Need advice

[rbezdon]

I have a 2003 Caravelle Intercepter 212SS with a MercCruiser 5.0MPI 260HP. I think the dry weight is around 3200lbs. I have been hitting the rev limiter at around 5300 to 5400 RPM. I an running the original MercCruiser 14 1/4x 21P aluminum prop and running with 4 adult men, moderate gear and a full tank. Speed is roughly 52MPH based on the boat speedo, not GPS. Hole shot is OK but not great and I am concerned if I go up to the 23P (should drop the 400 RPM I need) the hole shot will not be there with a full load. I was also considering going to a 14 3/4x21 Stainless. Increased diameter should drop the RPM by 100 and change to stainless about another 100. I think to go to a 23P stainless would be too much RPM drop. Any opinions?? If really pressed, top speed would be more important than hole shot as I can always go back to the 21P aluminum for full loads or towing, its just that i keep the boat is in the water and changing the prop is a slight pain.

 

[dellsboater]

Re: Need advice

Go with the 23P and add trim tabs for the hole shot. I have a Liberator 3000lbs, have a 22P prop, install Nautilus fixed trim tabs, cost 100.00 dollars. The bow stays low, plenty of speed, gained 2 Mph, hole shot is great. Just take your time putting them on, as they sent me a dvd, two sets of install instructions, all said different thing....had to use common sense to figure it all out.