proping problem

[Rancherlee]

Stats<br />16 foot Aluminum Lund V-hull side steer rated for 75hp max, full flat plywood floor and 1 livewell.<br />79' 55hp Johnson (Twin cylinder) outboard rated 55hp @ 5500 rpm<br />600# worth of people, batteries, and fuel tanks.<br /><br />First off I ran the stock OMC 11.75 X 17 prop in some rocks so I needed a new prop. With the OMC prop the Boat would plain fairly easy and hit 30-31mph on GPS. I ordered up a 11.75 X 17 Hustler (new style) and put it on the boat. Took it out yesterday and it REALLY struggles to brake plain and once it does it only runs 22-23mph and the engine definatly seems to be lugging more. I picked up a Tach today, installed it, and put it in the lake again to try it out. While trying to plain out It runs about 4000rpm and once on top climbs to about 4800rpm and thats it. <br /><br />Is the Hustler so much more agressive that its lugging the motor that bad ???(even with out the tach I notice with the OMC prop the engine reved quite a bit higher)<br /><br />If the engine is rated at 5500rpm (4500-5500 range) should I shoot for 5500-5800rpm?<br /><br />Which wheel should I try next, the 12x15 or should I go straight for the 12.25x13. I really wish I could toss the OMC back on there to see what it tachs at but the fin is bent and it vibrates a little bit (still pushed the boat at 26mph GPS back to the dock after I dinged it)

 

[Silvertip]

Re: proping problem

That combo should be really happy with 12-1/4x15 prop. I had a similar boat and engine and it ran 5800 and popped on plane nicely. 13P will likely over-rev the engine. If we weren't on opposite ends of the state I have a 12-1/4x15 aluminum as well as a Rapture 13P stainless with about two hours of run time on it that you could try.

 

[Rancherlee]

Re: proping problem

Order up a 12 1/4 x 15 Hustler wheel to try out. Nice to see Iboats carring the new version now as the local marine store wanted 92$ + tax for just the wheel and the local discount store doesn't carry the 12" wheels.