correct prop for 17ft bass boat 125hp

[EverydayAngler]

the boat is a 78 glastron hpv-170 17ft bass boat with 83 force 125hp engine. im only seeing 4900-5000 rpm max wot and ive seen 38mph once on my lowrance gps. this was with 20 gallons fuel and 2 180# guys and about 3' rooster, it seems to me this boat should be faster then it is with this power. i know its a force but it was free, compression is great engine is set 2" below pad cant adjust it so it is what it is. the prop on the boat is a michigan wheel ss 13 3/4X15. I did go through and sync the carbs per the sticky in the force forums, it made it idle better but didnt help the speed. im looking for a prop if possible to get a little more speed out of it. it comes out of the hole really fast. any help would be great.

 

[SparkieBoat]

Re: correct prop for 17ft bass boat 125hp

I have a 88' evinrude 110 HP motor on a 17.5 stratos..it does about 45MPH and turns a 17 P prop almost 6K...what does "engine is set 2" below pad" mean??

 

[EverydayAngler]

Re: correct prop for 17ft bass boat 125hp

the cav plate is 2" below the rear pad of the transom

 

[SparkieBoat]

Re: correct prop for 17ft bass boat 125hp

I am not sure what the "rear pad" is. but usually the cav plate is set about 1" above the bottom of the hull. a picture would be very helpful..where I can see how the motor is mounted and in relation to the bottom of the hull.

 

[EverydayAngler]

Re: correct prop for 17ft bass boat 125hp

ok i was all mixed up. the cav plate is even with the bottom of the boat. i just went out and checked again.

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: correct prop for 17ft bass boat 125hp

While the 125 is a relatively weak engine compared to even the Force 120, Glastrons are light boats and you should be able to swing a 13 X 17 prop at 5000, giving about 4 MPH more. Check compression. What is "great?" I had a 125 on my 21 foot cuddy and it did 34 with a 17 pitch prop. So, your power is down.

You may also want to experiment with stainless prop if you don't have one on already--they do run faster. Additionally, if money is not an issue, replace the stock lower unit (1.76 to 1) with a 2 to 1 ratio off a 90 HP Force or some 85 HP. almost all pre Mercury (1995) are swappable as long as drive shaft length is the same. With a 2 to 1 lower unit you may see as much as a 5 MPH increase.

 

[SparkieBoat]

Re: correct prop for 17ft bass boat 125hp

you should also raise your motor up a couple of holes and see what happens. (this is free and easy)