Should I change prop pitch/ go to stainless.

Gbakman53

Recruit
Joined
Jun 30, 2022
Messages
5
I am going to be adding a jackplate with 6 inches of setback to my setup. My current setup is a 15-foot v haul, with a 115 merc tower of power, 19 pitch aluminum prop. Currently turning around 5000 rpm. This is a bit low right now, but that should come up with the jackplate height. Currently experiencing some chine walk at 50mph, im worried the jackplate will make this worse. Im wondering if a prop change might help, or maybe trim tabs are the way to go. I know its going to be hard to give advice withought me having any feedback yet with how the jackplate handles. But thanks in advance.
I am not sure if I could make any difference in speed or performance maybe even fuel efficiency but I would like the members comments and feedback on my boat prop? I have a 1979 StarCraft Fishmaster 160 with a 1985 Johnson 70 hp J70ELCOS outboard motor. The boat has been completely rehabbed and I would put my best guess at 700-800 lbs without the motor. The motor weighs about 250 lbs. so total weight without fishing gear and passengers it’s about 1000 lbs. Give or take! I currently have a 13-1/4” x 17 prop on it. I also have a 13-3/4” x 15, steel prop not stainless steel because it is magnetic attaching. Usually 3 or 4 adults will be on the boat. My question is should I stay with the 13-1/4” or change it to the other one? I forgot to mention that I have a Stingray Senior classic 2 series fin on the motor above the prop and I have a Hydro-Shield fin located underneath the prop. Picture posted
 

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jbcurt00

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Staff member
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Oct 25, 2011
Messages
25,288
Best to ask questions about your setup in a topic of your own.

The topic you posted to was about an unidentified boat w a Merc 115, completely different then your setup.

Moved
 

jimmbo

Supreme Mariner
Joined
May 24, 2004
Messages
14,420
First of all, do you have any info regarding what you maximum Rpm is with the 17 inch prop? Also do you have the rpm without all that Garbage bolted to the Gearcase?

I have Never heard of a Steel Prop for that Engine, only AL and SS. Not all SS is non-magnetic
 

racerone

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Dec 28, 2013
Messages
39,731
Why would you say that the 15"prop is not stainless?----Some stainless is indeed magnetic.
 
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