Looking for a good all around prop.

[jimmydean_71]

'87 Marlin Aries 20' with a Mercury Black Max 200hp.

The current prop is a 13 1/2 x 26 and my max RPM @WOT is only 4800. I got a stainless 21 when I purchased the boat, but I'd rather not run a stainless in the channel. So what is a good aluminum pitch for mid range WOT (5300-5800 specs)? Mercury website was talking 14 x 23 Spitfire 4 blade.

I was doing 45+ @ 4800 RPM and I'm not too worried about top speed, just looking to get the motor into the proper range. Thanks for info.

 

[Barnacle_Bill]

Re: Looking for a good all around prop.

Why don't you want to run the stainless?

 

[jestor68]

Re: Looking for a good all around prop.

Actually, a 21/22 pitch sounds about right to get your rpm up near the upper portion of the range.

You should test the 21 and adjust from there, if needed.

Be careful using Merc selector recommendation if your motor is not brand new. Their prop recommendations are based on the assumption that the motor is new(as in that's the best it'll ever run).

 

[Mi duckdown]

Re: Looking for a good all around prop.

Put your ss on, and see what GPS speed, and Rpm's you get. GOT to start somewhere. Throwing money away hurts the wallet. ???

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Looking for a good all around prop.

Run a 21 or 23P Turning point Hustler prop. They are pretty high performance for an aluminum prop. Stick with 3 blades, as that is a speed boat, and 4 blades on it would be an embarrassment.

 

[jimmydean_71]

Re: Looking for a good all around prop.

Awesome, thanks for the suggestion. It takes a bit much to get up on plane, but once it does, it scoots. I'd like to find something quicker off the line, I'll take a look at the Hustler.

 

[jimmydean_71]

Re: Looking for a good all around prop.

Turns out my neighbor had a Mercury 21 he never installed in his garage, so I will swap it out this week. Unfortunately the weather isn't looking good for a while, but it gives me time to take care of other things.

 

[jimmydean_71]

So I finally got the 21P installed and in the water. The RPM were at 5000-5200 with a GPS top speed of 50MPH. I think I'll score one of those Hustler props in a 21 or so and see what it does. I also installed a bilge pump and for the first time I didn't take on a lick of water. :lol:

 

[steelespike]

When running those speeds be sure to wear a pfd and a kill lanyard.
Check bassboat accident on Utube.

 

[jimmydean_71]

Agreed. I was only doing it in short runs in the channel with nobody around. Having only had it out 4 times now, I am still getting used to it. But I did get a great feel for it hitting some 4-5' swells on the Columbia coming back. She responds very well in the water, but being so low, I'm not a fan of the bigger rollers. But unlike last trip out, I didn't take on any water but it's nice to know I am better prepared now.

I was a master helmsman in the Navy and went through Navy small boat school a long time ago. This is my fist boat, but I'm not entirely a novice at least.

 

[jimmydean_71]

Ok, I sucked it up and put the stainless on. Wow, what a difference in acceleration. I was getting 5200 RPM and 55mph on GPS. One the way back from Blues Festival, I got smoked by a 16' old schooler running a new 175HP 4 stroke outboard. He said he is running 5000RPM and hit 62mph on his GPS when he passed me. He was running a 19 stainless. It was a damn good day on the river.

I think I will stick with the stainless for now. I was real happy with how fast she gets out of the water.

 

[dazk14]

If you haven't already, time to raise the motor. If the prop can hold, it'll likely improve everything, including more margin from underwater obstacles.

I don't know the specific prop, but eventually if you can get it high enough, water pressure must be verified.

 

[jimmydean_71]

I have a jack plate installed, but it seems to work best all the way down. Maybe the motor is mounted too high on the jack plate? I haven't done a ton of testing at different speeds at different heights, but it seems I get the most top speed with it down all the way (getting almost all of the boat out of the water, too).