225 HO Engine - Running Spare 26 pitch 3 blade Raker - Odd Noises & Hesitation

[champ203rude]

I spun my 4 blade prop ( Renegade 13.5 x 23 ) which had an awesome bite and a quick on plain transition. I'm now running this 3 blade Raker that is a 14.5 x 26.

When i hammer it down for getting on plan it feels like the boat/prop go thru a challenge getting a 'bite' and getting on plane. Most notably the engine actually 'sounds' like it's going through some phases of trying to get a bite in the water. It's not like a spun prop sound but it almost feels like the prop is catching air or something through the transition before it fully bites in. When i finally get it on plan i do get it up around 70 mph but it's a very odd transition from zero to on plain.

Anyone know what the symptoms sound like ?

Thanks

[THE WITCHDOCTOR]

Sounds like the prop slipping.. might lower the plate a little and see if it gets better... if so take it to a prop shop and have them put some bite in it..

[champ203rude]

Thanks! What does it mean when you say 'take it to a prop shop to get some bight on it?'. Turns out, when i bought this boat ( Champion 2000 203 ) the guy who i bought it from had told me that he 'had the 4 blade prop sent in from to get it tuned for some bite' and i had no idea what it meant so i left it as unimportant information.

Just trying to learn.

Thanks

[rude power]

ive ran both of those props and the gade needs to run higher, so trying lowering the motor about 3/4"
' for the raker

[champ203rude]

Wow! Your experience sounds like is 'dead on' with what i've experienced. Thanks.... 3/4" makes that much difference ? That's amazing.

Thanks again.

[ChampioNman]

If you're not running a Raker thrust washer on it that could be the problem too. Raker is more of a surfacing prop. That 203 will be happy between 3.25"- 3.5" below the pad. The Raker's barrel's OD matches up to the ID of the gearcase pretty closely. So the exhaust gas comes out the three holes on the side of the blades to help "spin" it up. Once she breaks over it sounds like all hell breaking loose and then she'll bite again. That is normal for a Raker. A Renegade is an over the hub exhaust prop and the barrel is smaller in diameter the exhaust gases flow over the blades to cause the ventillation and in most cases a weed ring is installed as an add on to the lower unit to divert the flow into the prop barrel. The Raker will give you better top end and the Gade will give you better hole shot and better handling in tight places like river channels. It's happy spot on the 203 is right around the 3.5" mark.

[champ203rude]

awesome input! thank you....

[Jumping Jimmy]

It lloks like you are going from a 23 gade to a 26 raker. I believe that will be a little much for you engine. You probably need a 24 raker. Let us know how the 26 runs..