First Landers and Bent Prop

[andertonm]

Today was the re-enactment of the First Landing on Cape Henry in 1607. Crummy weather, fog, mid 60s, wind from the northeast. Probably just what the original John Smith crew encountered. Daughter-in law and Grandkids rode their bikes down there to attend the sold out show and they said it was fun. People have worked hard, particularly the people from the Eastern Shore Sultana Project who took it upon themselves to re-create 17th century boats to honor this occasion. Queen Liz and Prince Phil will be in the area for festivities that follow. I'm and Anglophile, so no disrespect intended...

Parker connection? Well, my boat partner turned our new 2320 in for 20 hour check while all this was going on. I have posted tales of woe about the Yammy 225 not running right from the outset. Dealer put in new plugs after our maiden voyage and it ran better, but even SWMBO said it "sounded like a helicopter " at mid-range. She's very perceptive. So, during the 20 hour check dealer checked the prop and checked the prop shaft for runout. Shaft was OK. Prop was farmed out to Murphy's Prop Shop - the go-to guys for prop work around here. They found that the center of the hub was two plus degrees out of whack and one blade was three eighths of an inch off course. They also added some cup to give better hole-shot. My immediate reaction was that the dealer would try to blame this on us, but, to their credit, they took care of it, but the 20 hour service was still three hundred clams. Good for them - they need to make a living. Brought the boat home, but it was too rough in the bay to really wring it out. One of the service guys mentioned that we really needed to have a Saltwater Series prop on the boat. Any comments on that?

 

[esfishdoc]

I am amazed at how much difference there are in props.

I've got the same engine only on a 2520 and I'm now running a Rev 4 14 5/8 X 15. There is a huge improvement... although the perfect prop may be the Rev 4 in 17 pitch.

The SWS may turn out to be a huge improvement.

What prop do you have now? I'm going to guess it is a 14 1/2 X 19.

Richard

 

[Outta Here]

One of the service guys mentioned that we really needed to have a Saltwater Series prop on the boat. Any comments on that?

Every Parker that comes out of Beaufort has a black, ss Yamaha prop on it. Thousands of them in service worldwide. Why was your prop so (3/8") distorted? The service guy that said you needed a Saltwater Series prop, was he the one that told you "a lot of Yamahas come with bad plugs" ?

As far as Parkers coming from the factory with trash in the tanks ? Anything is possible. I have never heard of a new Parker with trash causing motor problems. Every Parker I know of has a fuel filter on it. .

I've been following your troubles with the motor. As I understand it, after the new "Bad" plugs were replaced, the motor still runs rough. Now the prop's bad, and you need a new style prop. :?

What are the odds that you have the only Parker that came from the factory with "bad plugs", trash in the tank that got past the filter (s), and a mis-cast prop?

IMO, you've got one of the finest hulls and motors available at any price. Once you said you expected "turbine smooth motor". You're right. When I hear comments from personel like you're getting, I leave. If you have to pay for service somewhere else, IMO, you're better off. One time a "technican" told me he didn't use anti-sieze on lower unit bolts 'cause "the bolts would work lose and the lower unit would fall off".

BTW, once you get the motor performing as it should, try a Merc Rev 4 ( 17, might pull a 19). I'm betting you'll like it. Not magic, but an improvement.

Good luck.

 

[andertonm]

We're getting the story about the prop second hand, and stories get distorted quickly. There was no visible damage to the prop, but maybe it got "nudged" during the shipping, loading, trailering process before we got it.

As far as the engine performance goes, the first time we took it in I asked the tech if they had the capability to do a cylinder balance test. He said his laptop would allow him to shut down injectors individually. Nothing we got back from them ever indicated they actually performed the test. Instead, we got a printout saying everything was operating within parameters.

Hope the weather is good enough tomorrow to go wring it out. As far as the boat itself goes, its wonderful. Roomy and very substantial.

 

[andertonm]

Visit to dealer and repairs to prop (why did it need repairs?) made no discernable difference. Terry thinks it might be actually vibrating a little more at mid-range. Again, I am the beneficiary of the group wisdom on this forum. You guys sent me off looking at the Merc 4 prop and I also found the Enertia. They claim the equivalent of 30 extra horsepower. But then we filled the gas tank and it cost 300+, so I think maybe I'll wait.

 

[grouperjim]

Not sure about your other problems, but as far as the prop goes definitely get the rev 4 17 pitch for the f225. Also, have your motor raised to the hole second from the top. I have the rev 4 19 pitch on my 2320 f250 and to me that prop has been MAGIC. FYI I had the f225 on by previous boat (parker23 cc) and loved the smoothness and refinement of that engine.