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I have had it with my Honda 50 and have traded up to a Suz. 70. Todd at BWY suggested a 13 pitch 3 blade factory prop and I am interested to hear of others experience with props on the Suz. 70.

A word about the Honda. Weak. I switched to a 4 blade prop and had it re-pitched three times but could never get more than 14.7 MPH (GPS) at WOT (5600 RPM) Nine to ten MPH seemed to be the best I could get at a reasonable cruise (4400 RPM) Nowhere near the 20 MPH I hope to see with the 70HP. I think the Honda is just a weak 50 compared with other makes.

I wil make a post after the 70 is installed and let everyone who is interested know my performance results.

Comments on the prop will be appreciated.

11 pitch seems to work best for a loaded Mac and keeps your RPM's up at the desired level.

try to get a "pontoon" style prop (versus a "racing/performance" prop) with large "dog ears" which will provide you with more surface area to move water.
experience with a Mac suggests that a prop will tend to cavitate under loads if the blades are not large enough. that's why a "work" prop is desired.

remember, for a boat this size (length and weight) normally a 150+hp would be in order. so by powering with anything less (which is what the Mac is all about) you are actually using a small motor to push a large boat.
therefore, you want to be able to achieve the manufacturer's suggested RPM range at WOT with (in your case) the Suzuki 70.

the Solas looks like a good choice:

Solas Props

Bob T.
"DaBob"
'02X w/ '04 90-TLDI & '06 2.5-Suzuki

My Suzuki-60 is a detuned version of your DF-70. IIRC, my Mac dealer chose the Suzuki 13.75x15, but it was too much pitch. He had it de-pitched down to 13 ... still too much. I think 14x11 is usually the correct choice for any large motor 26X, definitely for your 26X if you cruise with average weight of crew and stores. Perhaps the big 2-strokers (90 horses) might be okay with a 13 pitch;
but IMO the 11-pitch is a better first-choice for your DF-70.

We have a 26M with a Suzuki DF70 with 3 x 13.75 x 13 prop - this is what it came with from BWY last year. We routinely hit 20-21 mph according to GPS.

nemo wrote:We have a 26M with a Suzuki DF70 with 3 x 13.75 x 13 prop - this is what it came with from BWY last year. We routinely hit 20-21 mph according to GPS.

the correct RPM operating range for a Suzi 70 is 5200-5800 at WOT.

when you are in your normally loaded M (with family and typical gear), what is your RPM guage indicating at WOT?

if it's barely at 5200 (as i suspect), then i suggest you purchase and install an 11 pitch prop. try to stay with the 14" diameter size.
then use your 13 pitch as a spare or when you anticipate a very light load.

long term, you'll do less harm to your motor.

I recentlly installed a Piranha Propeller, 3-blade 14x11 B-style on my 2003 M with Suzy DF70. The ocean was a bit rough when I took it out so I did not get a good speed run. Getting to WOT was no problem.

Bruce M16 wrote:I recentlly installed a Piranha Propeller, 3-blade 14x11 B-style on my 2003 M with Suzy DF70. The ocean was a bit rough when I took it out so I did not get a good speed run. Getting to WOT was no problem.

Hmmm ... I tried that same Pirahna prop on my DF60 earlier this season. On my 26X, the motor simply spun it silly, like my college Corvette burning rubber. Now I'm puzzled. That set of blades is in the box waiting to be returned, but maybe I need to try remounting that Pirahna for some extended sea trials.

We routinely take 4 kids and two adults with the kids wakeboarding on our Honda 50 and no mast. It will hit a top speed of 17 mph with the kids on the wakeboard or not. The 4 bladed prop made a big difference. The motor tops out at 5,800 rpm. I don't think it ever gets much above 17 mph no matter whe the load or configuration.

Victor