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Reusing rudders with larger prop

BitSimple1958

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Joined
Aug 8, 2025
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I am almost done with a rebuild on my 98 Diamondback airboat. It had a small block but we upgraded it with a gearbox and a larger propeller. Now the rudders don't line up with the prop, so I'm thinking of making a mount to reuse them. However, I just would like to know if using the same rudders with a bigger prop mess with how the boat rides or cause it to bounce? Thanks
 
Having existing rudders that are paired with an oversized prop can lead to handling problems and a bit of bouncing. It might be a good idea to either enlarge the rudders proportionally or reposition them to ensure proper airflow alignment with the new prop diameter.
 
I am almost done with a rebuild on my 98 Diamondback airboat. It had a small block but we upgraded it with a gearbox and a larger propeller. Now the rudders don't line up with the prop, so I'm thinking of making a mount to reuse them. However, I just would like to know if using the same rudders with a bigger prop mess with how the boat rides or cause it to bounce? Thanks
I don't think the rudders are the ones that cause the boat to bounce. That's usually a sign of a bad prop balance or a problem with your gearbox and motor mounts.
With the new gearbox, you're putting a lot more torque and force on the motor stand. You should double check that everything is perfectly aligned and torqued down.
A propeller that's even slightly out of balance can cause serious vibrations and a 'bouncy' feel at high RPMs. Get that prop checked professionally if you haven't already
 
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