I think I'm Prop JINXED???????

[Reg312]

1990 Lowe 200 - 20' Pontoon with 1990 40 hp Johnson. Got a new to me Pontoon last fall, changed impeller and tore apart and cleaned carbs and runs GREAT, but I keep tearing up props, my fault of course. When I bought the toon it looked to have a lightly used 13" x 11 pitch prop which I proceeded to tear up going real slow in low water but hit a log and took a nice chip out of it. It didn't push the toon well after that so I contemplated going for a 4 blade but the 3 did push the toon OK so just ordered the same one again. Put the new prop on this this weekend and it just didn't want to push the toon right. We stopped and fished for awhile and when we started for home all seemed OK. According to gauges we were at 5200 RPM at 14 mph by gage. I think in reality more like 12 mph. Not as fast as before, but due to having a cabin on lower water I have to leave the toon in for the summer so there is a lot of crud on the toons and that would probably slow it down a few MPH. Went out that night to do more fishing. As we left I backed into a submerged Rock pile at slow speed, but enough to seriously oval the exhaust port and merit me ordering another damn prop. I could go with the 3 blade again, but was thinking maybe a 12" 4 blade with a 8 -9 - or 10 pitch. What do you think and if the 4 blade would give me a more positive bite in the water, which pitch sounds best for my pontoon. I've actually hit that damn rock pile 4 x's now. I always THINK I know where it is. At least I always hit it at slow speed now. Maybe I should order props by the case????

 

[steelespike]

Re: I think I'm Prop JINXED???????

You can have your props repaired at a prop shop. Maybe your original prop fixed up will get you back to your original performance.
Numbers with the original prop would help determine what changes are needed if any.
A 4 blade can have a better grip and might improve performance slightly.
At the least it should handle better at the dock.If you get after the logs and try to clean often it will be easier to keep clean.If they go too long might be really hard to clean.Power tilt would help keep your prop out of the rocks.
Pricey, but just the convience might make it worth it.

 

[Reg312]

Re: I think I'm Prop JINXED???????

I got tilt. Just stupidity. I "THOUGHT" I knew where I was and where the hidden rocks were. I was WRONG. People hit them ALL the time. I just do it slower know. The original prop with clean toons was 13 mph on GPS at 5200 rpm with the 13" x 11 pitch prop. Blades OK on the prop. Just ovaled the exhaust port. Going to try hammer it back into shape. Still think I'll order a 12" 4 blade. Just don't know if I should go fo rthe 8 - 9 or 10 pitch?