Ok, I got a 35 sd (with a 3 blade) pushing a 18/60. 2 guys and gear, gas tank up front 17.2 mph. My dad forking smoked me in his excel 17/54 with a stock 35 MB (big blade prop) yesterday. I've played with the trim alot and I cant seem to get the speed up. I know it should run faster than this, and should at least hang with the MB. WTF am i doing wrong, the prop is the only thing I can think of. To my knowlege it is the original. Can you measure to see if it is wore out? What other options do I have as far as GD props go (aftermarket, 2 blade, big blade)?

Thanks

Billcollector.....where the hell you been bro?

I have the same motor with a 3 blade on a 1652 and with 2 guys no gear just gas and battery it runs 23 at 3800 rpms. That Is slower than I was expecting and I'm also wonder how to measure that prop for wear

Simple --- the GDSD 3 blade measures 3 1/2" - across the fat part of the blade
when new --- anything under 3 1/4" and performance suffers, rpms rise, and
it has a tendancy to "blow out" and should be replaced....

On average I get about 50 to 75 hours out of one before it needs replacement....

What up Craig!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Been lay'n low!

should bought a mud buddy!

Drop the 3 blade. 23-25 mph is the norm I've seen up here with two guys in the 200lb range and average gear being guns, 2 blind bags and 4 doz decoys.

Do you have flotation in your boat? It may me water-logged. Also what does da bottom look like?

I'm running 17-18 with 650lbs of people, 6 six dozen deks and other gear running up river at 10 degrees. With 2 blade, same rig. No dents but only 30 hrs on motor.

Thinkin the cold weather might have something to do with it?

These posts are useless without RPM numbers....

If you are going slow but turning 3800 or more RPM - your prop is toasted !

Well, I measured across every blade on the prop and...........they were all apx. 3" in width at the widest point. Running apx 3800 rpm's. Prop is shot right? Someone fill me in on the 2 blade's pros and cons.

Thanks for the help guys!

At 3" - yes the 3 blade prop is shot.... Get you a new one....

Bart (TX GD rep) is at the Corpus Boat show and can fix you up if you don't have
a local dealer - www.texasbackwater.com - scroll down to the bottom for his
phone number....

the GD 2 blade is a 12x12 - works best on smaller hulls w/lighter loads - so it
does great for my GDSD 1648 - but the 3 blade is likely the best for your 1860...
I get better top speed from the 2 blade solo - but most of the larger hulls
get the best top speed with the 11" 3 blade solo or loaded.... Also the 3 blade
is much less prone to vibration from being out of balance....

Also - are your lower positioning fins straight - or - did someone adjust them
to raise up in the back ??? See this often to prevent prop "blowout" when
a prop is worn out.... With a new prop this will cause your running trim to be
too deep and hurt performance.... The positioning fins should be straight - or
maybe have about an 1/8" rise - max.....

I know that I am turning 3720-3760 with my heavy load. I have been running in a river and the sand and gravel probably has not been helping me out.

I need to measure my prop. I look at it alot but that does no good. Its 10 degrees up here and I still have ice on my boat from two weeks ago. Thats why this site is awesome, guys always working on the boats and running them. Will there be any reps at the Indy boat show in 3 weeks?