Need help selecting Pontoon prop.

spingley

Seaman
Joined
Jun 17, 2009
Messages
58
I have a 24" pontoon that does not have the original motor, someone replaced it and it came with a standard 3 blade prop. Well the prop is slipping so it's time to replace it with a prop designed for pontoons, I'm not concerned that I get the most dialed in, perfectly matched prop that can be had, I would like to get something that would be pretty close to ideal as can be figured out with my limited information. Also I plan to order one from this website so I cannot swap out different props and such. Below is what information I have, so I hope someone can help me out.


1992 24" Party Barge
8' wide by 24' long, with 21" logs, I could not find any onfo on the weight, but a sticker says "Limit 2300lbs people, gear, motor.
Maximum recommended HP for boat is 115HP
Normally at least 6 people and lots of gear with 20 gal. of gas.
Motor is a 1986 Johnson 90HP VRO OB, model #J90MLCDC
Gear ratio is about 2 to 1
No hydrofoil or trim tabs, etc.
Anti-ventilation plate is about 9" below water line on logs.
The current prop is 13.25 X 17 3 blade but I suspect it is from different boat.
I believe WOT is 5500RPM from what I have read.
I never had a chance to see what the maximum speed would be with the prop that is on it now.
Elevation in Indiana is around 700 feet.
Motor has been tuned and runs very strong, carb butterflys open 100%.

Hope this enough info...

Thanks!!!
 

spingley

Seaman
Joined
Jun 17, 2009
Messages
58
Re: Need help selecting Pontoon prop.

In case anybody cares, I have been looking around and am thinking of going with a Solas 4-blade 13.25 X 13.
 

Silvertip

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Sep 22, 2003
Messages
28,771
Re: Need help selecting Pontoon prop.

you've given a great deal of information about the boat but the one single piece of information that would help making a purchase is WOT rpm. You posted that WOT is 5000 rpm (from what you've read). We know what that number is SUPPOSED to be. We need to know what it ACTUALLY is with the current prop. In other words the engine manufacturer wants that engine to run at 5000 rpm (actually closer to 5500 is better) at wide open throttle with what you consider an average load. So your task is to make some test runs and note the WOT throttle rpm you actually see on the tach. If you don't have one, then we can't help unless someone has the exact same boat, exact same engine, and operates it in the exact same manner you do with the exact same load.
 

trendsetter240

Lieutenant
Joined
Jun 22, 2009
Messages
1,458
Re: Need help selecting Pontoon prop.

In case anybody cares, I have been looking around and am thinking of going with a Solas 4-blade 13.25 X 13.

That sounds like about right for your setup but would be guessing without current WOT numbers with your current prop. There have been a few guys on here looking for props with similar setups to yours and found success with the 4 blade solas 13p.


As mentioned, do a WOT run to find out what RPMs you get with your current prop to avoid buying a prop that isn`t right for your setup.
 
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