Higher pitch prop and Smart Tabs?

[tonyjh63]

Well, wasn't sure whether to post this here, or in the prop thread, but here's my situation. I have a '93 Glastron SSV 195 Elite, with a 4.3 and a 16 in prop. With that size prop, the boat gets a great hole shot, and pulls skiers/tubers very well, but I'd like to increase my top end and fuel efficiency a bit. So, I was thinking of getting a 19-21 in prop and getting a set of Smart Tabs to try to regain some of the holeshot I'll be losing. Does sound about right to y'all? Thanks for any input!

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Higher pitch prop and Smart Tabs?

your prop pitch is determined by your WOT rpm's if your current wot is right then you don't have the hp to pull any more pitch

fill out the info from the top of the prop forum

 

[steelespike]

Re: Higher pitch prop and Smart Tabs?

What is your present lightly loaded wot rpm and gps speed?
Are you skiing with 6 people and your overweight Mastiff?

 

[jestor68]

Re: Higher pitch prop and Smart Tabs?

I bet it has a nice hole shot, since you should be running a 19 or 20 pitch prop.

The best compromise is to prop it to run 4800 rpm with a light load, so that you'll still be able to do water sports.

Better to have someone sit in the front of the boat than bother with trim tabs in order to get on plane faster.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Higher pitch prop and Smart Tabs?

Better to have someone sit in the front of the boat than bother with trim tabs in order to get on plane faster.

Strongly disagree.... From all accounts smart tabs are the best thing since sliced bread for just what he wants and more.

 

[jestor68]

Re: Higher pitch prop and Smart Tabs?

Strongly disagree.... From all accounts smart tabs are the best thing since sliced bread for just what he wants and more.

Not basing my opinion on "all accounts".

It is a fact that having someone sit in the front seat of a bow rider will shift the center of gravity forward and get the boat on plane very quickly.


FYI; a Doel Fin will cut your time to plane in half without having to drill 36(?) holes in the transom; based on personal experience.

 

[fishrdan]

Re: Higher pitch prop and Smart Tabs?

Agree with the others, what are your current numbers, WOT RPM, MPH, etc?

Try a 4 blade prop, like an Alpha4 or Solas Amita 4. I put an Alpha4 on my boat and hole shot is great, compared to the old Michigan Wheel 3-blade. I wanted to put smart tabs on my boat, but couldn't due to all the "fishing stuff" hanging of the transom, the 4-blade prop solved my problems. A 4 blade might shave a few MPH off the top end, but I think it's a good trade-off. (I say "might" as this isn't always the case, I picked up MPH with the 4-blade prop since my old 3 blade was such a poor match for the boat.)

I haven't heard anyone complain about adding Smart Tabs, only positive comments.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Higher pitch prop and Smart Tabs?

Not basing my opinion on "all accounts".

It is a fact that having someone sit in the front seat of a bow rider will shift the center of gravity forward and get the boat on plane very quickly.


FYI; a Doel Fin will cut your time to plane in half without having to drill 36(?) holes in the transom; based on personal experience.

LOL sure weight in the front helps but saying "honey sit up front to put weight in the bow" could hurt WAY more than drilling a few holes..... Sealed right, a couple thousand holes wouldn't hurt a thing... My current boat has tabs and no leaks, no problems... most of my past boats had em too ... They work great.

Doel fins can do good things sometimes but aren't even comparable to tabs.

BTW I have a pile of doel fins I've removed from my boats... I can't GIVE em away

 

[V153]

Re: Higher pitch prop and Smart Tabs?

What is your present lightly loaded wot rpm and gps speed?
Are you skiing with 6 people and your overweight Mastiff?

Yup. Got any #s?

 

[V153]

Re: Higher pitch prop and Smart Tabs?

I would assume that Glastron SSV hull would run low 50s with a 4.3. Propped right with a light load.