60-hp 4-stroke prop

[GaryA]

My 2006 lund explorer has a 60hp mercury 4-stroke on it. With two or three people in the boat it struggles to get up on plane. Can anyone recommend a prop change that may cure the problem. Wide open it max's out at about 5500rpm. Currently running a 10-3/8 13 pitch prop. Thanks.

 

[steelespike]

Re: 60-hp 4-stroke prop

There seems to be 7 different Explorer models.Size and max hp rating would help.What speed at 5,500?
What is motors the max rated rpm? It would seem a 13 should be close to right on.

 

[GaryA]

Re: 60-hp 4-stroke prop

The boat is a 1700 explorer dual console. Max rpm is 6000. The boat currently does about 28mph@5500 rpm. Not sure what the max hp rating is.

 

[Dhadley]

Re: 60-hp 4-stroke prop

On any motor the holeshot will suffer if the top rpms are not at or very near the max, especially a 4 stroke. Start by looking at the set up. If you can raise the motor to reduce drag the rpms will increase and the holeshot will improve too. Overall efficiency will improve too. Simply going to less pitch will improve holeshot and may increase top rpms but may not improve efficiency.

 

[GaryA]

Re: 60-hp 4-stroke prop

Ok,
So I checked the motor mounting and the motor sits on the transom and could not go any lower, the prop is a good foot below the bottom of the boat. There are a series of five holes that can progressively raise the motor up off the transom. How do I determine the correct height for the motor?The dealer has an 11 pitch prop he wants me to try this weekend, think it will be too much?

 

[steelespike]

Re: 60-hp 4-stroke prop

The 11 pitch will add ABOUT 400 rpm putting you at ABOUT 5,900
Will improve your hole shot
I wouldn't do the 11 until you raise the motor and see where you are at.
Under ideal conditions you might gain a couple a mph, some rpm and a slight improvement in hole shot.
There is no set height for any motor the highest point without venting(cavitation) problems is ideal.Antivent plate even with the bottom is considered a starting point.The whole idea is to have as little motor in the water as possible,less drag.
A prop like a Turning Point Hustler and others will allow more height.