Does anyone know how to find or what the right size prop is?

[banko]

I have a 1988 Four Winns 160 Freedom with a OMC Cobra 3.0. The prop on is seems to take for ever getting out of the hole. Does anyone know what the best pitch prop is for this boat. When i bought this boat from the previous owner he had a whale tail installed on it, is that something you guys recommend keeping on it?
Thanks,
Jason

 

[steelespike]

Re: Does anyone know how to find or what the right size prop is?

Usually a whale tale is a bandaid, some I/Os struggle to plane.
The tale can work but there may be better choices.
We need the info from the stickys at the top of the prop forum.
Your prop size should be under the prop nut or near the base of the blades.
Forever to plane? is that measured in seconds or minutes?
To do this right you'll need a working tach and a gps for speed.

 

[banko]

Re: Does anyone know how to find or what the right size prop is?

It can sometimes take upwards of a min. Especially in rough water, I will get the prop size later today.

Usually a whale tale is a bandaid, some I/Os struggle to plane.
The tale can work but there may be better choices.
We need the info from the stickys at the top of the prop forum.
Your prop size should be under the prop nut or near the base of the blades.
Forever to plane? is that measured in seconds or minutes?
To do this right you'll need a working tach and a gps for speed.

 

[banko]

Re: Does anyone know how to find or what the right size prop is?

The prop that is on there now is a 13 1/4 X 17 aluminum

 

[steelespike]

Re: Does anyone know how to find or what the right size prop is?

We still need the info from the stickys.
I can tell you that lightly loaded it should get on plane pretty easily, and run between about 35 and 40
a probably over revving.
Sometimes as they age boats pick up water in the foam under the floor usually from poor storage that allows water to stand in the boat for long periods.Sometimes you may notice water collecting at the stern with the bow up on the trailer.
Be sure the timing is set right and advancing as it should.
Be sure the throttle opens all the way.
Is the bottom clean and smooth.

 

[banko]

Re: Does anyone know how to find or what the right size prop is?

I will check the timing and do a full tune up take it to the lake and see what I get out of it. There is no water gathering in the stern so I dont think that is the issue. When I take it out next time I will get the RPM and the speed to fill in the missing info. sorry for not haveing the info on hand , getting the boat out is three 2 1/2 hours away.

 

[steelespike]

Re: Does anyone know how to find or what the right size prop is?

No problem most folks arrive with about the same amount of info.
A light load wot run with the rpm and speed by gps can help tell if your setup is working and also may indicate if a prop change makes sense.