Johnson 140 4-stroke update

[imported_JD__]

I have a Tracker Avalanche and was having a hard time getting the right prop for my engine. I tried numerous good quality 13-1/2" diameter props with 22, 23, and 24" pitches. I finally tried a Stiletto SS, made by the same company that makes Turbo. The rep I talked with said they had done a lot of research with the 4-strokes because of demand. I told her what my boat was/ wasn't doing and what I wanted to accomplish. Two hours later she called back with a recommendation. I placed an order and two days later I received a highly polished, vented 14" X 24 prop. This prop has a noticeable progressive pitch, so much so it looks a lot different from the conventional 2-stroke props I tried. The prop gave me a decent hole shot, good mid-range, good bow lift with a top speed of 53.4 mph (GPS). The second best was a Merc Trophy 4-blade 13-3/4" X 23 with top speed of 51 MPH. These engines definitely like a big diameter prop. I suppose Suzuki/Johnson knew what they were talking about when they advertised that the 2.38 gear reduction allows you to swing a bigger prop. I've been trying props now for close to two months with this bass-type boat/4-stroke combination. I had talked with a lot of knowledgeable people about prop diameter, most said it didn't matter because different manufactures had different designs. This may be true in the 2-stroke world but believe you me, it does matter on the combination I have. The one thing I did was enlarge the existing 3/8" diameter vent holes to 7/16" to get the prop spinning. It really helped the hole shot. Well I'll surrender my soap box now. Thanks to all who tried to help me, thought this update could possibly save someone else a portion of the time, frustration and expense I've experienced.<br />JD