pontoon speed

[badbird]

ok I have a 1999 Bennington 2050LX with a Mercury 90ELPTO 2 stroke, I downloaded a GPS app for my IPhone and it shows my boat hits 21-22 MPH @ 5000 RPM and a 15P prop with me and the GF in the boat... Does this seem right and would a 13P prop help with speed ?

any help greatly appreciated

Thanks Ron

 

[lmuss53]

Re: pontoon speed

I would try a 13 since you are at the lower end of the RPM range for the 90 ELPTO. When I went to an 11 from a 13 on my old 50 HP I got 300 more RPM and 2 MPH.

I owned a 1996 90 ELPTO on a 17 Starcraft and it was a sweet power making machine from the first day until I sold it in '06 to buy this pontoon.

 

[5150abf]

Re: pontoon speed

You don't prop a boat for speed, you prop to achieve a certain rpm and speed is a factor of that.

Outboards are designed to work in a specific rpm range, find out what that is for your boat and what you are turning now and you will know exactly where to go but no I wouldn't just start trying props, if you go too small you over rev the engine which is really bad.

 

[EGlideRider]

Re: pontoon speed

You are at the low end of the RPM range so I would definitely go with a 13 pitch. You may get a speed increase but as mentioned by 5150, you prop for proper RPM's and not speed.

 

[badbird]

Re: pontoon speed

You don't prop a boat for speed, you prop to achieve a certain rpm and speed is a factor of that.

Outboards are designed to work in a specific rpm range, find out what that is for your boat and what you are turning now and you will know exactly where to go but no I wouldn't just start trying props, if you go too small you over rev the engine which is really bad.

5000rpm was WOT that is why I was thinking a 13P would be ok i figure it would gain about 300rpm

Ron

 

[lakegeorge]

Re: pontoon speed

I get 21mph on my GPS with a 60hp 4stroke Yamaha on 22ft Sweetwater @5,600 rpm's.
You should be turning a lot more rpm's and you should be running in the high 20's with a 20ft toon.
Find the manual for your motor or call the mfg. Also go online and type in "boat tests" and you will probably find similiar results for your type boat & motor.