Fast prop for tunnel hull

Richpena

Recruit
Joined
Aug 4, 2009
Messages
4
Hello all. I've been lurking these boards for a while and find all the information very useful. Im looking for a prop that will give me a little more top speed...just for the sake of going fast. I currently have a 13ft Aksano power cat. Boat and motor weigh 780 lbs. it is a tunnel hull and 70 inches at the beam. Its powered by a 50 hp etec with a gear ratio of 2.67 and rpm range of 5500-6000. I mostly use the boat to cruise and fish but sooner or later will try some watersports. I currently have a stamped Evinrude sst prop that is 13 7/8 x 15. with one person on board it hits about 5950 rpms and top speed is 32.5 mph (gps) the drop off with 2 people is about 100 rpms. i usually have 8 gallons of fuel. The boat planes in about 2 seconds or less with one person and holds it at 3500 rpms and 15-16 mph (gps). I feel this would be a good prop for watersports. What I am looking for is a prop that will give me more top speed. The manufacturer claims speeds of 40-45 mph but he favors Hondas which have a different gear ratio. I realize i will have to lose hole shot but thats ok. I want two props so i can do different things. I also have a 13.25 by 17 aluminum prop which came with the boat which if memory serves runs at about 5700 rpms with two people on board. I don't know top speed. I saw a test somewhere on the internet with my same setup and 13x19 aluminum prop which gave 37mph at 5500 rpms. that would be fine. Just looking to see if there is a prop with better geometry that would get me the speed and keep me in my rpm range. Thanks for any and all help.

Rich
 

Dhadley

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Feb 4, 2001
Messages
16,978
Re: Fast prop for tunnel hull

I sure wish they still made the Turbo Lightning Jr, that would be an excellent prop to try. Lots of lift, they work real well on the small Hewes / Maverick tunnels. I know where one new one is bit it's hubbed for Yamaha. It can be rehubbed but not sure if you want to get into sending it to a prop shop etc.
 

Richpena

Recruit
Joined
Aug 4, 2009
Messages
4
Re: Fast prop for tunnel hull

Thanks for the response. I checked their website. It seems the lightning prop comes in different sizes. Do you think they just combined the line? What pitch would you suggest 17 or 19? Thanks again.
 

Richpena

Recruit
Joined
Aug 4, 2009
Messages
4
Re: Fast prop for tunnel hull

At the price they are selling i'm not sure if it would be worth getting a used one rehubbed.
 
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