Better hole shot for a jon boat.

[Jimwhall]

I've got a 16ft Bass Tracker Pro 16. Console, 25hp Mercury. I'd like to improve hole shot and top speed a bit. The hull is ridiculously light. I've read it's like 300lbs but I've never weighed it.

Is it worth going to an SS? I've read that on lower HP motors it doesn't make much of a difference because they don't have the power to flex aluminum. Also, I'm not sure how much difference it makes that its a Jon and not a deep V.

Current top speed is about 19mph.

2) Current prop manufacturer, model, aluminum or stainless as a minimum.
*Not sure, but it's an aluminum.

3) Current prop diameter and pitch (required).
*10.5x13

4) Wide open throttle RPM and speed with an average load (very helpful)
* not sure, no tach. Average load is two adults about 200lbs plus fishing gear and 6 gallons of fuel.

5) Engine/drive make, model, year, and HP
Mercury outboard, Tracker, 1994, 25hp.

 

[TMW123]

You kind of need to know your current wot RPM before making any changes. Maybe get a tiny tach or equivalent. This will allow you to get rpm data without having to install anything. Just make sure you configure it correctly.

Without this information, you could be over revving your engine or severely lugging it. Both are dangerous to your outboard.

 

[Scott Danforth]

680# for the dry hull

need to know total weight (hull, motor, gear, beer, you, fish, sammiches)
need to get a tach to see where you are RPM wise (no way around that)

second the tiny tach

 

[Jimwhall]

What is a tiny tach?

 

[TMW123]

What is a tiny tach?

Search it on Amazon, they can be purchased for as little as 11 dollars. Basically, it a little digital tach that has a cable you wrap around your spark plug wire and it reads rpm.

 

[airshot]

680# for the dry hull

need to know total weight (hull, motor, gear, beer, you, fish, sammiches)
need to get a tach to see where you are RPM wise (no way around that)

second the tiny tach

Big difference in weight ! Unfortunately many boat owners underestimate their boats weight. The 19 mph sounds pretty good with two adults and gear.

 

[Scott Danforth]

What is a tiny tach?

basically the same tachometer that is on your riding lawn mower. uses a single wire wrapped round one of the spark plug holes.

Design Technology, Inc. and Tiny-Tach | Design Technology, Inc., Home of Tiny-Tach

Genuine new stock TINY-TACH™, direct from the U.S. manufacturer, at prices lower than many resellers. Ultrasonic Cleaners. Tachs. Timing tools.

tinytach.com

as stated, the knock-offs on amazon are as cheap as $11

 

[Jimwhall]

I think I'll go the Tiny Tach route just because it's good to know. But it does sound like I might be good where I'm at. It's had this prop for 30 years or so, so I can't imagine it's damaging the engine as is. I believe it's the OEM prop.

Is there any truth to the idea that SS is wasted on smaller motors because they can't torque aluminum hard enough to make it bend?

 

[airshot]

I think I'll go the Tiny Tach route just because it's good to know. But it does sound like I might be good where I'm at. It's had this prop for 30 years or so, so I can't imagine it's damaging the engine as is. I believe it's the OEM prop.

Is there any truth to the idea that SS is wasted on smaller motors because they can't torque aluminum hard enough to make it bend?

SS props are designed for performance engine and boats because the blades are thinner, they cut thru the water better and can be tricked out for performance easier. Flexing aluminum prop blades is like measuring how much a steel rod bends when a fly lands on it !

 

[Jimwhall]

SS props are designed for performance engine and boats because the blades are thinner, they cut thru the water better and can be tricked out for performance easier. Flexing aluminum prop blades is like measuring how much a steel rod bends when a fly lands on it !

So all things being equal I might see some improvement, assuming the RPM's fall into the correct range.

 

[Scott Danforth]

So all things being equal I might see some improvement, assuming the RPM's fall into the correct range.

a very slim chance you will see an improvement. a vented prop would be where I would go first, get the motor RPM's up on the holeshot

 

[Jimwhall]

a very slim chance you will see an improvement. a vented prop would be where I would go first, get the motor RPM's up on the holeshot

I appreciate the reality check. I suppose I'm enamored by the idea of the performance improvements that the SS gave to my Four Winns.

 

[airshot]

I appreciate the reality check. I suppose I'm enamored by the idea of the performance improvements that the SS gave to my Four Winns.

Is possibly gaining mabey 1 mph....worth the hundreds of dollars spent for a SS prop ? Lots of other tweaks could get that extra mph at little to no cost !
If your really looking for performance upgrade....put your money together and get a bigger motor. Your 4 Wynns had a lot more hp to work with..

 

[Texasmark]

a very slim chance you will see an improvement. a vented prop would be where I would go first, get the motor RPM's up on the holeshot

Turning Point brand Hustler are high performance aluminum props and some are ported. The port decreases the density of the water flowing over the blades on the hole shot allowing the engine to rev up faster hence get on plane faster......like lowering the prop's pitch just for the hole shot. Once up and running, at some point the water flowing across the LU will have enough pressure to seal off the ports and then you are running on your props pitch.....aka the prop digs in (you can feel it) and engine's RPMs drop a little but usually increase back up as the boat picks up speed.
They can be purchased on here. Priced in today's market probably between $100 and $150. I have 4 or 5.
Check before you buy as I don't know if any 10" props are ported...my engines run 13" with 100ish HP.
John boats are easily planed due to the flat surface of the hull providing the best lift.....deepV's are the hardest.

 

[Jimwhall]

Turning Point brand Hustler are high performance aluminum props and some are ported. The port decreases the density of the water flowing over the blades on the hole shot allowing the engine to rev up faster hence get on plane faster......like lowering the prop's pitch just for the hole shot. Once up and running, at some point the water flowing across the LU will have enough pressure to seal off the ports and then you are running on your props pitch.....aka the prop digs in (you can feel it) and engine's RPMs drop a little but usually increase back up as the boat picks up speed.
They can be purchased on here. Priced in today's market probably between $100 and $150. I have 4 or 5.
Check before you buy as I don't know if any 10" props are ported...my engines run 13" with 100ish HP.
John boats are easily planed due to the flat surface of the hull providing the best lift.....deepV's are the hardest.

I've had great luck with TurningPoint props.