prop for holeshot

letsgo19

Seaman
Joined
Dec 24, 2009
Messages
68
I have a 20ft bowrider with a merc 305 220hp we usually have 6 or 7 people and about 700lbs ballast for boarding i put a 18p 4 blade stainless prop on for holeshot but it is a little sluggish.Would i be better off with a lower pitch or a 5 blade?
 

ENSIGN

Lieutenant Junior Grade
Joined
Jun 21, 2009
Messages
1,179
Re: prop for holeshot

To be serious,Ya need a bigger boat
 

steelespike

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Apr 26, 2002
Messages
19,069
Re: prop for holeshot

about 1800lbs of people and ballast I think I'd feel sluggish too.
I think prop selection would depend on your present rpm.Do you have trim tabs.
 

letsgo19

Seaman
Joined
Dec 24, 2009
Messages
68
Re: prop for holeshot

no i dont have trim tabs but i did notice that if i trim up a little before accelerating it improves take off alot.I assume its because there is less hull surface makeing contact with water meaning less drag.
 

Bondo

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Apr 17, 2002
Messages
71,082
Re: prop for holeshot

Ayuh,.... I would think that with 7 people onboard, you otta be leaving the 700lbs of ballast on shore...
 

letsgo19

Seaman
Joined
Dec 24, 2009
Messages
68
Re: prop for holeshot

boat is rated for 9 people plus 200 lbs gear .Then one person gets out to board so thats a little less in boat when boarding.
 

Bondo

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Apr 17, 2002
Messages
71,082
Re: prop for holeshot

Ayuh,... It's Still a 20' boat...

9x 150= 1350lbs. + 200= 1550lbs....

How heavy are your 7 friends,..??
My waGuess is, you're Overloaded by a 1/4 Ton....
 

letsgo19

Seaman
Joined
Dec 24, 2009
Messages
68
Re: prop for holeshot

One gets out to board i know its maxing out but other than the sluggish issue on takeoff it performs fine
 

hwsiii

Commander
Joined
Jan 25, 2009
Messages
2,639
Re: prop for holeshot

You don't mention anywhere how many RPM you get at WOT, what are they.



H
 

steelespike

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Apr 26, 2002
Messages
19,069
Re: prop for holeshot

Not knowing what your rpm is could be hard on your motor.It isn't likely to be overeving with the load your pushing but you could be lugging it.To low an rpm max.
If the motor can't reach its rated rpm it is lugging through the entitre rpm range.
Sort of like forcing your car to tow up hill in overdrive.Only the boat is doing it all the time.
 

MTribe08

Senior Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Oct 25, 2008
Messages
680
Re: prop for holeshot

I have a 20ft bowrider with a merc 305 220hp we usually have 6 or 7 people and about 700lbs ballast for boarding i put a 18p 4 blade stainless prop on for holeshot but it is a little sluggish.Would i be better off with a lower pitch or a 5 blade?

What type of boat is this, and are you using a tower to board with?
 
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