Interested in a new set of wheels for 43 Cabo as the current set is 20 years old. Current set is ok but have been reworked and welded on several times, currently port side has 2 small bends on the blades so have to take them off anyway in the fall when we haul out. New designs from Veem or Acme seem appealing 10-12k a set. Anyone have experience with a new set on this boat? I feel like it's worth the investment at this point especially if I get a bit more performance. Current set is Michigan/federal 28x38 2.5inch shaft
Cabo installed Veem/Federal/Michigan and Acme. Even on the same boat size, but depended on the ownership of Cabo at the time. The Veems are far better than the others and typically 1.5 knots faster and more fuel efficient and a lot less vibration and no prop burn.
Yea I've talked several folks with Veems, they are the best. I just need to get the right set, general propeller the US veem dealer has recommended 2 different sets 4 blade and 5 blade. The 5 have less pitch the 4 have more, need make right decision with how much they are.
I have Federal 4 blade 26X32 on 2.5" shafts on my Cabo 40 w/C12 CATs. During my last haul out the props were serviced and they were adjusted with less pitch. At full power with the above set up: 2350 RPM/33.2kts. I have also looked into Veems. They recommended a (5) blade wheel, and a (4) blade wheel option however I have not swapped over yet due to cost.
I'm running ACME 26 x 32 w/ 1.485 : 1.00 Gear Veem (Wildcat )said the gear Ratio wasn't right for 5 Blade I top a little faster at less RPM............I'm not concerned about Top End so much 1850 = 26.5 - 27 Knots in FRESHWATER ! I'm told this is pretty darn good .
I'm at 2370rpm both sides at wot 33kts so definitely under propped a bit. Talking with a few prop shops going get more quotes
You really want to be at 2350 WOT with full fuel/water with MAN's. It's much better to be under propped than over.
Then leave them alone. You cruise on load percentage anyways right? So it will be faster how you're pitched at cruise.
yea run at 75-80% usually under 80% 1900rpm 25kts and 2375 wot, we're going haul this fall probably put a half degree in them to get 2350 wot. Maybe gain a knot on cruise.
You will lose speed since you are running cruise at a percentage of load. You should be at a higher rpm at 75-80% load than 1900. The higher the WOT, the higher the rpm's at 80% load, faster you spin the props the more lift you get, and more rpms you spin the motor the more boost and HP you get, so faster at cruise where you are if you are running the engines at 80% load. Are you using the trim tabs? Trim tabs are good for another 2 knots on your boat at cruise. Also keep the aft tank full by transfering the bow tank as soon as you can. Every time you tweak props you weaken them.
When we owned a 21 year old Eastbay 49 the prop shop told us our props were thin from too many reconditioning trips. We bought a new pair of Veems. New props are like new tires on a race car. The difference was extreme. Best upgrade ever.
What engines do you have and what is the exact gear ratio? I am in the process of putting props on a 43 in Puerto Rico, will report back the results once they install them.
Veems are/were the best performing on all of the Cabo's and usually around 1.5 knots faster at cruise and WOT with less vibration and no issues with prop burn.
