Ive used a dozen or so props over the years of different types looking for the best performing prop for my boat. Ive got a 17 foot 1981 Checkmate Enticer with a Johnson 140 crossflow V4. Its freshly rebuilt and is in top form. Best speed Ive had it going was 60 mph GPS with the motor all the way up on the transom with a SST 23 pitch but it was blowing out of the water something fierce and didnt handle waves well. In any case top speed is not that important to me . I'd rather have a good solid bottom end and top speed in the 50 MPH range. Recently I picked up a 17 pitch Solas 4 blade 13 spline stainless prop. It has outperformed my expectations in more ways than I can mention. Top speed Ive had it at was 52 MPH at 6000 RPM which is way beyond what the prop charts say is even possible. Bottom end is fantastic as well. Fast on plane .That 52 MPH was with the motor mounted to the transom one hole from the bottom. Ive tried to get it to blow out of the water and it won't even on very sharp turns.
