1988 Shoalwater 176 Rebuild

[redfishjim]

Very cool, Tom. I have a couple leads on props, one being Baumann here in houston, other being Powertech. Baumann thinks their 3 blade blaster series in 16p(double cupped) is the starting point. Powertech thinks their SWW4 prop in 14p is the answer. I'm really curious what you come up with, thanks.

Boat:1100lbs, 25 gallons fuel: 150lbs, 2 anglers: 500 lbs, jackplate: 50lbs, trolling motor: 50lbs, batteries/chargers: 150lbs, coolers/ice: 50lbs, mk talon: 25lbs, +50lbs extra for misc.
= 2,125 lbs total (boat, gear, people, excludes motor)

Motor: 2023 2.1L 115hp ProXS, Standard lower unit (not Command Thrust), weight: 359lbs

Top priority in a prop: hole shot & grip

[TomW1]

Jim here is what my calculations show. For a 3 blade a 13.5 x 16 double cup would work. A 4-blade in 13.5 x 14 would be my recommendation. If your going shallow the 4-blade would be the better choice for you. It will allow you to raise the motor an inch or two higher than the three blade. Your top speed with that Merc 115 worked out to mid 40's. Total boat weight ended up at 2505lbs with motor, prop and fluids. When you are talking to Powertech ask them about their 4-blade RXB prop it has some moderate rake and cup to get up faster. Rake and cup helps hold water on the prop, it is a 13.25 do to rake and cup. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask.

Tom

[redfishjim]

Great stuff, Tom. I've had a RXB4 on a previous boat, Hewes Redfisher 18 with 115 Suzuki. Great all around prop. Thank you very much for working up the numbers.

[redfishjim]

It's creeping to the finish line. Got the rubrail installed over weekend with the help from a buddy. Went with the Taco Suproflex, found a "used-good" deal on Amazon. Easy to install, I'm a fan! Adds a nice level of finish. Console is tabbed in, paint next.

[Fuzz]

I like the looks of what you have done! Clean and simple=very nice.

[redfishjim]

Been a hell of a month with bow season, football, and family events. Haven't knocked the boat out like I wished to but made some progress the last couple of weekends. Hatch hardware finished, center console got sprayed, and I got my feet wet with some seadek installation on the bow. Charlie, one of our twins, is soo excited to get this finished. She's been a great help and kept me going.

This week, hoping to get the main deck painted, and Seadek finsihed.

Then on to rigging!

[Fuzz]

Is that going to be her boat that she lets you drive sometimes

[redfishjim]

Lol, she's got big plans! As long as she wants to go, I'll make it happen!

The boat's come a long way. Painting is finished!

[Fuzz]

If you can see your reflection when taking pictures that is a dang good finish, and I see yours in a couple of those pictures!