Better hole shot for a jon boat.

I've got a 16ft Bass Tracker Pro 16. Console, 25hp Mercury. I'd like to improve hole shot and top speed a bit. The hull is ridiculously light. I've read it's like 300lbs but I've never weighed it.

Is it worth going to an SS? I've read that on lower HP motors it doesn't make much of a difference because they don't have the power to flex aluminum. Also, I'm not sure how much difference it makes that its a Jon and not a deep V.

Current top speed is about 19mph.

2) Current prop manufacturer, model, aluminum or stainless as a minimum.
*Not sure, but it's an aluminum.

3) Current prop diameter and pitch (required).
*10.5x13

4) Wide open throttle RPM and speed with an average load (very helpful)
* not sure, no tach. Average load is two adults about 200lbs plus fishing gear and 6 gallons of fuel.

5) Engine/drive make, model, year, and HP
Mercury outboard, Tracker, 1994, 25hp.

You kind of need to know your current wot RPM before making any changes. Maybe get a tiny tach or equivalent. This will allow you to get rpm data without having to install anything. Just make sure you configure it correctly.

Without this information, you could be over revving your engine or severely lugging it. Both are dangerous to your outboard.

680# for the dry hull

need to know total weight (hull, motor, gear, beer, you, fish, sammiches)
need to get a tach to see where you are RPM wise (no way around that)

second the tiny tach

What is a tiny tach?

Jimwhall said:

What is a tiny tach?

Click to expand...

Search it on Amazon, they can be purchased for as little as 11 dollars. Basically, it a little digital tach that has a cable you wrap around your spark plug wire and it reads rpm.

Scott Danforth said:

680# for the dry hull

need to know total weight (hull, motor, gear, beer, you, fish, sammiches)
need to get a tach to see where you are RPM wise (no way around that)

second the tiny tach

Click to expand...

Big difference in weight ! Unfortunately many boat owners underestimate their boats weight. The 19 mph sounds pretty good with two adults and gear.

Jimwhall said:

What is a tiny tach?

Click to expand...

basically the same tachometer that is on your riding lawn mower. uses a single wire wrapped round one of the spark plug holes.


as stated, the knock-offs on amazon are as cheap as $11

I think I'll go the Tiny Tach route just because it's good to know. But it does sound like I might be good where I'm at. It's had this prop for 30 years or so, so I can't imagine it's damaging the engine as is. I believe it's the OEM prop.

Is there any truth to the idea that SS is wasted on smaller motors because they can't torque aluminum hard enough to make it bend?

Jimwhall said:

I think I'll go the Tiny Tach route just because it's good to know. But it does sound like I might be good where I'm at. It's had this prop for 30 years or so, so I can't imagine it's damaging the engine as is. I believe it's the OEM prop.

Is there any truth to the idea that SS is wasted on smaller motors because they can't torque aluminum hard enough to make it bend?

Click to expand...

SS props are designed for performance engine and boats because the blades are thinner, they cut thru the water better and can be tricked out for performance easier. Flexing aluminum prop blades is like measuring how much a steel rod bends when a fly lands on it !