Plugs on Quicksliver Laser II prop

archie720 · 25 October 2005, 13:52

I am currently running a s/s Laser II Quicksilver prop with hollow plugs which are supposed to help with the pick-up as exhaust air is channelled along the blade reducing the water density and thus helping acceleration. I am currently not struggling with pick up for wakeboarding etc so was thinking of swapping to the solid plugs as the theory is that this will increase the top end speed!

Does anyone have any experience of these plugs actually making a difference (i.e. speed measured with a gps) or are they just a marketing gimmick?

Kernow Buoy · 25 October 2005, 15:09

Hi Archie,
welcome to Ribnet

Had some of these on my Michigan wheel stainless and sad to say noticed no difference whatsoever when installed, have read elsewhere that they do work so perhaps a bit dependant on boat/engine setup.
Regards
Kernow

Turbodiesel · 25 October 2005, 20:45

We test many boats with many different props. Ive always found they work quite well. Usually if your getting cavitation on pick up you can help a bit by putting the plugs in. If you want to get the engine to rev up a bit quicker buy some of the plugs with larger size holes. They come in a few different sizes, they should help your engine rev up quicker. What boat/engine combination are you running?, And you must make sure its all set up ok, You might find a four or even five bladed prop the answer of course!!

Turbodiesel · 25 October 2005, 20:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by Turbodiesel

We test many boats with many different props. Ive always found they work quite well. Usually if your getting cavitation on pick up you can help a bit by putting the plugs in. If you want to get the engine to rev up a bit quicker buy some of the plugs with larger size holes. They come in a few different sizes, they should help your engine rev up quicker. What boat/engine combination are you running?, And you must make sure its all set up ok, You might find a four or even five bladed prop the answer of course!!

Just read your post again!!, 115 Opti on a 6.3m rib. Thats not a particularly big engine for a boat that size. So the plugs might help just to get the engine revs up quicker. I doubt very much if change your max speed though.

Mollers · 25 October 2005, 21:39

I'd leave them out. Once planing the vents make no difference at all, but may help with the pull out. I had them on a 5.7ltr mercruiser turning a 21"P prop. I plugged them as the Merc was so grunty they were unecessary. It made zero difference to top end.

archie720 · 26 October 2005, 13:11

Might try plugging them anyway as we do suffer from cavitation/ventilation if power is appplied too quickly, particularly when exiting from a turn (even with engine trimmed fully down). Thanks for the advice.

Searider · 26 October 2005, 13:36

Made no difference to my top speed when I put the blanking plugs in.

None of that "wheelspin" feeling when accellerating now.

Mollers · 26 October 2005, 15:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by archie720

Might try plugging them anyway as we do suffer from cavitation/ventilation if power is appplied too quickly, particularly when exiting from a turn (even with engine trimmed fully down). Thanks for the advice.

I get the same with my non-vented prop. Giving it handfuls of throttle causes mine to vent badly when accelerating out of a slow turn. Easing the revs in a bit cures it.