What do I do now?

[jamesgreen]

Here is my prob. I have a 17'6" Crownline with a 3.0L Merc. I had a SS prop 14-19p on it before I hit the ramp with it but that is another story. I do not know what my WOT RPMs are becuse it was never an issue. My biggest problem with the boat was at low speed I was having troble staying on plane while pulling my son on a knee board (68lb 11 year old). I am not to worried about top end. If I go to an alum. prop of the same size and get trim tabs will I even notice the difference?

 

[WillyBWright]

Re: What do I do now?

There is a 4-blade aluminum specifically for sterndrives. It produces stern lift which may help keep your boat planed at a slightly slower speed. Mirage stainless props are also excellent for this. But when it comes right down to it, wakeboarding is done at that transition zone between displacing and planing. If you had a flat bottom boat, you'd have more luck planing at those speeds. But V-hulls make great waves at that speed, and wakeboarders can really have a lot of fun with them. Planing may not be all that desirable because that will greatly reduce that wake. Trim tabs would certainly help at least keep the hull level.

 

[Texasmark]

Re: What do I do now?

The other thing that is in your favor is pitch of the prop. The lower the pitch, the easier it is to control the boat at this transition point and the lower the "load" on the engine.<br /><br />Top end and fuel economy will suffer, but we boat for fun and fuel is consequential and we have tachometers to insure that we don't overrev our engines.<br /><br />My 2c<br /><br />Mark

 

[jamesgreen]

Re: What do I do now?

I have found several props here at resonable prices. The Solas amita is 4 blade and is about the same price as the others. The 3 blade props are the Mich. Wheel Match, Vortex and the Hustler. Are any of these any better then the others. Will the engine have to work harder to turn the four blade?