Need new prop!

[zkimball]

I've tried to post this before, but I haven't seen it, so I hope I'm not double posting.

I own a '98 Sea Pro 210CC w/ T-top, powered by '98 Johnson 150, twisting 15X17 OMC Viper. With me alone on board and half tank of fuel, I'm turning up ~5600 RPM. With family and fishing gear on board it's ~5200-5300 RPM. I have no idea what speed that is, and I don't really care. I NEVER twist it up like that; I FISH!

We fish the St Johns River, the ICW, and offshore in Jacksonville, Florida and the Keys. This boat is perfect for my family and our needs, but I've never been satisfied with the performance, especially offshore. It takes 3500+ to get up on a plane and then I'm throttleing up and down, up and down, trying to stay up on a plane vs jumping off the back of the waves and beatin' the snot outa' us and the boat!

I want a prop to optimize the mid range(~4000 RPM), something to get it up quicker and keep it up at a lower speed and rpm. I REALLY don't care about the top end! I'm considering a four blade prop and I would appreciate your input. Thank you all for all the wonderful advice. I've learned a lot!! Z

 

[rndn]

Re: Need new prop!

The four blade will really lower your speed to plane. It will help keep the boat glued to the water and should even out your performance with or without added passengers. Do you have trim tabs? If not you may want to forget the new prop and spring for a good set of them. They will really help your boat stay on plane at lower speeds much more than a four blade prop. I went with the four blade prop strickly because of cost and was very very happy with the improvement to my boat. That was on a 20 foot Baja with a 5.7 mercruiser. The four blade SS Stiletto increased my MPG, increased my top end, and launched the boat out of the water like it was on a slingshot.

 

[rndn]

Re: Need new prop!

Welcome to this wonderful forum. The people on here are very experienced and willing to share their vast boating knowledge.

 

[zkimball]

Re: Need new prop!

Thanks for the reply!

Tom suggests I try the VenSura/Offshore, the Rev four, and Stilleto Bay Pro III. I also wonder about the OMC/BRP Renegade Offshore/Cyclone. Any pros or cons?

Thanks again! Z