Propping a 38 libby

[Spear-it]

Hello I am in the process of rebuilding a 38 libby. I am dropping power in next week and need to prop the boat. Motor is a cummins 8.3 6cta with a TD 507 2:1 gear. I need to order the prop and i am considering a 4 blade 26 x 26 prop with mod cup. Any advice on prop size would be greatly appreciated before I place the order.
I am keeping the hull light but I carry 8 passengers and gear daily. House is honey comb and all other build out is Cosa board.
Thanks Dave

 

[PollyWanna]

Looks awesome. Wish I could help on the prop but there are better resources on that subject around here than I. I’d love to see/hear more about your project though. What did you add/change, why, gelcoat or paint, etc. We love boat build stuff around here. I’m sure someone will give you some thoughts on propping.

 

[Codcruncher]

The west coast house looks perfect on that hull

 

[starrfish]

one of the best calls you could make is to mark at nautilus propeller. any prop shop will need the most accurate #`s you can give them as to. hull, shaft size, engine hp, exact gear ratio, boat weight etc..
good luck with your project.

 

[Luckychahm]

Looks great. What do you use the boat for? Curious about the wells in the rails. Is that a big rope locker by the hauling station?

 

[Spear-it]

Looks awesome. Wish I could help on the prop but there are better resources on that subject around here than I. I’d love to see/hear more about your project though. What did you add/change, why, gelcoat or paint, etc. We love boat build stuff around here. I’m sure someone will give you some thoughts on propping.

Thank you! She's getting there . I tend to use gelcoat mostly to make repairs easier down the road . The gel on it i sprayed 4 coats of non waxed and the last coat with wax. Cheap purple spray gun from harbor freight bored out to 1.8mm

 

[Spear-it]

one of the best calls you could make is to mark at nautilus propeller. any prop shop will need the most accurate #`s you can give them as to. hull, shaft size, engine hp, exact gear ratio, boat weight etc..
good luck with your project.

Agreed , problem is I'm not sure of weight when I'm loaded .although I can approximate it . I'm also hoping to get some first hand experience from people who have owned or worked with the libby 38.

 

[Spear-it]

Looks great. What do you use the boat for? Curious about the wells in the rails. Is that a big rope locker by the hauling station?

It's a retired lobster boat and the boxes on the sides are old school lobster tanks . Was going to cut them out but decided to use them for live wells and storage wells . They are plumbed so you can feed water to each tank individually.
The well on the side is a rope locker . Likely holds 1000 feet of. 5/8. I decided to keep it for the anchor. I can always cut it out next year if I don't like it .

 

[Spear-it]

It's a retired lobster boat and the boxes on the sides are old school lobster tanks . Was going to cut them out but decided to use them for live wells and storage wells . They are plumbed so you can feed water to each tank individually.
The well on the side is a rope locker . Likely holds 1000 feet of. 5/8. I decided to keep it for the anchor. I can always cut it out next year if I don't like it .

It will be used for rod and reel as well as spearfishing charter .

 

[Spear-it]

The west coast house looks perfect on that hull

Agreed ! Totally has grown on me .

 

[GansettCharlie]

Looking good Dave!

 

[Spear-it]

Looking good Dave!

Thank you Charlie

 

[Tunatown]

The house is perfect

 

[Blitzen]

It's a retired lobster boat and the boxes on the sides are old school lobster tanks . Was going to cut them out but decided to use them for live wells and storage wells . They are plumbed so you can feed water to each tank individually.
The well on the side is a rope locker . Likely holds 1000 feet of. 5/8. I decided to keep it for the anchor. I can always cut it out next year if I don't like it .

Was this Norbert's old boat?

 

[Joshbel02]

IMO the 38’ Libby sails quite well and worth the time. Looks great…as far as the prop…call nautilus or HH or anyone close…I like to support local. They will have other 38’ Libby’s to reference.

 

[Spear-it]

Was this Norbert's old boat?

Yes

 

[Spear-it]

The house is perfect

Agreed, Thank you

 

[Blitzen]

Yes

Glad it went to a good home, he would be happy.

 

[Spear-it]

Glad it went to a good home, he would be happy.

Thank you , that's good to hear !

 

[Roger H]

I have a 26 square prop on my Duffy 35. I am running a 6cta 430 hp with 2 to 1 gear as well. She weighs in around 19000 #.
My high RPM is a 2630 . About perfect.
Maybe you can use this info as a benchmark.
Great job on the boat!