Props, Props, What Prop??

[deerslayer303]

Hello Again All,

First I hope all of you are enjoying your summer!!

Anyway I dont think I have enough prop on my motor. The boat is a 1991 Pro Craft 180 Combo (fish n ski) it weighs 1500 lbs (DRY) and is 18' 5" and has a 30 gallon tank. The motor is a '91 Mercury 175 Black Max (NON XR). The prop thats on there is a quicksilver 3 blade stainless steel 21P. I don't know the diameter because its not stamped on there just the pitch. Now the boat will get out the hole like a cat kicked in the arse. But it gets to operating rpm (around 5700) way to fast. And it seems it should go faster. I don't know the speed either, something is up with the speed tube, i need to look into that.

Does anyone know what prop is recommended for this motor. Or what prop should I start with. All my fishing buddies say I should have at least a 24P, Most of them are running 150hp Mercs on 19 foot Rangers and they have 23P 3 blade stainless props. Any guidance is as always greatly appreciated.

 

[BoobieBouncer]

Re: Props, Props, What Prop??

You should post your question here:

Prop Questions and Topics

 

[westexasrepublic]

Re: Props, Props, What Prop??

if your hole shot is fast and top end is slow, you should go with a higher pitch then what you have currently.

 

[hwsiii]

Re: Props, Props, What Prop??

Can you borrow a GPS and come back with a real speed for us and is this boat a bass boat or does it have a pad bottom.


H

 

[deerslayer303]

Re: Props, Props, What Prop??

Can you borrow a GPS and come back with a real speed for us and is this boat a bass boat or does it have a pad bottom.


H

Forgive my ignorance but what is a "pad bottom" exactly?

 

[hwsiii]

Re: Props, Props, What Prop??

Deerslayer, there is no such thing as ignorance, just a lack of knowledge in a specific discipline. The pad is on the bottom of the boat at the stern, here is a picture it helps pick the boat up at higher speeds.

H

 

[deerslayer303]

Re: Props, Props, What Prop??

Deerslayer, there is no such thing as ignorance, just a lack of knowledge in a specific discipline. The pad is on the bottom of the boat at the stern, here is a picture it helps pick the boat up at higher speeds.

H

The boat doesn't have this pad bottom just the regular V shape from the stern to the bow. My buddy is bringing his hand held Garmin to work tonight for me to use, I will take the boat out Sunday and post some better data with just me in it.

Now do you want full "TILT" boogie speed (motor trimmed up, WOT and RPM?) or do you want motor all the way down and WOT and RPM

 

[hwsiii]

Re: Props, Props, What Prop??

I want FULL TILT. LOL


H

 

[deerslayer303]

Re: Props, Props, What Prop??

Ok I finally got the boat out Saturday. I was not impressed with its performance to say the least. The motor runs great and this boat should haul arse, its only 18' 5" long 1500 pounds dry with a 175hp. According to a Lowarance I finder Gps. The boat did 51.9 mph @ 5450 RPM That was wide open with the motor trimmed. The lake was pretty calm with just a slight surface chop. I did play with the trim too and 51.9 mph was the best it would do. I had a half a tank of fuel. The prop is a Mercury Quicksilver 21P

 

[deerslayer303]

Re: Props, Props, What Prop??

Ttt

 

[hwsiii]

Re: Props, Props, What Prop??

Deerslayer, I believe your friends have bass boats with pad bottoms and they can run those higher pitched props and run faster speeds.


H