What prop to go?

notinbig

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Apr 26, 2003
Messages
384
I have an 88 larson 4.3 omc 18 foot with a michigan wheel 4x19.5 what can I go to for a better hole shot and for more top end.!?
 

Link

Rear Admiral
Joined
Apr 13, 2003
Messages
4,221
Re: What prop to go?

notinbig:<br />Sounds like your wanting to use your boat for two seperate things IE: Water sking/tubing one weekend with a lot of family etc then fishing or cruising the next. You should be able to find a good compromise for your boating needs. But sometimes on smaller boats people use two different props... one for low end hole shots for pulling and lower speeds then another for top end IE: more pitch. Rule of thumb we always used was figure out what your average load is (people and equipment) then pick a prop that gives you max RPM for your motor and load at WOT. Most marine stores in my area are more than glad to let you try several props as long as you dont ding them up. <br /><br />Luck to ya<br />Link
 

Jack Shellac

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Aug 7, 2002
Messages
1,661
Re: What prop to go?

Good answer from Link. The most important thing is to use a prop that lets your motor operate in the upper quarter of the manufacturer's maximum RPM range. If this isn't giving you the hole shot you need, you need another, lower in pitch, to use for skiing, tubing, whatever. Venting the prop is another possibility to improve hole shot. Do a search on "Venting" and you'll find a wealth of information. I use a 17" and a 19" pitch prop for about the same circumstances and have one as a spare when using the other. Venting helped my 19" hole shot, but not nearly as much as changing to the 17"
 
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