Prop selection

[Clifford kImmel]

Could someone tell me the best prop to buy for a 15 1/5 ft Bayliner Capri with a 40 Hp Force outboard? I need the best hole-shot I can get for skiing. Thank you.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Prop selection

From the information you gave us -- not a chance, only a guess. It would be nice to know what prop you have now (diameter and pitch), and what the maximum engine rpm and speed is at wide open throttle. For all you know you may already have the best prop. If you wonder why that's important, read this:

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=158083

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: Prop selection

For skiing, a 40 on a 15 foot boat is going to be marginal at best--no matter what prop you put on. You will be able to get light people out of the water on 2 skis but don't ask that engine to pull out a 200 pounder. Aint gunna happen. Sorry to disappoint you. You will be alright for tubing though and possibly wakeboarding because of the larger area of the board and the slower speed needed.

 

[Clifford kImmel]

Re: Prop selection

Thank you for the information. I have to make a few corrections to my previous question. This is a 1988 Bayliner Capri, 15 foot boat with a 50 hp Force outboard. This boat does not have a prop on it, and I'm not sure what pitch and diameter to install. Maximum rotation at wide open is 5500 rpm. This site lists props from 8" to 17" of pitch. If someone out there has any info on what the original prop specs were, or your best guess, please let me know diameter and pitch. Thank you.

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: Prop selection

The original prop was probably something like 10 inch diameter (or 10 3/8 or 10 1/2) by about 12 inch pitch. Look in the catalogs and here on iboats. Props are listed by horsepower range and engine make and model year. Depending on the year of your Force, prop could be a little different but you still should be able to get a Michigan for it.

And what i posted before is still true: even with a 50, water skiing will be marginal. But if your intent is for primarily skiing, go with a lower pitch prop in the offered range--ie. If they offer 11,12, and 13 pitch, go with an 11 or 12.

 

[Clifford kImmel]

Re: Prop selection

Hello. This site shows an 8" - 17" prop. Would an 8" or 10" pitch be better than a 12" for skiing? Thanks again for your help.

 

[XcellR8]

Re: Prop selection

The first number (8) is the diameter. The second (17) is the pitch. Going down in pitch is similiar to gearing down so that's the way you want to go for skiing etc. Changing from a 8x17" to a 8x15" will increase WOT rpms by 300-400 rpm. As others have said the bad news is a 50 hp motor is normally not powerful enough for skiing but depending on the boat will work for tubing.