Propeller tune and Puller

[Halcyon]

Hi, I am pulling the props, 22x23 4 balde, to get a the RPM up to spec and am considering two options. First is the standard repitch and ballance for $90 each. Second is a ISO 1 computer tune for $300 each. Computer tunes have seemed worth in on my last boat, but it was gas powered and the prop was spinning a lot faster.

Do you think I will notice a difference on a 20kt boat with much lower prop speeds? I expect the computer tune would increase efficiency but $400 will buy a lot of fuel.

I am also in the market for a prop puller. Can anyone comment on which type is best? I see two viable similarly priced options, the type that looks somewhat like a giant C clamp or the type with two plates and a series of bolts running between the blades. Any suggestions?

Many thanks!

[Russell]

If you are buying the prop puller just for this job you should check with the prop shop to see if they will lend you one. The shops around here a happy to do it to get the business.

[RobS]

I have the pro puller which is probably the c clamp style you are referring to. Works great, have used it on the hard as well us underwater with scuba gear. The $90 must be a re-cup, not re-pitch. If your wheels have a heavy cup you may just be able to remove some cup and get a few rpm's back..

[DougSea]

Had my prop fixed the "normal" way after I hit an underwater "something" on my first voyage Think it was a waterlogged 4x4.

After that I didn't get the right RPMs and while it wasn't bad I did have some vibration. I saw the local Prop-scan guy at the Norwalk boat show (http://www.pitchperfectprops.com/) and decided to give it a shot. One of the best investments I've made. Dead on RPMs and a much smoother ride. And he lent me the puller! Even though the props are spinning slower you're still putting a lot of power into the water! And with the computer records you can take it to another Prop-scan shop (say, on a trip and you pull a "Doug" as above) and they can perfectly match what you had. And if you get spares...same thing.

I'm voting for the computer version.

[zinbaad]

Last year I pulled both props off to have them tuned & Prop scanned. It was suggested to have a scan so if in the event they got damaged anywhere I could have props or Prop matched to original specs. Rpms came up about 100 rpm but that also could be the result of new bottom paint. A friend lent me a Prop Knocker, small 3 lb bronze solid Cap 1 3/4 thread fits on end of shaft. You bang it with a small sledge hammer and the is loosened... seemed radical banging a shaft but prop guy said its what they used. Cost about $50 solid little peice, easy to store