Help me with prop choice please...

NMShooter

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Mar 17, 2010
Messages
196
I just had my boat in the shop and had the carbs cleaned. My bargain boat that I bought is slowing turning out to be not such a bargain!:redface:

The shop owner suggested a prop with less pitch, so I am shopping ebay... I have a 85hp 1988 Force with a 19 pitch. I boat at 5000 ft elevation. I'm going to switch to a 17 pitch (the shop owner even suggested a 15).

How do I go about determining the "type" of prop? Other than the diameter of the prop, and the pitch, how do I get the right type? Look for a Mercury prop? Count the ridges on the inside of the prop on the boat?

Unfortunately I don't have a tach installed. That's coming. But I figure I can get a cheap prop and resell it if I need to move to a 15" prop instead...

Thanks for any help.

-f-
 

jerryjerry05

Supreme Mariner
Joined
May 7, 2008
Messages
18,188
Re: Help me with prop choice please...

Don't buy anything untill you have a tach.What's on the boat now is probably very close to what you need.
Counting splines will only give you a headache.
You can spend as much as $500 for a prop.Anyone selling should know what they have and a propshop for sure.
But without a tach you will be whizzin away your $$$$$$$$$$$$$$ J
 

notsunkyet

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Jun 8, 2009
Messages
198
Re: Help me with prop choice please...

I too need insight with this... on my prop it is stmaped 13 x 19
 

NMShooter

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Mar 17, 2010
Messages
196
Re: Help me with prop choice please...

I'm looking at $50 aluminum props on ebay....

The prop that is on it is pitched too high. I have very poor acceleration on the mountain lakes. Growing up as a kid, my buddy's 65hp on a trihull fiberglass boat accelerated a lot better than this!
 

DigtlFingers

Cadet
Joined
May 6, 2010
Messages
15
Re: Help me with prop choice please...

iboats.com has a pretty good guide for buying the right prop for your motor. check it in the prop section of the home page. I hope this helps.
 
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