how do i choose a prop for my 1971 18ft Tom Sawyer

[firepro86]

Alright, so i have a 1971 Tom Sawyer run about. I use it mainly for fishing and cruising but I want to be able to pull a towable with it. It has a 165hp mercruiser with a mercruiser 1 sterndive. The boat is rated for 6 people. I dont know how much the boat weighs. Any suggestions?

 

[steelespike]

Re: how do i choose a prop for my 1971 18ft Tom Sawyer

Does it have a prop now? If so make some test runs and get us the info suggested in the stickys at the top of the page.

 

[Texasmark]

Are you the same guy that wanted to go 20 mi. out in the ocean to Santa Catalina Island with an 18' Tom Sawyer with a 165 I/O?

 

[firepro86]

Re: how do i choose a prop for my 1971 18ft Tom Sawyer

Yes, I've decided to wait until next summer. The channel crossing is a little to tricky to roll the dice with in the fall. To much weather uncertainty.

 

[Texasmark]

Re: how do i choose a prop for my 1971 18ft Tom Sawyer

Yes, I've decided to wait until next summer. The channel crossing is a little to tricky to roll the dice with in the fall. To much weather uncertainty.

Sounds like a stellar idea and that will give you time to get more familiar with your equipment and the weather/sea patterns in the area.

Mark

 

[firepro86]

Re: how do i choose a prop for my 1971 18ft Tom Sawyer

Yeah, my wife wants to wait until next summer just so we know we are going to run into any weather related issues, and she's the boss so my hands are tied. I do however have the prop information for the prop thats on there.

4X13.6X20- I'm hoping to get some faster off the line speed and planing. The boat does an easy 30-35mph depending on conditions, and it handles superbly in medium chop. The boat has a 165hp mercruiser 1 sterndrive, the boat weighs about 3,000lb.

 

[Mi duckdown]

Re: how do i choose a prop for my 1971 18ft Tom Sawyer

You can run into weather every day of the year.??

 

[firepro86]

Re: how do i choose a prop for my 1971 18ft Tom Sawyer

True. To avoid the cutoff lows that cause the high winds, large chop, and small craft advisories its best to go during the summer. It's easier to predict incoming weather fronts, plus its more enjoyable weather to cross the channel in. You don't have to worry as much about fog during the summer as much either.

 

[Bondo]

Re: how do i choose a prop for my 1971 18ft Tom Sawyer

4X13.6X20- I'm hoping to get some faster off the line speed and planing. The boat does an easy 30-35mph depending on conditions, and it handles superbly in medium chop. The boat has a 165hp mercruiser 1 sterndrive, the boat weighs about 3,000lb.

Ayuh,... Ya need whatever pitch, that gives ya 'bout 4200 rpms at Wot...

 

[firepro86]

Re: how do i choose a prop for my 1971 18ft Tom Sawyer

I know this is going to sound dumb, why's WOT?

 

[Bondo]

Re: how do i choose a prop for my 1971 18ft Tom Sawyer

I know this is going to sound dumb, why's WOT?

Ayuh,.... Wide Open Throttle...

 

[firepro86]

Re: how do i choose a prop for my 1971 18ft Tom Sawyer

The prop I have on there now gives me 4500rpms at WOT. So what I have now is probably going to be as good as it gets. It has a 3 blade aluminum prop on there now, would a 4 or 5 blade make any difference?