2003 50hp Yamaha on a 1974 16ft Starcraft SS pitch recomendation

[anderso8623]

Hello all, My question is in regards to what pitch i should have and what speed should I expect from this motor. Here are my stats:

-Rev limit hit of 5500 rpm

-Speed topped out at 29 mph

-Current Pitch ~12?... I am not 100% for sure because I did not see the typical stamp. What I did see was on the hub area, one "spindle had the letter G on it,
the next had a 12 and the next had a 3.

-One person onboard, myself at 220lbs

- Three gallons of gas

- One battery

I am not too concerned about out of the hole although it is pretty goo right now. I was more wondering if I had a little more juice at the top end. I am not a speed demon but I do not want to have four people in the boat and only hit 20 MPH.

Thanks,

Jason

 

[Andrewnova21]

Your speed seems about right, I have a 1972 15' Starcraft Nova with 1997 50hp evinrude and I can't get past 28, maybe with a little tuning I could hit 30

 

[NYBo]

Without knowing the actual pitch of your current prop, it's not possible to offer specific advice, but if you are easily hitting the rev limit, you should be able to go up in pitch.

 

[ahicks]

You say 5500 "rev limit". Is this what you are turning now? How does that number compare to the number the engine manf. suggests as maximum?

Quite often the prop will need to be removed to get size or part numbers in the area of the prop nut.

 

[flyingscott]

5500 is the max rpm for your motor. My dad had the same set-up a 1978 ss160 with a 1993 yamaha 3 cylinder with a 12" pitch prop. That boat never did more than 28-29 mph lightly loaded. A heavy load dropped it down to high teens low 20s, if you want more power you will need a bigger motor. His boat originally came with a 1979 evinrude 70 hp that did not do more than 30 MPH lightly loaded but with a full load it still hit 28. When I got it I took his motor off and put an 1986 evinrude 70 hp on it and speed jumped to 38 mph and a significant power increase.