Tubing with my bass boat

[amp381]

I have a 19ft Ranger, powered by a Evinrude 175. Current prop is 14.5 dia, 24 pitch 3 blade. Runs about 5200 - 5500 when trimmed properly at WOT @ 60 - 65 mph depending on load/people. I fish mostly, and this setup is fine. However, the wife and some friends want to do some tubing with it and we already have the tubing hookups from a previous boat. Anyway, I'm thinking of switching to a 21 4-blade, or even a 19 pitch 4 blade. Max speed, looking for 30-35, maybe 40 at most. 3 or 4 people in the boat, and 1 or 2 on the tube. What're you guys thinking pitch wise? Is a 19 too low? Not low enough? 21 a good compromise? Thanks...

 

[Sea Rider]

Variable load is a rpm serial killer, it's not same to prop right any motor to run say middle to max wot rpm range stated for each HP and brand motor for say 4 up and then add extra boaters, skiers, pull water toys.

When stating trimmed properly at wot ? Which trim position might that be : Under/Neutral or Over trim ones ? How about deck load distribution ?

Start with a 21 x 4 blade prop and report the wot rpm difference dialed with boaters alone and boaters + pulling water toys to check the rpm loss between both boating situations. With a 19 pitch motor will probably over rev high when just with boaters, only a wot run on flat calm, no wind water cond will tell which of both selected prop pitches will handle both boating situations better, no top though as with a fixed passenger load.

Happy Boating

 

[amp381]

When I said trimmed properly, I meant when water conditions permit (glass) and I'm able to fully trim up the motor to the happy point where going any further would reduce my speed and/or cause excessive RPM. Deck load normally is 2 people. After doing a bit of research, I agree 19 would probably be way too much over-rev. But I only considered it because there could be potentially 4 in the boat, and 2 on a tube. I'm just looking for something that will help me plane at low MPH with all that weight. I'll be watching RPM's the whole time... but to your point, I think a 21 4 blade would probably handle that condition, which is the extreme end. We always camp right on the water, so changing prop out after we're done tubing should be a < 5 minute job... I plan to run the 21 for tubing only and then switch out when the "fun" is done. Thanks for the reply!

 

[QBhoy]

I don’t think you’ll need to change a thing. You will manage just fine with that set up you have. Doesn’t take much to get a towable skimming. Certainly not enough to worry about compromising your boat otherwise.