Opinions on prop selection

[AboveOurRaising]

I am thinking about swapping props and keep the one I have as a backup. Like a lot of other folks, having a difficult time deciding on which of two options to go with, so thought I would throw out the details and ask for opinions from those who have actually changed props.

I currently have 2000 22' Bennington pontoon with a 50hp Johnson, 2-stroke. The prop is what came standard, a 12 1/4 X 15. I can get right around 15mph on the GPS at WOT, with what I consider a light load of two adults and maybe 100-150pounds of gear. Maximum rpm range is 5500 on this engine, and I am turning right around 5600 at WOT. I have not put markings on the prop, but I think I might be getting a little spin at times.

I would like to get a little more speed out of it if possible. My uses probably 90% of the time would be just the two of us, cruising around the lake. It would be nice to get to the other side of the lake a little faster if we wanted too, for fishing or a storm coming up.

The other 10% of the time, I would probably have 4 and no more than 6 adults on board. I have bought a one person towable, so may use that sometimes when there are more than just the two of us, as we don't have an interest in that ourselves, more for our grown kids. There are no plans to pull a wake board or skiers behind the boat either.

In using the prop selection tools, it shows 14x11 for speed, and 14x13 for watersports, with light loads. If I bump the load up to anywhere from 4-8 people, it recommends a 14x13 for speed, and is not recommending the 14x11.

So I think a 14x13 is probably the best all-around prop, based on their recomendations. The current prop is aluminum, and I plan on going to SS as the lake I am in, has deep shore lines and just not a lot of obstructions, from what I have seen so far.

So my choice is to go for a 14x13 in SS, not really knowing how it will effect RPM changing pitch since the prop size would be also larger, or just stick with the current size of 12 1/4 x15, and go SS, hoping to get another couple MPH at best and hopefuly better gas consumption.

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Thanks,

David

 

[steelespike]

Re: Opinions on prop selection

Not an expert but it appears the 15' pitch is about right. Without an expert reccomendation I would go with the stainless in the same pitch.
speed seems a little slow but with a toon its pretty hard to know
a typical max speed.I think you may have a little venting problem usually a spun hub is just plain spun.It seems to me that 18 might be possible but again
a pontoon has so many variables.Carefull trim and weight distribution.Don't expect much if you get 1 mph be really pleased.The stainless may allow you to raise the motor vertically a little,might give you a little again don't expect much.Our 18ft with a 50 Evinrude seems to do best with it trimmed in all the way.But again the variables. Best toon cruising mileage is about 6 to 9 mph.
And some toons do better than a runabout at the same speed.