Need Help with R-23, wrong prop for Lake Powell what to buy

[forfun1960]

Been here four days at Lake Powell trying to work out why I can't plane on my 2017 R-23. Best I can tell I have the wrong prop which is a Yamaha prop 14-M x 14 1/2. Anyone out there boated Lake Powell with an R-23 with Yamaha 200, have any info on the proper prop and best place to order from? I am ready to buy and fedex one as I have another week here and not happy only being able to go at hull speed.

 

[scross]

At 3,600 ft or so the boat won’t have the same performance as at sea level. Just something to keep in mind.

 

[Familyguy]

Don’t know about lake Powell’s elevation as I am at sea level, but sometime ago I went to a 13 Pitch x 14.5 Yamaha Reliance series instead of the stock 14 pitch x 14.5 Yamaha Reliance series. It gave me better performance getting on plane and staying on plane in rough water when fully loaded. I can also hit 6000rpm at WOT.

Hope this helps in your decision. Good Luck!

 

[cathy&ron]

Make sure your engine is all the way down. It goes down in 2 stages, and in the first stage you won't go over 12 mph.

 

[BB marine]

Rule of thumb is 3% loss of power for every 1000 ft of altitude.

Lake Powell is about 3600 '

Kentucky Lake is about 360'

Your power loss could be 10%

You need to know what your WOT rpm would be if you were at Kentucky Lake loaded the way you are now. If you were turning 5500 rpm WOT and now not able to get on plane at WOT I would question that much power loss. But I don't know your boat. If you were turning 5200 rpm and now 4500rpm. I would agree a prop change will help increase the rpm and may help jump the boat on plane.

The important component is to make sure that the engine is preforming properly first. Confirm that is is running on all cylinders. No engine codes. I you are not sure have a certified Yamaha dealer check it out before propping it. If the engine is operating properly then its time to prop it for elevation and load.

I use the rule 1" pitch same diameter= 200 rpm. Normally prop manufactures use 2" increments in pitch size. Usually a 2" increase in pits will gain 300+ rpm if diameter and cup are the same. If you are at 4500 rpm engine running properly boat loaded and 3600' altitude a prop with 4" less pitch would be a starting point. Dropping that much gets tricky. Sometimes there is a loss of efficiency when the pitch angle is too small. I would highly advise getting information from a prop shop. You are from Illinois call Air Marine in Chicago. They are very good at what they do.

 

[forfun1960]

We had a local mechanic look at it, not a Yamaha tech but he believes it is the prop. And spoke with Yamaha tech on the phone he agrees it is prop. The engine runs perfectly with no codes have already put 12 hours on the boat since we been here.

I have PMed both Ruby and Mystery Girl both have R-23''s and boat at higher evaluations looking forward to hearing what prop they are using. Am here another week and really want to get this resolved will certainly be back next year. Lake Powell is amazing.

 

[Hamster]

You may have too much weight in the back of the boat, too. Shift weight forward if you can. One time I could not get up on plane at sea level in my R23 when we had three people on board and a lot of gear (kayaks, crab pots, coolers, extra anchor, etc.) in the cockpit. Made it get up on plane by using the trim tabs (down), but that is probably not the best approach. I have now moved extra gear stored in the cockpit forward to avoid that.

 

[knotflying]

We had a local mechanic look at it, not a Yamaha tech but he believes it is the prop. And spoke with Yamaha tech on the phone he agrees it is prop. The engine runs perfectly with no codes have already put 12 hours on the boat since we been here.

I have PMed both Ruby and Mystery Girl both have R-23''s and boat at higher evaluations looking forward to hearing what prop they are using. Am here another week and really want to get this resolved will certainly be back next year. Lake Powell is amazing.

So do I understand correctly? It's the prop? You were fine running in Illinois and all of a sudden from Illinois to Lake Powel the prop mysteriously changed? I say it is the altitude. Maybe a different prop will give you the performance. The next observation is since you are concerned about your fuel burn cost, will the cost of the temporary prop save you money? You are loosing time, which is even more precious. Go slow and smell the roses. You may like it and buy a classic. :lol: If you plan on going back to Lake Powel get your ducks in a row without the pressure of time and be prepared for a longer stay on the water. If I sound a bit harsh, I don't mean to be. I just want you to stop your angst and enjoy the scenery without sitting at the dock waiting for a prop.

 

[scross]

We spent 12 nights in Lake Powell just getting back 6 days ago. Had a fantastic trip. Lake Powell is spectacular! Cruised over 250 miles and explored more than 2 dozen canyons from Wahweap to Knowles Canyon at MM107. Anchored out 8 nights.
Never went faster than 10 mph. Unless this was a water skiing trip I can’t imagine the real need to go any faster!

 

[az9133bm]

We're hopeful that our 13 pitch did the trick for you. It was great to meet you yesterday!

The 13 pitch Yamaha Reliance Series seems to be ideal for us.

Altitude and full provisioning are your enemy on the lake. We were on the lake last week and planed successfully with full gas, full water, four people, three dogs, two paddle boards, zodiac, 6 hp tender outboard, and five days worth of food and beverage, etc. Once fuel burns off and provisions deplete it gets easier and easier, however, here are our tips to get on plane with a fully provisioned R23 on Lake Powell:
1. Position with wind and sea astern.
2. Tabs up.
3. Trim down.
4. Full throttle.
5. At 4800 rpm, both tabs down quickly
6. At 5100 rpm, trim up two bars.
7. At 5200 rpm, tabs up slowly to plane.
8. Tabs up, only use "starboard bow down" (actual port tab) to keep boat level
9. If sea state allows, trim up two bars.

Of course, all crew to the v-berth until planed!

We cruise Lake Powell at 5400 rpm and achieve 30 mph and 2.0 mpg.

Good luck!