Sharrow Props

[Submariner]

thanks again for the info....I'll consider that a tacit endorsement of me moving to the 5 blade...or at least giving it a try. What was the size and pitch of your four blade...and what is size and pitch of the 5 you like? (pardon me if that is listed above in an earlier post...

I am running a prototype prop, from PowerTech that's not available for purchase, yet. I expect PowerTech to have it for sale soon. It's something new they've been working on.

 

[Jcat2010]

Cliff. Thanks for the alternative prop suggestions. With your current prop, what's your mpg in the 13-17 mph range? Are you getting good stern lift and staying on plane at those speeds?

 

[Edmund]

I am running a prototype prop, from PowerTech that's not available for purchase, yet. I expect PowerTech to have it for sale soon. It's something new they've been working on.

understood...think I'll try one soon as they're available

 

[cliffm]

Cliff. Thanks for the alternative prop suggestions. With your current prop, what's your mpg in the 13-17 mph range? Are you getting good stern lift and staying on plane at those speeds?

Prop is really responsive up to 3500rpm at 13.5mph, feels like it's pushing water 3600-4600rpm, on step at 4800rpm and best fast mpg is 5100-5200rpm 30.7-32mph 1.73-1.74mpg
3000rpm=13.1mph/2.18mpg 2500rpm=9.8mph/2.13mpg 2000rpm=7.3mph/2.52mpg 1500rpm=6.6mph/3.28mpg 1000rpm=4.7mph/3.62mpg

 

[Edmund]

Prop is really responsive up to 3500rpm at 13.5mph, feels like it's pushing water 3600-4600rpm, on step at 4800rpm and best fast mpg is 5100-5200rpm 30.7-32mph 1.73-1.74mpg
3000rpm=13.1mph/2.18mpg 2500rpm=9.8mph/2.13mpg 2000rpm=7.3mph/2.52mpg 1500rpm=6.6mph/3.28mpg 1000rpm=4.7mph/3.62mpg

That's very interesting....I've found that my C24, with the OFS 4 blade, is most efficient at 51-5200 rpm also....it's up on both steps, riding flat, and does about 38-39 at that RPM with the single 250. At 4400 she's back down on maybe one step, and doing maybe 31-32 and same MPG range.

 

[Submariner]

It's been a long time coming as I've spent most of 2024 working with PowerTech.
Prop testing on the R27-OB...

What difference does a prop make? Tune in and let's find out. Sharrow numbers are also disclosed.

Prop testing video​

 

[Craigmconrad]

Martin, great video with a lot of good info. Do you think Powertech could create a SCE5 modified for the F200 used on the R23? I might send them an email and ask

 

[Submariner]

Martin, great video with a lot of good info. Do you think Powertech could create a SCE5 modified for the F200 used on the R23? I might send them an email and ask

Thank you!! We also have a second video "Prop Talk" coming out in a day or two with LaZina and I discussing our experience.

The R23 has an F200, which is a 4 cylinder engine. The F250/F300 are both the same 4.2L V6 engine. Torque between the two engines is going to be different. The R23 may not be able to turn a 5 blade prop well. Contact PowerTech. They know these engines (Yamaha, specifically), and would be able to recommend something that should work better. I also see an opportunity here for them to try the exhaust extension for the F200 on an R23.

 

[RT25_LouLou]

Thanks Martin! Great video and incredibly informative. I've been talking to Marcus and he told me end of January they should be shipping the modified prop. I'm excited to use it and test it. I'm curious about how my numbers will play out on my not super heavy R25 - Yamaha 250. More soon.

It's been a long time coming as I've spent most of 2024 working with PowerTech.
Prop testing on the R27-OB...

What difference does a prop make? Tune in and let's find out. Sharrow numbers are also disclosed.

Prop testing video​

 

[venajeff]

Martin, thank you so much for all the time you put into your tests, recording, and presentation. It is much appreciated.

 

[Rocky Lou]

It's been a long time coming as I've spent most of 2024 working with PowerTech.
Prop testing on the R27-OB...

