Pontoon Prop ideas

[00247]

A new summer and I want to continue dialing in the prop on my 24' Playcraft tritoon I bought used last year. It has a 135 Honda and came with a 14 3/4" x 16 ss prop. First run was 22 mph @ 5200 rpm. There was some crud and after a thorough cleaning the speed came up to 26 mph @ 5200 rpm. So here are the results of trial and error, all speeds are by gps and equivalent conditions and optimal trim:

14 3/4 x 16 stainless = 26 mph @ 5200
15 x 15 aluminum = 28 mph @ 5100
15.5 x 13 aluminum = 28 mph @ 5300

The 15 x 13 is the best all around preforming prop. It has a great hole shot and mid range but I was disappointed the speed did not increase. My fuel consumption was greatly reduced. I can screw around pulling a tube with much less throttle. All in all I am happy but I can't keep wondering if there is more top speed. Would it be worth getting a 15.5 x 11? On paper, less pitch at a faster speed is a wash, but in the water will it give more speed? I am afraid only more HP will. What do you think?

 

[steelespike]

Re: Pontoon Prop ideas

Looked up some similar tests with 130 hp Etecs 13" Crest 23ft triple 31.7 @5650,Voyager Triple crown 22 17" ss 33 @ 5590,
24 Osprey pro 23 al 13" 29@ 5700. The Etec has a 2.00 ratio.
Maybe if you show it to you're Honda Dealer He'll try harder.
Your rpm is low near the bottom of the rating Yet based on the 2.14 ratio the motor should be able to turn it. I'm not even sure your reaching the rpm for the rated hp.
I think you need to look elsewhere for more speed. Be sure the throttle opens all the way.
Be sure the motor is in excellent tune.Try moving around or eliminating weight.
Be sure there is no water in the tubes.Be sure nothing is dragging in the water.
Try raising or lowering the motor.Try these things one at a time.