Stupid Question: Propellers?

[Depotdru]

Ok, I know this is going to sound like a stupid question, but I will ask anyway.
I have been reading this forum for a couple of months now, as I am in the market for a pontoon. I have seen numerous posts/threads about the proper prop to use on certain boats/motors etc.
Would a dealer/manufacturer pair up/match the right prop and motor to go with the boat being made? Or are other variables in play. If I buy a new pontoon with "X" motor that has "Y" prop installed, do I need to start monkeying with the configuration for my tastes/needs, or just go with the showroom setup? Or will the dealer know what to put on it?
It all seems very confusing to me, and I would not even know how to get started.

I do appologize if this is truly a stupi question.
Drew

 

[Rocky_Road]

Re: Stupid Question: Propellers?

Ok, I know this is going to sound like a stupid question, but I will ask anyway.
I have been reading this forum for a couple of months now, as I am in the market for a pontoon. I have seen numerous posts/threads about the proper prop to use on certain boats/motors etc.
Would a dealer/manufacturer pair up/match the right prop and motor to go with the boat being made? Or are other variables in play. If I buy a new pontoon with "X" motor that has "Y" prop installed, do I need to start monkeying with the configuration for my tastes/needs, or just go with the showroom setup? Or will the dealer know what to put on it?
It all seems very confusing to me, and I would not even know how to get started.

I do appologize if this is truly a stupi question.
Drew

Nothing wrong with your question: "Can I trust the dealer to give me the right prop for my set up?"

The generic answer would be 'yes'...but, you really need to use the boat to see if you are reaching (or exceeding) the recommended RPM range of your engine. Everything hinges upon this. It is easy to correct a wrong pitch for your application, and many of us make the change and keep the original prop for backup. All you need to do is run your new boat in a configuration (people, gear, fuel load) as close to what you will normally run to figure this out. It is all downhill from there....

Happy boating!

 

[EGlideRider]

Re: Stupid Question: Propellers?

+1 for Rocky. You could also ask the dealer to change the prop on the first service at about 10 to 20 hours if it is needed. You'll need about that many hours on the engine before you have a true assesment of the WOT RPM range.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Stupid Question: Propellers?

When you take delivery of a boat, make sure you do ALL testing with what you consider will be an average load. If you test with just yourself you will be very unsatisfied with performance with fully loaded. If you test fully loaded the engine may overrev at WOT when lightly loaded. This will ensure that you will have the right prop for the way you use the boat "most of the time".

 

[BatDaddy1887]

Re: Stupid Question: Propellers?

...or you can try one of several prop selector sites....you would need to know boat length, motor size, amount of people, etc.

http://www.mercurymarine.com/propellers/prop-selector/#

http://www.turningpointpropellers.com/

 

[5150abf]

Re: Stupid Question: Propellers?

With a prop you almost have to run the boat to see what it is doing to know what to do next, you can't just say this prop goes on boat x, it isn't that simple.

Boat engines needs to turn a certian rpm and you prop for that, haivne said that a new boat should come propped correctly as well btu you will need to run the boat to see.