Distance from prop strut and prop.

[duffymahoney]

My prop seems very close to the prop strut and I somehow had the key move and actually touch the strut. Anybody know how close the prop should be to the strut? Could engine have moved slightly further forward causing this? I am getting a lot of cavitation and I am trying to figure out why. The prop is so close to the strut that I had to grind the fingers of the puller to clear the distance.

[mjsti]

I'll measure mine tonight, but I don't recall it being that close when I replaced my prop this past spring. I certainly didn't have to modify the puller. Was it like that when you got it? It could have been replaced with a improper length.

[duffymahoney]

The shaft could have been replaced with the wrong length. Most likely I think the engine got shifted back. I am gonna look at the motor mounts tonight. Please measure if you could. What diameter prop are you running?

[duffymahoney]

I mean the engine got shifted forward.

[bigdaddy_houseboater]

How can you shift the engine forward? Mine is fixed longitudinally. (danged long word)
I have a 20i.

[mjsti]

I'm running a 1631 prop, 13.5" diameter 14.25" pitch due to clearance issues.

[duffymahoney]

Ok I am also running a 13.5 prop. Yeah let me know on how close the prop is to the strut if you could.

[duffymahoney]

Well engine alignment can't fix the distance. I wonder what is going on.

[mjsti]

I have about a inch between the prop and strut.

[duffymahoney]

Well I don't think I have that. Weird. Does the keyway on the shaft go all the way to the strut? It's does on mine.

[mjsti]

I'll have to check to verify, but I don't think it does. If I recall correctly, the shaft is all around smooth from the prop to the strut.

If its worthwhile, I would pull the shaft and measure to be sure you have the right length. You have a '05 right? When I talked to ACME they wanted to fit me with a bigger prop but couldn't due to spacing. Don't quote me (going from absolute memory here), but I thought they told me '05 and later a bigger prop would fit due to increased spacing in the hull design. You might want to verify you have the correct shaft length if you only have enough spacing for a 13.5" prop. Just my $.02.

[duffymahoney]

I measured and didn't have enough spacing for the 13.75 or the 14. I am gonna pull the boat out tonight. The prop shop thinks my shaft key moving is most likely the issue. Someone probably rounded it off and it doesn't fit correctly anymore. So I bought a brand new one. We will see. Gonna try the 537. I have never had a power issue so hopefully I still don't.

[mjsti]

Good luck, hope you figure it out. I've considered getting a 537 as a spare, I'd be interested how well it works with your ballast set up.

[duffymahoney]

I really hope it's just a bad key thing. I didn't always do the vibration. Acme says that the prop only need 1/2 an inch between the prop and the strut. And my 13.5 clears fine.

[bigdaddy_houseboater]

Good luck, hope you figure it out. I've considered getting a 537 as a spare, I'd be interested how well it works with your ballast set up.

537 is a good choice, as many buy new props in different sizes and sell their stock props.

I think you can get one for $150 if you look around and be patient.