Proper Prop, 1996 Stingray, 556 ZP

[Harleeman11]

I just bought my first boat so...can a layman determine the pitch on a prop? Research tells me I should have a 17 for optimum performance. I have a 3 blade stainless, but have no idea how to determine the pitch of the thing. I took the boat out yesterday and it just doesn't seem to "max out" like I think it should. 35-36 MPH, but the tach does not work, and it took forever to get to that speed. Several suggestion were compression test the engine, could be timing, and definitely prop pitch were the top 3. Thanks for the response.

 

[craze1cars]

Re: Proper Prop, 1996 Stingray, 556 ZP

Absolutely necessary information in order to answer your question:

1. Functioning tachometer. Correct propeller choice is 100% based on RPMS. Period.

2. Knowledge of your current prop's pitch. Remove it from the boat to uncover markings. You'll find the pitch stamped on there somewhere.

3. A strong running engine in proper tune. You suspect your timing is off? Compression low? Verify and fix. This is positively critical...do a full and comprehensive tune-up on the entire powertrain...ignition system and fuel system.

Then, and only then, is it time to consider prop shopping. In order to help you do so, we need a full top speed run and all the data from it: Your Max RPM, your top speed (GPS ideal), your current prop's pitch, and ideally your outdrive's gear ratio.

Unfortunately, without all that data, nobody here can provide you with any useful advice....

At a BARE minimum, for only SLIGHTLY useful advice, we'd need a top speed run with accurate RPM and your current prop's pitch.