Prop Question

banchigu

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Jan 9, 2006
Messages
49
I have a 16.5 Aluminum Bass Tracker 1983 model and I recently put a Evinrude 50 HP engine on it, a 1974 big lower unit one (Model 50ESL74M). It had a Solas 2411-13.5-15 prop and it was not really doing much with a top speed of 25mph with a tail wind. Today a buddy gave me a stainless 13x19 prop and it did much better and it actually hit 28 mph for a second and held steady at 27 mph on a windless bank with just me on it.

It this good, average, or would a 17 or 18 pitch prop do better?

A million thanks in advance.
 

alldodge

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Mar 8, 2009
Messages
42,622
I have a 16.5 Aluminum Bass Tracker 1983 model and I recently put a Evinrude 50 HP engine on it, a 1974 big lower unit one (Model 50ESL74M). It had a Solas 2411-13.5-15 prop and it was not really doing much with a top speed of 25mph with a tail wind. Today a buddy gave me a stainless 13x19 prop and it did much better and it actually hit 28 mph for a second and held steady at 27 mph on a windless bank with just me on it.

It this good, average, or would a 17 or 18 pitch prop do better?

A million thanks in advance.

We would need to know what rpm are you reaching
 

steelespike

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Apr 26, 2002
Messages
19,069
You need to fit a prop that lets the motor operate within its wot (wide open throttle) rpm range.4500-5500.
Needs to be propped close to the max.for best all around performance.
To low or to high wot rpm will cause poor performance
and premature motor problems.You need a working tach and a gps for speed.An induction tach will work if properly installed.
Throwing on props is like russian roulette with a bullet in every chamber.
Not sure what your gear ratio is but it is possible the 19 is right.
We need to know your ratio. Pull the plugs and rotate the motor by hand count the motor revolutions for one prop rotation.
 

banchigu

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Jan 9, 2006
Messages
49
Wow, I learned so much from you two (no sarchasm there) I am off to get a tach. And check the prop rotation...
 
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