A4's vs A5's

[KingFish]

After recently pulling off our props (c3's) for maintenance we decided to take the boat out for a run with our spare props (A4's). We saw much improved performance (top Speed 27knts). after seeing how the A4's perform we want to test the boat with a set of A5's. If anyone has a set of A5's lying around may we borrow them to test on our boat?

[Malu Lani]

John at blackmans told me that A4 is the best prop for the billfisher.

[NoSlack]

That boat is real heavy, keep an eye on your temp and how long she takes to get to rated RPM when you push the throttle up. You'll get a lifetimes worth of use out of a 90% loaded diesel and just a few years out of one pushed to 110%.

Mike

[KingFish]

we are not trying to over stress the boat/engine just see how a set of A5's perform on with a light load. When testing the A4's we had 3 people on the boat and around 45 gal of fuel, empty bait tank, empty fresh water tank. we would like to perform the same test with A5's.

[Wizard]

What motor do you have? I run A5s or A6s.. have some around, not sure which ones. Need a new set of one or the other myself. But I run a KAD42

[KingFish]

We have the AD41-P with the DP-E... With the A-4's we came up to speed very quick. We tested it a couple of times bringing the throttle up slowly until we hit 3,900 RPM... We still had a lot of throttle travel (over 1/2 inch) after reaching 3,900.

Since most of our use will be running "light" (if there is such a thing in a Blackman) with 3 adults and a child, 1/2 fuel and either a empty bait tank or at most 1/2 full... We are going to buy another set of props and would like to try the A-5's to see what kind of performance we get loaded as described... such as max RPM, max speed, speed at 3,600, 3,400, etc and the temp of the engine. We don't expect the water temp to be an issue at this time because of the 58 degree water... We do a lot of fishing in the San Francisco area and the water is always cold up there (50-55)...

By the way, the cheapest we have found the new propellers for is $624.84 which includes shipping and no CA sales tax at:


http://www.marinepartsexpress.com/propellers.shtml?gclid=CPDnoI35kZECFQU6awodgilkPg

If you know of anywhere cheaper would appreciate to know where.

[Wizard]

I can never find deals on VP props... only used through friends on here sometimes. I think my mains are !6s, and I have !5s hanging in garage.. will double check over weekend and post.

[Knot Now]

What gear ratio? I have the 1:1.78 with a AD41-P and I am running A-3s
Phil

[KingFish]

Ours is the AD41-P with the DP-E which is a 1:1.95. With the C-3's (SS with 3 blades front and back) we toped out at 3,900 and 21 kts. With the A-4's we again toped out at 3,900 and 26.5 kts and still had more throttle travel. In both cases water temp stayed the same at 195 but we have not calibrated to see just how accurate the gage is. Need to do that.

We just want to experiment with the A-5's to see what we get. We are thinking of running the A-4's when heavy and the A-5's when light. If this works out, we will be selling the C-3's.

If your gear ration is 1:1.78, recommend you try the A-4's if you have not already done so. If we had that gear ratio, I would buy the A-5's without hesitation. I went to Blackman's and Steve pulled the invoice for the engine and outdrive and it is a 1:1.95. I thought we had the 1:1.78 as well.

[Knot Now]

http://sandiego.craigslist.org/csd/boa/557287757.html

A-5s for $350

I do not know this person.

[Wizard]

Kingfish, Turns out I have a set of A5s hanging in the garage if you wish to borrow them?

I finally looked at my bad set I just took off my boat and they are A4s. I need a new set of A4s, wish that craigslist post had those.

I run 1:1.78 with a 230HP KAD42 super and turbo charged.

[NoSlack]

Glenn

There's an A4 front prop on ebay for $100(buy it now price)

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Volvo-Penta-A4-Duo-Prop-Diesel-Gas-AD30-AD31-AD40-AD41_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ26456QQihZ010QQite mZ200184581004QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWD1VQQtrksidZp163 8Q2em118Q2el1247

[Wizard]

Good price.. but could spend a year finding a back prop. Back one is the one that is bad in my set.. but as always, thanks for looking out for us. :)

[NoSlack]

When I got my last set, I scored the front off ebay and bought the back one new. Saved a couple hundred on the set going that way.

Mike

[KingFish]

Wizard, thanks for the offer but we bought that set of A-5's that Know Now found on craigslist. It does not look like we will be able to get out on the water this weekend but hopefully next weeked. Thanks for all the assistance and info.

[KingFish]

The add on Craigslist says he has A4's and A6's as well... We bought the A5's brand new for $325.00 cash....

By the way, I was wrong on the gear ration... it is 1.95:1 not 1:1.95... Same is true of the 1.78:1 vs 1:1.78... another reason we picked up the A5's... 1.95 reves of the engine = 1 rev of the propellers.

It appears that we will have a set of C3's to sell.

[Wizard]

He has D4s and D6s, those are for the X series outdrive. I called him anyhow just to check, no A4s

[Professor]

I've got a set of A4's for sale. $325

[Wizard]

Yale.. sold.. good shape as far as you know?

PM me your phone/address.