Howdy folks. I have a Honda BF8A outboard on the 26D right now. I would like to be able to get lower speeds when under power for fine maneuvering around the marina, and for trolling for kokanee (the mac is a dual purpose utility vehicle in our house). I know next to nothing about outboards and props. I just had a full service done out the outboard and the gentlemen recommended getting a lower pitch prop as one means of accomplishing this.
I believe this outboard comes with a 9 1/2 x 8 5/8 three blade prop (I'll confirm this when I'm at the boat this weekend). Should I be looking for something with like a 5" pitch? I see a honda high thrust advertised in some places at 10"x5" 4 blades. Is this kind of what I'm looking for? And are the splines on these fairly universal to allow this to just be a plug and play?
Bonus points if anyone else has done anything similar. I'd really love to be able to idle along at 1.5kts. If I can't get down that slow I'll go the drift sock/drogue method, but I'd like to just get the right prop for our usage.
Thanks!
26D and prop selection
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Be Free
- Admiral
- Posts: 1889
- Joined: Fri Nov 23, 2012 6:08 pm
- Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
- Location: Steinhatchee, FL
Re: 26D and prop selection
Props are not universal although there is a lot of overlap. These are the props that will fit your engine (and every other Honda) according to the manufacturer.
https://marine.honda.com/parts/accessor ... propellers
https://marine.honda.com/parts/accessor ... propellers
Bill
2001 26X Simple Interest
Honda BF40D
"If I were in a hurry I would not have bought a sailboat." Me
2001 26X Simple Interest
Honda BF40D
"If I were in a hurry I would not have bought a sailboat." Me
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OverEasy
- Admiral
- Posts: 2873
- Joined: Mon Sep 28, 2020 11:16 am
- Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
- Location: NH & SC
Re: 26D and prop selection
Hi Trswem!
Prop selection is always an interesting topic and process!
As far as I know one of the first things to consider is the actual application (what boat is it to be mounted on) as that is the defining baseline. You already have that!
The second thing I know to consider is selecting a prop size that won’t let you over rev your engine. This is important!
When one wants to operate at WOT (wide open throttle) the last thing you want happening is to be operating accidentally beyond the recommended max engine RPMs! Doing so can dramatically shorten the useful life of your engine… which is not only an avoidable expense but a real PITA when it happens (as one is generally trying to use it!
Now, given you want to be trolling and with your current prop it would appear to be going too fast at idle speed.
To slow down you’ll need to move to a finer pitch prop… one with less bite, not more.
That way you’ll move less forward with each prop revolution because the prop is moving a smaller bite.
Hope this helps
Best Regards
Over Easy
Prop selection is always an interesting topic and process!
As far as I know one of the first things to consider is the actual application (what boat is it to be mounted on) as that is the defining baseline. You already have that!
The second thing I know to consider is selecting a prop size that won’t let you over rev your engine. This is important!
When one wants to operate at WOT (wide open throttle) the last thing you want happening is to be operating accidentally beyond the recommended max engine RPMs! Doing so can dramatically shorten the useful life of your engine… which is not only an avoidable expense but a real PITA when it happens (as one is generally trying to use it!
Now, given you want to be trolling and with your current prop it would appear to be going too fast at idle speed.
To slow down you’ll need to move to a finer pitch prop… one with less bite, not more.
That way you’ll move less forward with each prop revolution because the prop is moving a smaller bite.
Hope this helps
Best Regards
Over Easy