What difference does a prop make? Tune in and let's find out. Sharrow numbers are also disclosed.

Prop testing video​

Thanks for posting Martin. I've also been working with PowerTech for some time after I gave up on Sharrow.

I'm current running 17" OFS - 5 BLADE props and, as you have experienced. I get better hole shot, stern lift and mid range performance. However, I lose top end, compared to SS2s, reaching only 5100 vs. 6000. It's important to note that my C302c LE presents a substantially different issue than your R27, that I consider to be a more 'standard' and performant hull. My boat is extremely stern heavy, a real a$$ dragger, with a generator and gas tanks located aft. Stern lift is the most important factor for improving my boat's performance.

Given the lack of top end, PowerTech will be sending me: OFS5L15PCL200 (LH)/OFS5L15PCL200 (RH) with hopes that we keep the mid range and improve top end. I also will check whether the 'SCE 5 Blade/Channel Surfing' props are an alternative. I only dream of seeing numbers like 1.8 MPG, realizing that I have twins, but at least I now see 1.0 MPG at cruise, which is a far cry from 0.7 MPG.

Also, for those who are planning on performance testing and want it all done for you with graphs, I attached the link to the VDR that I have installed.

https://www.maretron.com/products/vdr100-vessel-data-recorder/

 

[Submariner]

And I have Sharrow stat's... Brian emailed them to me yesterday and told me I could publish.

For this past season (May - October), Brian ran 488 gallons of gas through a Sharrow on an R27-OB. Nearly all was done at cruising speeds, up on plane.

Approximately 200 miles at 14-20mph, another 200 miles at 21-24mph, and another 500 miles at 25-30mph. Total mileage: 897 miles.

He saw 1.84mpg average for the season on the Sharrow.

This is on a fully loaded boat, out having fun, exploring, anchoring, etc... He's Canadian, so Gulf Islands, Desolation Sound, etc.. is his backyard.

 

[Submariner]

Thanks for posting Martin. I've also been working with PowerTech for some time after I gave up on Sharrow.

Also, for those who are planning on performance testing and want it all done for you with graphs, I attached the link to the VDR that I have installed.

That VDR looks awesome!!! They also have an IP Gateway, to send Nema2k data from the boat to the Internet (I have Internet on the boat, so I could leverage that). I'm gonna check into this company a bit more. They also make a J1939 to N2k gateway, which looks like it may work for getting Yamaha engine data onto N2k for less money than the Yamaha N2k Gateway (needed for the Lenco Autoglide to function).

 

[RT25_LouLou]

It's been a long time coming as I've spent most of 2024 working with PowerTech.
Prop testing on the R27-OB...

What difference does a prop make? Tune in and let's find out. Sharrow numbers are also disclosed.

Prop testing video​

@Submariner I am curious about sound. How loud is the 5 blade vs 4 blade vs SSII? The Sharrow seems to run much quieter. How do the Power Tech blades run?

 

[Submariner]

I am curious about sound. How loud is the 5 blade vs 4 blade vs SSII? The Sharrow seems to run much quieter. How do the Power Tech blades run?

They are quiet props (PowerTech 4 and 5 blade). They are also smoother (less vibration). The more blades equals better balance which is less vibration. I also prefer the PowerTech cushion hub. It's so smooth to put the boat into and out of gear. Quiet, balanced, smooth, easy to turn the boat, amazing hole shot, fantastic reverse thrust for docking, decent fuel efficiency for extended range of the boat. I will end up with two of the SCE5 Modified Channel Surfing edition prop's.

They are sending me a new, anodized exhaust tube and diffuser for my SCE5 Modified. I'll wait a bit before I order a backup prop to let others get one.

