Prop help for a fundeck 226

[thephoneman]

Greetings,
So here's the scoop: have a 94 hurricane fundeck with a 5.0 mercruiser. The prop is currently a 21 pitch which I believe is causing me the difficulty of getting on plane. It takes people in the front as well as adjusting the trim to get there. When I do get it on plane I'm getting approx 33mph @ 4400 rpm. Thinking of a 19 or 17 pitch but unsure if I need to change diameter or not. Biggest thing is being able to plane without as much trouble. I'd like the thing to move when I need it to, but it will be a multipurpose vessel. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

 

[QBhoy]

Go 19” and see. Think you’ll be just about right at that. 21” sounds a bit much off the top of my head.
should put you right at the top of the rpm range once you’re at work too. Good luck.

 

[jimmbo]

Being a 94 I will assume it is a Carbed Engine. Is the carb opening fully when the Throttle is at Max?

You could go to a 4 blade, dropping down to a 15, maybe a 17, but that will literally kill the top speed,

As QBouy suggested, a 3 blade 19 will be better, will raise the top RPM to about 4800. then when it warms up, you might have to drop down to a 17

How long have had this boat? If it not a recent Purchase, has it always been a Lollygagger on Acceleration?

 

[thephoneman]

It's a "new to me boat". Yes it's a 2 barrel carb. I've only had it in the water twice and by a few things that happened on the shakedowns, I'm guessing that it is opening all the way. The previous owner was clueless when it came to this boat so I've had to go over a few things electrical wise to get it up to snuff. He claimed that sometimes it was sluggish and other times it would run like a top. He thought it might be carb related but said the carb had been rebuilt. I know that when you open up the throttle at times struggles to get over 3000. It takes quite an effort to get it on plane, but when it's there, man what a nice ride. I could even adjust the trim to porpoise (I know that's not ideal). One more thing, keep the same diameter? The current one is 13.75. thanks for the input!

 

[H20Rat]

I've got a 198 fundeck with the 4.3l, and until I had smarttabs on it, the thing was a dog to get out of the hole, and didn't like staying on plane at any reasonable speed. A set of smarttabs dramatically changed (improved) the boat!