what prop

[imported_bjs]

ive asked this question but never got a answer what kind and pitch do you boaters run on 120 force motors mine is a 1998 triton 17.5 bass boat 120 force motor and yes the motor is a 1998.

 

[walleyehed]

Re: what prop

There really isn't a good answer to that question...seriously.<br />It would be best to know what RPM and habits you get with an existing prop of known model and size.<br />Your in Wichita, a 1000ft above sea-level, so your prop isn't going to be the same as anyone running at sea-level.

 

[Ron G]

Re: what prop

Racer do you have a jackplate?What pitch are running now and what do want are you going for holeshot,topend or middle ground?

 

[imported_bjs]

Re: what prop

no i do not have a jack plate i would like to but is really going to help on that size of boat?I'm just looking for a all around prop with good hole shot and good top end.my current prop is laser 2 14x24 SS had a 13 1/2by 23.but its was out of motor in a short period of time.im just lookin for somone who has a boat with this set up so i will know were to start i went to a boat shop told what i had they said a 18 pitch i said your crazy! im alreay at max rpm in no time at all the stock alum.prop was a 23 pitch.

 

[Ross Rains]

Re: what prop

A jackplate will help virtualy any boat if you want to get maximum performance from your setup. A jackplate puts the motor farther back from the trailing edge of your boat and into cleaner water. Because the water being displaced by your hull has a chance to rise back to normal you can run your motor higher in relation to the bottom of your boat. The less motor in the water, the less drag, the less drag, the more speed. A few hours on a pretty day spent trying different motor heights will let you dial in your jackplate setting (I would advise installing a water presssure gauge before doing this) . How many rpm are you turning the laser at wide open throttle, trimmed out, fully loaded, ready to fish? Does the laser give you a satisfactory hole shot?

 

[imported_bjs]

Re: what prop

yes i get a good hole shot i guess from what i can tell.when i trim the motor up it will go well into the max rpm range which scares me cause i don't want to blow my motor up. my trim on my boat is real touchy trim has to be set right on or goes to 6000rpms real quick.jack plates are kinda pricey aren't they what kind to you have?

 

[Salmonseeker]

Re: what prop

You said you trim is very touchy?<br />Just curious when you trim the motor and it jumps up to 6000 rpm quickly. Do you lose any speed? You might be ventilating. Which may mean you need a different prop or your motor may be mounted to high.

 

[imported_bjs]

Re: what prop

i never really paid that much att.to that part i tryed to lower the motor once and the boat handled terrible.what kind of jack plate do you have?and how much setback?ive had two other brands of props and differnt pitch the current one is best as for as boat handle&speed& holeshotmaybe i just need a jackplate.

 

[walleyehed]

Re: what prop

The ONLY way that Force 120 on a 17.5 Triton, is going to 6000RPM with a 23 pitch is #1, the tach is highly inaccurate..or #2, the prop is venting badly with trim.<br />The people that are telling you 18P, I don't believe are far off, unless you set the boat up with a jackplate.<br />I'd like to hear a speed figure you are attaining at 6000RPM..or even 5000.<br />At what RPM does your engine Idle in gear?

 

[Ross Rains]

Re: what prop

I wouldn't argue with anything walleyehed said. I am a firm believer in jackplates but before you add a jackplate or any other performance enhancing piece, you must have a good baseline to judge your progress. If you were "out of motor in a short period of time" with a 13 1/2" dia. X 23P prop then a 14" dia. X 24P prop should not have worked. Does your motor sound as if it climbs smoothly (if rapidly) to 6000 rpm or does the motor suddenly change sounds? Are you putting up a rooster tail higher than the top of your engine at WOT? All the rpm in the world is no good if your prop is not biting the water. If your rpm jumps but boat speed does not, your prop is slipping and that's not a good thing.

 

[imported_bjs]

Re: what prop

idles at 500rpm mph is 47.the prop bits the water good.im just wondering if the rake on the prop is wrong i will say the tach could be off. everyone thats drove the boat says it runs good.im not trying to run a race im just asking if you experts think I'm in the ball Park if i do buy a jack plate what setback do i need and what kind would guys recommend?and were to buy the jack plate.give me your input.cause im sure it cant hurt the boat.everything i've did been an improvement.i marked the prop so i know its not slipping.

 

[walleyehed]

Re: what prop

OK, at 6000RPM with the 24P Laser, you should be in the 58MPH Range, however, figuring 47MPH with a conservative slip ratio of 12%, with the 23P, your RPM is closer to 4700, not 6000RPM.<br />So, we need to know if the speed is GPS (This will be our "known" variable) and that will tell us if the tach is off or where we are headed.<br />In researching this, I've found 150 Force engines using less pitch on 18ft boats (Bass style), but they may have different gear ratios.

 

[imported_bjs]

Re: what prop

i checked the speed with gps. my friend has a 17ft nitro with 115 mercury and it will do about the same speed he has a 26 pitch prop those little motors may have a differnt gear.but don't it take a smaller pitch prop to get a heavy boat to move?I'm not sure i would want to go over 50 mph in my little boat.but still what about a jackplate what setback and what kind?i will get the tach checked were do you get that done mid kansas marine?

 

[walleyehed]

Re: what prop

Check with Crestview Marine...11018 E. Central.<br />683-4581 see if they can help you out. I'd recommend a Bob's machine jackplate in the combo 3-1/2 to 5" I believe it is...(setback).<br />Mid Kansas Marine is OK too.