Average Top Speed for 2003 SANTE?

[core-rider]

The 1578 is the best prop you will get for that boat at altitude and with weight... The 536 is the stock prop an dI bet if you look a bit closer it says 13.5 x 17 R.

[Rockymtnsurfer]

Thanks for your help and info Jason. This is the prop he gave me...not sure whats going on, but I am sure you can explain the stamp. Thanks again D

[Rockymtnsurfer]

BTW.....stupid question.....how do you get them off? looks like some sort of pin in the slot? Reason I ask....I noticed this line in the plastic sleeve the other day. Not from me I don't think....but non the less its there and I thought I should take it out.

[Rockymtnsurfer]

Sleeve, Caught line, Rod and prop all seem to rotate together inside the metal housing. Is that correct? Or should black plastic sleeve not spin?

[functionoverfashion]

Sleeve, Caught line, Rod and prop all seem to rotate together inside the metal housing. Is that correct? Or should black plastic sleeve not spin?

Errr, ok. The insides - the bearing - of the strut (the large arm supporting the driveshaft) should not spin with the driveshaft. I would think that would make horrible noises and/or basically self-destruct after a few hours, though, if it were spinning in the strut? I am guessing and hoping you just have some stuff wrapped around there - the yellow line, for sure, as you said - and that the strut bearing isn't spinning. If that strut bearing IS spinning, you will need almost certainly need a new one.

[functionoverfashion]

BTW.....stupid question.....how do you get them off?

Also to get the prop off, you really need a prop puller; maybe you can borrow one? They're about $100. Look up the procedure (google or something) it's not hard but there are a few things to know about proper removal and installation that have been well documented elsewhere.

Edit: and rather than making a third post, I'll add this about your other prop. It started out as an Acme 536 as you can see the number stamped into it, as well as the original 13.5 x 16 (diameter x pitch) but then it's got a 14 stamped OVER that, which means... a shop modified it to lessen the pitch? I'm a little surprised a shop was able to do that, and I wonder how accurate it is. Anyway, that's what I see on your spare.

[Rockymtnsurfer]

Errr, ok. The insides - the bearing - of the strut (the large arm supporting the driveshaft) should not spin with the driveshaft. I would think that would make horrible noises and/or basically self-destruct after a few hours, though, if it were spinning in the strut? I am guessing and hoping you just have some stuff wrapped around there - the yellow line, for sure, as you said - and that the strut bearing isn't spinning. If that strut bearing IS spinning, you will need almost certainly need a new one.

I hope the Errr is more hoping it wasn't trashed and not another knot head asking a silly question. I can except both though.....I am learning quick. So I looked at images on google of what the strut is......it is still intacked and solid....I could see and understand your comments better now if it was broken.

I have also been looking for images that might show this black sleeve thing, But my guess now that you have explained maybe?is this a sleeve and there are bearings on the backside so it can spin in the strut better? Please pardon my ignorance...seriously trying and you all have been more effective than any mechanic within 100 miles...no offense mechanics if I haven't met you yet!

D

[Rockymtnsurfer]

Also to get the prop off, you really need a prop puller; maybe you can borrow one? They're about $100. Look up the procedure (google or something) it's not hard but there are a few things to know about proper removal and installation that have been well documented elsewhere.

Edit: and rather than making a third post, I'll add this about your other prop. It started out as an Acme 536 as you can see the number stamped into it, as well as the original 13.5 x 16 (diameter x pitch) but then it's got a 14 stamped OVER that, which means... a shop modified it to lessen the pitch? I'm a little surprised a shop was able to do that, and I wonder how accurate it is. Anyway, that's what I see on your spare.

Interesting! The boat originated from NC.......then made its way to Denver (6000ft)......then to the mountains 7000-9000. Maybe tweaked and then swapped out. Thanks FOF
D

[core-rider]

I have never seen a prop with the pitch changed... I've seen them add or take away some cup to the trailing edge, but to remove 2" of pitch from a prop is saying a lot! IF it has been changed to a 13.5 x 14 then you effectively have the same prop that's installed on the boat currently.

Quick prop info... The 13.5 is the diameter of the prop in inches... The 14 is the pitch of the prop, meaning that for every 360 degree rotation of the prop the boat should effectively move forward 14"... Moving from a 16 to 14 pitch means that given the same RPM the 16 pitch prop will move the boat futher than the 14 pitch. Essentially this means the 14 pitch is meant for more low-end power (torque) while the 16 pitch is better at top-end (speed). Higher altitudes mean less engine horsepower because less oxygen, so moving the a lower pitch prop will basically give the loss of power back in the form of propulsion, but you loose some top-end speed. Not many of us are concerned about top-end speed towing wakeboarders.

[Rockymtnsurfer]

Thank you for the very good information.....sounds like the prop I have on now is the way to go.

[Rockymtnsurfer]

I can't think of any plastic that should be in the plug wire connectors... Plastic isn't a good conductor at all of electricity so you may want to have a closer look at those wires. Your intermittent issues cause confusion on my part... Check the wires and maybe even pull each plug to make sure there is a proper burn color on the porcelain... That may also help determine if you have a cylinder not acting right and narrow down your search.

This is what I was talking about...and this is the one that feels like its not grabbing

[core-rider]

Looks like a standard plug wire to me. It might be not connecting quite right though.


Sent from my iPhone using PLT Nautique

[Rockymtnsurfer]

ok......let me ask this......while running the engine, would it be obvious if a plug wasn't firing

[functionoverfashion]

A couple things. The "err" was definitely a "I hope it's not broken" not "this is a dumb question." It's all good, this is why this forum is valuable, you can learn a lot no matter how much you know already.

I've never heard of a prop pitch being changed by 2" either, but that stamping looks like it was done at a shop, so I'm a little confused. The prop you have on the boat seems fine, so moving on.

The strut bearing doesn't spin in the strut. Water is able to get in the grooves and act as a lubricant, and the material of the bearing is softer than the shaft (of course) so that it will wear (slowly). This is a pretty simple solution to supporting the driveshaft inside the strut, and is not prone to failure. It's also why you shouldn't run the boat in gear on dry land, because the shaft will be spinning in the bearing with no lubrication/cooling.

On the plug wire: It's hard to tell in that picture, but here's a thought - spark plugs (usually?) have a little threaded cap on the end where the wire connects. You would ordinarily leave that on, of course. But I'm wondering if one of those came off a different spark plug (the old one) somehow, and it's now stuck in the connector. I can see the outer edge of the connector, then it kind of looks like something else in the middle. That may not cause NO spark, but it could cause a weak connection, and occasional misfiring or poor running like you're describing.

If it's not firing at all, but everything else is working perfectly, the boat would run OK, get up on plane, but would be weak and certainly wouldn't make its normal top speed. If you pull the spark plugs I bet that one looks different. You don't even have to pull them all, start with that one and the one next to it to compare.

[Rockymtnsurfer]

FOF.......thanks a ton. Err : cool Prop: cool Wire; definitely going to further investigate Strut: I just want to make sure i am on the same page....I can video if need be. So...is it ok that the black sleeve, rod and prop all spin together?