Prop Replacement

[landloctbtr]

Hello fellow boaters,
I am new to the forum and have been enlightened on several topics I was in question about. I recently inherited a 44' Trojan here in Kansas and will run into a few questions that I will look this forum for insight on. Me and my father started working on this boat about 10 years ago, It is still a work in progress and I feel I will never get it to how I imagine it being in my head as me and family of 5 enjoy it during the boating season. With that being said, I am looking into 2 new props. My father was told several years ago the props(brass) have been reworked too much and he could not do anything to them. So my first question is, should I venture to my local prop store and pick a couple of props at high retail(remember I am in Kansas). Or is there an outlet via the internet I should look into first? Next question, this is a mid 70's model, is there any certain type of prop in production now that would benefit the fuel ratio(twin 454 crusaders) or just stick with manufacturing spec? Also, the port carrier bearing(closest to the prop) has some play in it. Where would be my best place to shop via the internet for bearings in the driveline (is this something I can do myself?)? I have confidence that the marina it is slipped at can change an impeller in a 5.7 bravo i/o, but this is not that so I will return to this forum regularly for advice and input. Thanks all!

[AwayOnBusine$$]

Welcome to the FORUM! There will be lots of help here and we all want pictures.

[prowlersfish]

How is running with the props it has now ? That can give you a clue as to what props its needs . Stock props are ok but are in many cases on the edge of being over propped ( to get max speed numbers ) as we add gear our boats get heavier . And may need less pitch .


And welcome to the forum

[P-Dogg]

the port carrier bearing(closest to the prop)

You are no doubt talking cutlass bearing. Many resources on Google/Youtube to help you there.

Welcome to the forum! You'll find a wealth of Trojan info here, either through "live" chat, or via the search feature (with 3, 4, and 5 decade old boats, brand new problems are rare). And I am a big fan of Nigel Calder's Boat Owner's Mechanical and Electrical Manual.

[Big D]

Welcome aboard.

As noted above, cutlass bearings are within the scope of a DYI boater. Having the right tools either bought or made makes it easier though. Search the web for both replacement instructions and retail sources for the bearings. You'll need the shaft diameter, the outside diameter of the current bearing, and its length.

[landloctbtr]

How is running with the props it has now ? That can give you a clue as to what props its needs . Stock props are ok but are in many cases on the edge of being over propped ( to get max speed numbers ) as we add gear our boats get heavier . And may need less pitch .


And welcome to the forum

Thanks for the insight, it is running about 15-17 mph at 2500 rpms. I remember something about the prop store saying the blades on the current brass props flatten out(pitch) as you put throttle to the motors and you get less performance. I am not sure if there is any truth to that. Idle speed is great in the marina, the boat does not throw a wake and nobody seems to mind it. I am not sure but I would guess that this boat could handle all the gear I could put on it and should not make a difference either way. Im not looking to get this boat to plane, just asking around for whether a new design would be beneficial both performance and price. Thanks

I will get some photos up after I make it to the lake.

Thanks

[prowlersfish]

What rpm are you getting at wide open ? 15-17 mph at 2500 sounds good for a 44' , but I am not sure what speeds the should run .

[RonW]

You mentioned a mid 70s Trojan 44. Does it look like this -------------------------------------------------->>>>
in which case it is a 44 FBMY (fly bridge motor yacht).

One afternoon, while I was down below, my friend took us off-channelling by mistake and found a log. I got through the rest of the year but I had to fix my props this winter. They were able to repair one, but I was told that the other had been fixed too many times already. From friends that know this shop, I trust them (Kawartha Prop Repair in Lakefield, Ontario). To avoid having two slightly different props, I decided to go with two new ones.

I am getting the same as what was on there. Michigan Wheel, 24" x 24" brass with no cupping. My engines are 454 Mercruiser gas (same as yours).
I found props at deepblueyachtsupply.com at very reasonable $1385 US. But I decided to buy them from Kawartha Props (at somewhat more money) so they could check them out for balance and pitch. They told me that the much higher priced props (such as Apex) make a big difference at high speed but not much at low speed.

Now, I'm just coming from 40 years of 70+ mph to this boat last summer, so I'm puttering around at 14 mph at 2200 rpm (and loving it). I've never even tested what this thing will do at WOT (and don't really care). Any faster and I would need an Imperial tanker to follow me.

Hope this contributes to your decision.

Ron

[RonW]

Hi again landloctbtr

Just a clarification...... my props just arrived and they are....
Michigan Wheel DynaQuad 24" x 24" 4 blade bronze
to match what was there.

Ron

[RonW]

Good to go. Very pretty.
Interesting.... the smaller nut is the prop nut, the larger nut is the jamb nut and goes on last.

RonW

[prowlersfish]

Nice

[DOUGNASH]

Good to go. Very pretty.
Interesting.... the smaller nut is the prop nut, the larger nut is the jamb nut and goes on last.

RonW

New props look mint

Is that a hydraulic swim platform?

Lets see some more pics of that please

[RonW]

Hi Doug

Rather than hijack the Prop thread, I'll start a new post for the hydraulic lift.

Ron