kicker prop size?

lcamp

Recruit
Joined
Apr 10, 2008
Messages
1
I have a 1999 Alumacraft Tournament Pro CS 175. Loaded package weight is about 1500-2000 pounds. I have a 2000 Mercury 9.9 4-stroke as a kicker. The kicker is not a big foot model. The current stock prop is 9" dia X 9" pitch. As it is now, to get my preferred troll speed of 1.5-1.8 mph the rpm must be so low the whole boat pretty much vibrates. I would like to decrease my troll speed to, 1.0-1.5 mph, or at least not increase it AND bump up the rpm a little. At iBoats.com links, I have found 7" and 5" pitch high thrust 4-blade props that are supposed to work for this motor. Which one would you recommend to acheive my goal? Is the 5" pitch going to be too low that I lose steering and/or push in a stiff wind and have to run at half throttle? Is the 7" pitch not low enough to attain a lower troll speed with a bit more rpm? Thanks for any help.
 

Haffiman

Commander
Joined
Dec 17, 2009
Messages
2,454
Re: kicker prop size?

As trolling prop for low speed, as low pitch as possible.
Even a full speed in emergency, you will have the max hull speed.
Go for the 5" 4-blade.
With a 4-blade the 7" will give almost the same low rpm speed as the 9" 3-blade.
 
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