Hi Sirs I have like a more technical question still its in regards to sportfishing boats . Have been a charter captain for half of my live and fished on several boats, recently fished on this 50 footer in a tournament and I was a bit blown away with the amount of propwash or whitewater from the props, I mean It would go past the outriggers and this is trolling at almost idle, so this started me asking questions on what could be the cause for this ? number of blades on propellers ? high gear ratio ? or just a bad hull design ? what You guys thinks is the most important factor for a clean wake ? Appreciate your comments .
Can you give us an idea on what mfg & brand of the boat in question. I'm figuring you were on a deep tunnel or pocket'd inboard boat. Later models with monster engines have these wild prop designs also, Rake, High blade count, lots of Pitch. These help in shallow water, lower shaft angle and does deliver some interesting thrust or wash patterns concentrated off of the lull.. There are extra sciences (SWAGS) involved in these hull designs but I think this is a start to answer your question. Or, did I miss read something an not come close?? Now for the fishing; helps or hurts?? I would think it hurts at first thought, but a fish looking up would see lines of chop. Sounds from the boat would be a larger issue to me.
Bertram 50 sport fisherman 1.5-1 gears 3 blades don't know size. for me as a captain I think the the excessive propwash does not help. fished on other large sportfish where there was not so much white water.
<---- Bertram 58 Older Berts, No tunnels. Later Berts (FEBs), I just don't know. Were his tabs still down? Fowled bottom? Usually a clean hull, minim white water after the stern on the older (Real) Bertram hulls, after a deep V to the transom. Another issue when I used to drag baits on smaller boats, Trolling into a breeze? lil chop causing foaming all under & around the hull?
Then I do not have a good answer for you. What year hull? Hopefully after the weekend (2 more hours?), more of the YF kids will chime in. Oh, catch any fish? familiar productive area?
When shopping for a sportfish clean prop wash is high on the list. If you can't see the bait neither can the fish. Watching the billfish approach the bait and how you react to it is the single most import thing to good catch ratios and really exciting.
What speed does that mean exactly? If you don't mind me stating the bleeding obvious, the short answer to your question is speed. And the slower the speed, the more even the tiniest difference can make. I mean, I've seen 50 footers where the wash is somewhat relevant at 6 knots, but goes down to almost nothing at 5.5...
idle is about 6 knots I can't go any slower, no trolling valves, we did manage to catch a sailfish . myself I think the boat is over propped won't hit its rated rpm, I think these boats should have 4 or even 5 blades, to minimize cavitation, just thinking out loud
If with a clean hull the boat doesn't reach the rated rpm, overpropped she is for good. Doesn't necessarily mean that 3 blades props per se are bad, though. My first attempt would be to get in touch with a good prop shop, giving them all the relevant numbers and checking if they can shorten the pitch as much as required.
