FM165 with 12 Pitch

[nam6869usmc]

Well, tried my new Quicksilver 12P prop on my boat yesterday, 4 people total weight app. 700#, 15 gal fuel with big cooler, tackle box, etc,etc,,,,, Findings are, the 50hp got us up on plane pretty good & top speed(GPS) was 29/30mph @ 5400rpm, a 400 rpm gain over my old 14 P prop. Funny thing was, I sent my Son out by him self the get some feed back, he was shocked when could only top out at 30mph no difference. One thing was good that it cruised very very nice @20mph up on plane with all 4 people. Had a ball, caught no stripers but the weather was great here in Pa.
I have a 30mph boat, I have no problem with that...

 

[Tiggyboot]

Re: FM165 with 12 Pitch

I'm suprised it isn't reving out more then that. But with 4 people I would understand. Strange that it didn't improve much with only one rider in the boat. Was the motor trimmed right up? What were the conditions like? was it choppy or windy? With the same prop on my 60hp, I'm getting just about 34mph @ 6200 rpm. That's with two adults, full tank of fuel and gear. I'm quite pleased with that. I could try a 13P, but that would compromise the holeshot too much.

Marcel

 

[nam6869usmc]

Re: FM165 with 12 Pitch

I'm suprised it isn't reving out more then that. But with 4 people I would understand. Strange that it didn't improve much with only one rider in the boat. Was the motor trimmed right up? What were the conditions like? was it choppy or windy? With the same prop on my 60hp, I'm getting just about 34mph @ 6200 rpm. That's with two adults, full tank of fuel and gear. I'm quite pleased with that. I could try a 13P, but that would compromise the holeshot too much.

Marcel

Conditions were great, flat water no wind, and my Son trimmed it every way he could. I'm alright with 30 @5400, it did get all 4 of us out on plane pretty quick. My wife looked at me with that shock expression when we were only @20mph, she's a Sissy, so 30 is fine.

 

[Tiggyboot]

Re: FM165 with 12 Pitch

30 with 4 in the boat is really good. Can't complain there. I find speed to be sort of pointless. Especially when you are in a lake that you don't know. Rather take my time and not hit any rocks then be able to rip down the lake lol.

 

[gjblanchard]

Re: FM165 with 12 Pitch

I've had similar experiences with props on my FM165 that is equipped with a 50 HP 2-stroke. I run a 10.5 x 13P prop on mine and get 29 mph at 5400 rpm. With a 14P prop I actually got up to 31 mph at about 5250 rpm BUT with the 14P prop I would get a lot of breakout in turns. With the 13P prop I eliminated the breakout problem and am quicker to get on plane. So, best cornering and hole shot performance doesn't mean highest top speed. I'll live with the slight loss of speed if it means better handling. Besides, this is a fishing boat and I really don't care if I'm going 28 or 32 mph at top speed because most of my timeis spent running the trolling motor and flailing the water.

Cheers, Gary

 

[nam6869usmc]

Re: FM165 with 12 Pitch

I've had similar experiences with props on my FM165 that is equipped with a 50 HP 2-stroke. I run a 10.5 x 13P prop on mine and get 29 mph at 5400 rpm. With a 14P prop I actually got up to 31 mph at about 5250 rpm BUT with the 14P prop I would get a lot of breakout in turns. With the 13P prop I eliminated the breakout problem and am quicker to get on plane. So, best cornering and hole shot performance doesn't mean highest top speed. I'll live with the slight loss of speed if it means better handling. Besides, this is a fishing boat and I really don't care if I'm going 28 or 32 mph at top speed because most of my timeis spent running the trolling motor and flailing the water.

Cheers, Gary

Agreed Gary,,, I also got a lot of breakout in turns with my 14P, with the
12P I pretty well think it's eliminated. *** 30mph is fine, we were cruising around 20 most of the time anyway, plus, 95% of the time we were fishing anyway. "Pure Fishing Machine"
Dealer is installing my new Minn Kota Fortrex 80# 24V with Sonar today, hope it's done today.

 

[Tiggyboot]

Re: FM165 with 12 Pitch

I agree with both you guys. I look at it this way. My new boat sure beats my old 12' aluminum with a 9.8 on it lol.

 

[gjblanchard]

Re: FM165 with 12 Pitch

I agree with both you guys. I look at it this way. My new boat sure beats my old 12' aluminum with a 9.8 on it lol.

You can say that again! My old boat was a grumman sport canoe with a 6 hp johnson on it. After a day in that boat I would literally have to crawl out onto the dock on all fours and find a post to pull myself up. When I got this Lowe FM165, I couldn't believe the difference - fishing was not only fun but now it's really comfortable. Couldn't be happier!

Cheers, Gary