I've been using my Yamaha SWSIi 3 blade as my backup prop. Earlier this year when I had to send the SCE5 back to PowerTech for work, I had to run the 3-blade for a couple of months. We went to Edmonds, in 2-3 foot seas in Puget Sound, windy day. I couldn't run the boat at 20+mph in the waves unless I wanted dental work on my back teeth fillings. Slowboating at 8mph sucked. The Edmonds/Kingston ferry was approaching, we were bobbing in the water with the waves, I was within sight of Edmonds. It wasn't a family friendly day as the Navy sailor in me came out (my mouth). I was frustrated because I knew I should be able to do 12-15mph and ride through that mess, but couldn't with only 3 blades. I was frustrated, and super excited when the SCE5 Modified came back a month later.

Here's a short video clip. This was filmed in Glacier bay, in the cockpit, with us underway doing 8mph, using the OFS4 (4-Blade PowerTech) prop.
It illustrates how noisy the prop isn't.

 

[Submariner]

Prop Talk with Martin and LaZina.. We talk about the improvements we saw with the new prop.

Video just released.

 

[Dgilchrist]

Did you work with PropGod (Ken) with PowerTech or someone else? I repropped my C24 with a PowerTech 4 blade and made it a simply better boat.

Do you have a 250 or 300 Yamaha? What size PowerTech did you put on?
I have a 2023 C248 w/ 250 and I need a new prop.

 

[RT25_LouLou]

Do you have a 250 or 300 Yamaha? What size PowerTech did you put on?
I have a 2023 C248 w/ 250 and I need a new prop.

@Dgilchrist Welcome as a new member! There are other Cutwater owners chasing a new prop as well. It's a great forum. He has the Ranger Tug 27 with the 300 Yamaha outboard - V6 4.2L. I believe this is earlier in the post and certainly in the videos. There is a lot of content here. Lots to digest and take in as you contribute.

 

[RT25_LouLou]

They are quiet props (PowerTech 4 and 5 blade). They are also smoother (less vibration). The more blades equals better balance which is less vibration. I also prefer the PowerTech cushion hub. It's so smooth to put the boat into and out of gear. Quiet, balanced, smooth, easy to turn the boat, amazing hole shot, fantastic reverse thrust for docking, decent fuel efficiency for extended range of the boat. I will end up with two of the SCE5 Modified Channel Surfing edition prop's.

They are sending me a new, anodized exhaust tube and diffuser for my SCE5 Modified. I'll wait a bit before I order a backup prop to let others get one.

I've been using my Yamaha SWSIi 3 blade as my backup prop. Earlier this year when I had to send the SCE5 back to PowerTech for work, I had to run the 3-blade for a couple of months. We went to Edmonds, in 2-3 foot seas in Puget Sound, windy day. I couldn't run the boat at 20+mph in the waves unless I wanted dental work on my back teeth fillings. Slowboating at 8mph sucked. The Edmonds/Kingston ferry was approaching, we were bobbing in the water with the waves, I was within sight of Edmonds. It wasn't a family friendly day as the Navy sailor in me came out (my mouth). I was frustrated because I knew I should be able to do 12-15mph and ride through that mess, but couldn't with only 3 blades. I was frustrated, and super excited when the SCE5 Modified came back a month later.

Here's a short video clip. This was filmed in Glacier bay, in the cockpit, with us underway doing 8mph, using the OFS4 (4-Blade PowerTech) prop.
It illustrates how noisy the prop isn't.

Thanks @Submariner! This is exactly what I was hoping. One more reason to go in this direction. I'm incredibly grateful for your attention to detail and responsiveness to the group.

 

[jack_patricia]

Martin, thank you for this second 'user perspective' video, the partner to your first 'data intesive' video. This second one helped me get a good sense for what living with one of these modified 4 or 5 blade props is like vs. my 250's 3-blade 'factory prop'. One observation you made in video #1 was the difficulty you had in getting accurate fuel burn (mpg) numbers off the Yamaha engine display. That's sure true for my 250. 1.2, 1.4 and 1.6 are the only numbers I've ever seen when at planing speeds; nothing in-between them. For those of us with the basic electronics package, do you have any suggestions for getting better real time fuel burn data? Thanks again for the time you have put into this project.