How do you know what prop size and pitch to get??

[danboy]

I just bought a new 18' Malibu Boat to be used for fishing, and skiing. It will have a Honda 130 Hp Four Stroke Engine on it, but not sure<br />what kind of prop to get. Can anyone help me??

 

[Hooty]

Re: How do you know what prop size and pitch to get??

Yo danboy,<br />There are approx. 8.326 gazillion variables to take into consideration when proping a boat. It's pretty much trial and error. Your best bet is find someone with a similar boat and engine like yours and go from there. Wish I could be more help. Just hang around tha board and wait for a rig sorta like yours and see what prop they us.<br /><br />G'luck& c/6<br /><br />hooty

 

[ajp]

Re: How do you know what prop size and pitch to get??

Get a service manual for the engine. That should give you several options on props, variations of diameter vs. pitch. Then determine which pushes your boat the best. <br /><br />The service manual for my engine give the factory choice, then 4 or 5 other variations that will work. <br /><br />Arlan

 

[SeaDawg]

Re: How do you know what prop size and pitch to get??

Danboy, go to Honda's marine web site. They have performance tests for their motors. You should be able to find a similar weight and style boat test with a 130 on it. They list the prop and other specs too.

 

[KRT]

Re: How do you know what prop size and pitch to get??

Increasing the pitch causes a prop to take a bigger "bite" of the water, which means the engine must do more work. That's why the top rpm of the engine decreases at wide-open throttle. If the prop has too much pitch, the engine "lugs" all the time, which can cause internal problems if it continues.<br /><br />Too little pitch can damage an engine faster because it allows the rpm to exceed the "red line." Over-revving an engine can turn it to scrap in only a few minutes. As a rule-of-thumb, changing 1 inch of pitch will cause an increase or decrease of 200 to 300 engine rpm.<br /><br />The correct pitch allows the engine to reach its full rated rpm at wide-open throttle, but no more. If you want to go fast in a light boat, you will want a high-pitch prop. However, you will have to reduce the pitch to get the most out of your engine when the boat is loaded.