Prop For Hole Shot

[justarobb]

HELLO AND GOOD DAY, FIRST I'D LIKE TO SAY HOW AWESOME THIS SITE IS!!!!
I HAVE A 1988 SUNRAY, 2.3LITTER FORD ENGINE WITH A OMC OUTDRIVE. RIGHT NOW I HAVE TWO PROPS TO USE, 13 1/4 X 19 AND 13 1/4 X 17. mY HIGH END SPEED IS 40MPH @4500 RPM. I NEED A BETTER HOLE SHOT TO GET SKIERS AND TUBERS UP. I DO NOT MIND LOOSINF TOP END SPEED FOR A BETTER HOLE SHOT. MY QUESTION, SHOULD I GO TO A 4 BLADE, STAINLESS, OR WHAT.
THANK YOU IN ADVANCE FOR ANY AND ALL HELP
ROB.

 

[Randybeall]

Re: Prop For Hole Shot

Which prop are you using to do 40 mph at 4500 rpm? What is the recommended peak engine speed? The 17 inch pitch will give better low speed acceleration (hole shot).

 

[wca_tim]

Re: Prop For Hole Shot

I would think about something like a Solas Titan 4 blade in 15" pitch. Lot of prop for the money. or an analogous aluminum prop if a stainless is not in the budget. It will hook up out of the hole big time, and will drop your top speed a little.

 

[justarobb]

Re: Prop For Hole Shot

thank you for your responce, I am not sure what the recommended high end rpm, but I was told when i bought the boat to keep it at or under 4500rpm, I will try the 4 blade 15 pitch, shouls i change the diameter?

 

[wca_tim]

Re: Prop For Hole Shot

the diameter is usually set for a line of props based on what is best for the The same general diameter is probably where it needs to be. Note that you will probably not be able to run wide open without over revving a little - you'll (probably) have to watch the tach when running close to wide open.

Note also that vented props can help a lot in some situations - by venting exhaust bubbles along the blades when at lower speeds, they let the blades slip and the engine rpms ramp up into a range where the engine makes more power, sort of like a stall converter does in a street rod...

If you were worried about top end, playing with a vented prop has a better chance of boosting your holeshot without slowing your top end. Since you're not so worried about losing a little top end (can always swap back to your current prop and have it back in a few minutes) propping down a notch and adding blades is a pretty safe bet for a sizable increase.