TEMPESTplus, a REVOLUTION4 has a high rake angle with a good capability of working close to the surface, Note that in the engine set up of a VERADO 225 on a 220 DAUNTLESS, Boston Whaler recommends the engine to be mounted two-holes-up.

That said, the ENERTIA is also designed to work close to the surface with a high rake angle. The greater blade surface gives the ENERTIA excellent performances in the mid-RPM engine speed range without sacrificing top speed. This is what makes me think the ENERITA is certainly a good option for a 220 DAUNTLESS, too.

I'm sorry to bother you with so much litterature, I just wanted to share my thoughts.

Luc

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Re: 2004 220 DAUNTLESS VERADO 225

Postby jimh » Fri Oct 14, 2022 10:07 am

LUC--I enjoyed your analysis of propellers.

Regarding the ENERTIA propeller, it is always a three-bladed propeller. A three-bladed propeller will tend to be faster than a four-bladed propeller.

Also, the ENERTIA was probably designed specifically for the VERADO engine and its gear ratio and engine power band.

As you noted, once the ENERTIA propeller was available, Boston Whaler seemed to find the ENERTIA propeller was the recommended propeller for all their boats with the VERADO L6 Supercharger engine.

Note that after the ENERTIA propeller came out, Mercury produced a variant called the ENERTIA ECO. The goal of the ENERTIA ECO was to improve fuel economy. With today's cost of gasoline fuel, better economy may be an important consideration.

I look forward to hearing from you with more test data. I assume we will have to wait until 2023 for that.

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Re: 2004 220 DAUNTLESS VERADO 225

Postby Lupi » Mon Oct 17, 2022 8:10 am

jimh wrote:I look forward to hearing from you with more test data. I assume we will have to wait until 2023 for that.


Thanks Jim!
Yes, we will have to wait July-August 2023.
This will let me some time to swap my Enertia 19 to a rev4 or even Enertia with a pitch of 17 inch. I will also raise the engine one more hole. This should give (I hope) something like 500 rpm more and even more with full trim and maybe I will hit the 40 nautical miles per hour.
This boat is really fantastic and the Verado so quiet with a lot of torque.
Luc

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Re: 2004 220 DAUNTLESS VERADO 225

Postby Lupi » Fri Aug 11, 2023 12:31 pm

Hello,One year later.

I finally could purchase a Revolution4 propeller at a good price. It is in good shape and I asked my mechanic to replace the old Enertia 19 pitch with that Revolution.

I asked also my mechanic to raise the engine two more holes. The engine is currently at three-holes-up from lowest mounting height, that is one more hole than the Boston Whaler recommendation (as per the diagram Phil shared in the post above).

I went out to test this new configuration. The boat was lightly loaded with :

- three adults
- 20-gallons fuel
- Gears for fishing (mainly rods and lures)
- Bimini (that was down for the speed test)
- Other gears (anchor, sunpad, security life jackets etc...)
- Bottom paint

Engine : Verado supercharged 225 hp L6 with gear ratio 1.85

Weather : calm, very small chops

See attached the results in a chart in which I have added the Boston Whaler factory test figures as well as the data reported last year with the Enertia propeller.

Dauntless 220 data report.png
Fig. 1. Table of boat speed data with various configurations.
Dauntless 220 data report.png (36.18 KiB) Viewed 3281 times


At a first glance, the performance is much better with the Revolution4 propeller, but still far from the factory testing. I guess, it may be nearly impossible to reach same performances as BW did. Feel free to comment.

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Re: 2004 220 DAUNTLESS VERADO 225

Postby Phil T » Fri Aug 11, 2023 2:54 pm

If you look at the factory test, the weather is typically tropical, no wind, no current, no waves, very little fuel, no water, no gear or equipment. One person and no bottom paint.

Q5: Are you running premium fuel?

The bottom paint and fuel can easily explain the difference.

That engine hour report is disconcerting. Try to run your engine at wide open throttle (WOT) for at least 10 minutes every time you go out.
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Re: 2004 220 DAUNTLESS VERADO 225

Postby jimh » Fri Aug 11, 2023 5:05 pm

I hope you used my Propeller Calculator to compute all those SLIP values:

https://continuouswave.com/calculators/ ... cKnots.php

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Re: 2004 220 DAUNTLESS VERADO 225

Postby Lupi » Mon Aug 21, 2023 4:46 am

Those slip values come from an Excel spreadsheet I've built, but have been compared with the slip calculator and they perfectly match, one by one.

I'm not sure the fuel used is premium fuel. It comes from gas pump of the marina and I have no idea of its quality.

I understand Boston Whaler test run are performed under ideal conditions that are difficult or impossible to reproduce (fuel, bimini, gears, people, dog, bottom paint etc...). I am happy with the current performances using the Revolution4 propeller.

Regarding the engine hour report, it has been edited just after I purchase the boat last year, so it belongs to the previous owner of the boat who used the Enertia with a pitch of 19. So I am not surprised the engine did not reach more than 5200-RPM.