Dragging out of the hole

[BuggsIslandlake]

My 1989 Glasstron 22' has a 260 magnum mercruiser with 21 pitch stainless prop. When i try to pull my son on slalom it just will not get him up. He holds on for the longest time but the boat just will not get him up. I have a 19 pitch alum. that I am going to try. Will the 19 get you out the hole quicker. Also, what is the small pitch I can run on that engine to get it going quicker without harming my engine. Once it gets on top of the water it'll run upwards of about 50. It is a heavy boat. Does anyone have any good ideas. Thanks.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Dragging out of the hole

The 19 inch will get him up quicker. As far as harming your engine, that is up to you on how you control the RPMs. Just don't let the RPMS get too high. Just think of the 19 inch prop as a lower gear in your car...it will let you accelerate faster but also raise your max RPMs.<br /><br />Out of curiosity, what is you WOT max RPMs with your 21" prop?<br /><br />I found that when I started to get heavier as I got older, I had to change my skiing technique a little with an underpowered boat. The more you lean back, the more drag you are putting on the boat. Have him try to flatten out his ski a bit by not leaning so far back if he can help it.<br /><br />Or...have him lose some weight!!

 

[Bondo]

Re: Dragging out of the hole

Ayuh,......<br /><br />The Whole Thing is about the WOT RPMs......<br /><br />Your "Regular" everyday Prop should be sized to allow your motor to reach 4600/4800 rpms, WOT..........<br /><br />If you want to drop down in pitch for more Power out of the hole,.......<br />Then you have to relie on Your Right Hand to regulate the WOT rpms,........<br />Keep it Under 5000rpms,+ You'll be Fine...........<br /><br />The Lower the Pitch you run,...... The Quicker 5 Grand gets there......<br />Regardless of How Many Kids are back there.........

 

[BuggsIslandlake]

Re: Dragging out of the hole

Thanks you guys. I was also wondering about diameter. How does that affect performance? I do not know what the diameter is on the 19 that I put on last week. I really don't know how to tell. I assume that the larger diameter acts the way that higher pitch would. Is this correct?

 

[Bondo]

Re: Dragging out of the hole

In these applications,..... Diameter Isn't an Issue..........And Usually Not really an Option......<br /><br />Some Engineer Somewhere designed the prop to load the engine to a given point, with the Blade design he was working with,+ That's What you Need..........

 

[Doug Durako]

Re: Dragging out of the hole

Stan--are you new to boating, and is this boat new to you? I don't want to insult you, but make sure your trim is all the way in when pulling a skiier.<br /><br />Try the 19 pitch. If you like it, a good prop shop and change your stainless prop to 19 or 20 or anywhere in between for about $150. Each inch of pitch REDUCTION increases your WOT end by about 200 rpm and also makes a real difference getting the boat out of the hole.<br /><br />The stainless prop will perform better all around if you can get the pitch dialed in just right.

 

[rob935]

Re: Dragging out of the hole

i had the same problem but switched from a 3 blade prop to a 4 blade with the same pitch ..popped right up outta the hole with a mono ski...