I am running a 2024 Suzuki DF60 on my 14* Evo 17V with the OEM Suzuki 11.75” round 17p prop.
It gets me max speed and will only air out with a lot of trim. Hole shot is mediocre as is grip.
I am considering a switch to the Powertech SCB3 17p which is a semi-cleaver and is only 10.37” diameter. I am willing to give up some top end for better hole shot, grip and stern lift.
I know the SCB provides all of these. My question is in regard to the diameter change. I assume a reduced diameter, with the same pitch and semi-cleaver design will still yield more rpm, and better performance. Anyone else made the same or similar move?
I am waiting, impatiently, for a jack plate that I want, and will be adding one soon. I am not sure yet if I will need cup on the prop once I add the plate. I have never had a JP on a skiff with this much deadrise so I am not sure if it will blow up lifted. I will likely add the Skiff Research hybrid plate as well.
I’d love some feedback from anyone who made the switch.
That powertech diameter is too small. Do a srd its 11.25 in diameter and has cup already. Or a srg its same diameter as suzuki and has cup. The suzuki propeller is great after you add cup but you have too much pitch to do so. You wintbturn it
100% on the feedback above. Get that plate first, the boat runs way different and you’ll want a heavy cupped prop, Foreman or Baumann. Powertech stock props never cut it for me when using a jack plate and running high.
I’m working with Marcus at PT on developing some shelf props that are much more aggressive than anything they offer right now. He called me a couple of months ago and we had nearly three hours of conversation on it. There’s nothing wrong with using custom prop shops but wouldn’t it be nice to be able to buy a shelf prop that works very well when super high and surface piercing?
Definitely would be great to have that option - that’s good news Mac, thanks for sharing. I’ve heard great things about PT props and their support is top notch. The staff at PT was great on the phone trying to help me dial in what we thought was the right prop. I’ve ran three different props from them and they just couldn’t meet the performance of what I’ve been running for years, which is a Foreman.
I’m the skiff rep for Holeshot Performance Props (aka HPP) and PowerTech is making their base props too. They come to Texas and get tweaked/ customized then machine balanced and indexed to maintain balance if you accidentally take the two halves apart. Foreman has been getting his “base props” from PT for years, he tweaks them to suit the customer’s needs. He also does full custom props but with his health deteriorating that will all be a thing of the past before long.
My issue is Jack plates. It’s an issue we all share. I really don’t want to stick 40# back there, or a 6” setback. I’m desperate for another option.
It really needs to be my first move. I just hate my options.
I have owned some insanely skinny boats and I have run custom props. This skiff is different in that it is 14*, not 3. It seems silly to jack it super high and I have no idea how the prop will act behind a V when jacked up. New territory for me. I assumed I would need some cup, but not 3x Bauman like my Caimen. I ran an SCB on my Glide with a 30 Tohatsu and I ran super skinny with minimal cavitation. That’s why I figured I’d start there. My Dolphin Renegade Pro also ran an SCB and with the pocket, I could run her with the skeg above the keel without blowing out too badly.
This skiff is different. I have never tried running a skiff like this jacked up. She runs skinnier than I expected just bone stock. I just don’t want to tear up grass getting out of the holes on low tides this season.
If anyone has run a deeper v skiff set up like this I’d like some feedback. I’m considering a Skiff Research Hybrid plate as well. When I run her with the motor on the highest hole I get soaked with spray. I think it will help with that, at least.
I am. Life has thrown some curve balls lately with some family health stuff and I haven’t gotten to it.
I really want NMEA on the boat first for better before and after. I need to get a jack plate too. It’s kind of a “first thing first” situation. The jack plate decision is hurting me. I’m probably going to buy another damned Atlas and just send it.
One of my first few installs was on a 12 degree Chittum 21 and I still take the new owner out on it now and then. The video of the 115 ProXS on my website is that boat. It is the old hull design with no pad so full 12 degrees all the way to the transom. Ran a triple cupped three blade on it and now it has a six blade HPP and will plane as long as you want at 12mph in less than a foot clean. Here’s a screen shot from the video and a photo from the 2021 Houston Fishing Show. It runs very well jacked up. I’ll text you some videos simce it’s a PITA to post them here.
I also just finished a 12 degree 21 with the new 10" pad design today here in Tampa and I’ll shoot some video of it when I’m testing props tomorrow. I suspect it will run a little better jacked up with the pad.
