Pontoon props?

OGHiggs

Cadet
Joined
Jun 3, 2019
Messages
9
Want to go to a 4 blade. I have a 16 diameter 13P prop now. Engine is 3.0 mercruiser alpha one. WOT is something like 4400-4800 I believe. I currently hang around 4800. What size prop should I get in the 4 blade? A 14-14? Or 14-12?
 

Texasmark

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Dec 20, 2005
Messages
14,785
Assume 4800 is the top of your operating RPM limit. Adding a blade is load and upping another inch is also load. Couple hundred each would put you back at 4400. Where's the bottom of your operating RPM and when you got your 4800 were you loaded light or heavy. If heavy, and 4400 is within, I'd opt for the 14. If not the 12. Butttt the diameter reduction will give you some relief but will probably nullify the difference in 3-4 if you go with the 14 but the 12 would probably be too light. You can always "control yourself" with the throttle when lightly loaded......If answers fit the question, 14 would be my choice.
 

Sea Rider

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Sep 20, 2008
Messages
12,345
Why would you need a 4 blade prop when current 3 blade one is working right for motor to rev at the upper wot rpm range as loaded. Was the toon lightly, medium light or heavily loaded when teted ? If with a constant fixed load much better than if boating with constant variable loads. There's no single prop that will work spot on if varying loads from light to heavy ones when boating.

Happy Boating
 

OGHiggs

Cadet
Joined
Jun 3, 2019
Messages
9
Pulling the kids on tubes. When I go into a turn I lose speed. Also read it would give me better fuel consumption. The mercury spitfire prop is the one I’m looking at. I read that if you change to a 4 blade to normally drop 1-2 off the pitch. The mercury website prop selector says stay with same pitch but I would lose 2 inches off the diameter. The option it give me was 13.8 - 13p. I thought I could possibly go to the 14 - 14p because of the two loss in diameter. Would possibly help with any loss of top end? Should I just go with what the website says?
 

OGHiggs

Cadet
Joined
Jun 3, 2019
Messages
9
No It’s got to be the toons digging in. I don’t hear any blowout happening.
 

Sea Rider

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Sep 20, 2008
Messages
12,345
No It’s got to be the toons digging in. I don’t hear any blowout happening.

With deck load evenly distributed, trim the motor to neutral when combo is underway along more open turns than before with current prop.

Happy Boating
 
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