New to Forum / New Boat / Selecting the correct prop

[QBhoy]

I’d also maybe suggest that cruising at 40 mph might not be considered cruising. You’ll drink the fuel and the engine will be getting a constant hammering, I’d think. More than that...any sort of chop...and it just ain’t nice.

 

[Pedro19]

I'm in a very similar position and I went with a 4 blade aluminum. I already have gps speed, so I also ordered equipment to know my actual rpm. That should give me a solid baseline to start with. Aluminum Quicksilver props are so inexpensive I can try 4 different props for the price of a stainless, and also have a much better idea what would work best if I were to upgrade.

I'm pretty sure I'll end up with a 17" 4 blade and a 19" 3 blade, but I'm not going to gamble $1k+ on stainless without some testing first.

This makes sense. My problem is that my original prop is damaged and I am new to the boat so I really do not have much to go by. I think I will just buy an original for $150 and then I will at least have something to go by. I will test that out and go from there. Thanks for the input. Let me know how your testing goes. I am interested to see how yours performs w/the 4 blade.

 

[Pedro19]

I’d also maybe suggest that cruising at 40 mph might not be considered cruising. You’ll drink the fuel and the engine will be getting a constant hammering, I’d think. More than that...any sort of chop...and it just ain’t nice.

I’d also maybe suggest that cruising at 40 mph might not be considered cruising. You’ll drink the fuel and the engine will be getting a constant hammering, I’d think. More than that...any sort of chop...and it just ain’t nice.

I probably need to focus on 35 mph for cruising then. I just hate to buy the wrong prop. If my original prop was not so bent and damaged, I could get a good feel for how she performs.

 

[Pedro19]

You’ll lose top end with most 4 blades, pitch for pitch. In general at least. Exceptions would be rev4 and bravo props perhaps. They will put rum most 3 blade modest props. And come close to the decent 3 blade props usually. Like all props though. Can be a hit or a miss. Always best to try them on the boat. Props never stop surprising me.

So would you recommend me going to a place that will let me try out all of the props 1st then? That is what I need to do, but I live an hour away from the closest prop shop.

 

[QBhoy]

So would you recommend me going to a place that will let me try out all of the props 1st then? That is what I need to do, but I live an hour away from the closest prop shop.

I’d go out and get some numbers written down with what you have now. Gps and as close as you can rpm too. See what’s happening. Decide what you want most too. Then go get a shot of a prop or two from a good dealer. Abs stay away from the edges when you test them. Haha.