Hunter 26 Outboard prop

[DetroitAC]

Hello, first time poster, I'm hoping someone can help me out with a simple answer to a not so simple question.

I have a new to me 1994 Hunter 26, original outboard was an Evinrude 2 stroke 9.9hp that let me down on the very first time out on the water. Carburetor linkage fell apart when I got to near full throttle, was a simple fix the next week, but I still had to be towed back to my launch ramp.

Frustrated, I bought a new Suzuki 9.9hp since it has everything I want long term. Bigger alternator (still tiny really, but the biggest you can get in a 9.9), electric start that works, EFI, power tilt. I'm a machinist and welder, had to make a new shifter handle since the motor well on the H26 was designed for much smaller 2 strokes. It fits fine now, but I think I'll be making a different transom bracket to move the motor aft a bit.

Now I'm adjusting the propeller size and pitch, and trial and error is expensive, I'm hoping for some help here. Outboard came with a 10" diameter 5 pitch, 4 blade propeller. Has great thrust at low speeds, after about 1/3 throttle, I thought the only thing increasing was the noise and RPM, speed felt the same. I've bought a 10" 7 pitch, 4 blade and a digital tachometer so I can really tell what's going on, also going to fix the wiring to the knotmeter before I go out again. I'm wondering if the default Suzuki prop is for use as a fishing boat kicker and entirely wrong for a sailboat?

I'm just trying to reach hull speed, don't think I'm even close right now. If you have a similar size boat and motor, could you please tell me what prop you use?

Thanks in advance, Erik

 

[JoeWhite]

What was the max hull speed you reached measured using a GPS?

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

Firm dealer well known. The 9.9 at full throttle will plow, so back off. You will know when the bow raises up thus slowing you down.
Follow the brackets of the 260 which puts the motor outward which are the same bolt pattern as on your boat

 

[rgranger]

You can't make a displacement hull go faster than a speed that generates a bow wave with a wavelength larger than the boat's length. For the H26, your maximum hull speed is about 6 kts. So at about half throttle you are probably already there. I have a Tohatsu 6 on my boat and I hit hull speed at about 2/3 WOT.

The extra you have in your 9.9 will come in handy if you ever have to fight a head wind.

 

[rgranger]

In otherwords, forget about your prop and go sailing....

 

[DetroitAC]

rgranger, yes I know about hull speed. Kindly stop stowing away on my boat and observing my throttle position .

No, I'm not going to forget about my prop, it's the wrong prop and the subject of this thread. I have to travel down a long channel to reach Lake St. Clair, and also want to motorsail up the St Clair River to get to Lake Huron when the wind dies. Motor cost about $3k, the right prop will cost about $60 to $150 and extract the thrust from the motor that I've already paid for.

 

[rgranger]

Well the Tohatsu did come with the high thrust prop so maybe I'm spoiled.

 

[ronhanson01]

I have a yamaha 9.9 high thrust on my 260. It has an 11.75 x7 (3) bladed prop. I'm at 5600ft so the motor is breathing thin air but I'm very happy with this. A lot of maneuvering power in the marina. It hits a little over 6 knots at 3/4 throttle and just wont rev any higher.

 

[DetroitAC]

Joe, I didn't track it using GPS

Ron, thanks for the good data point, nice to see another sailor from the West, I grew up there but only started sailing when I got to Michigan.

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

Good advice given Ron. Thanks

Crazy Dave