Recomendations on Prop Pitches

[Will Liston]

Hey folks,
Just had a quick question about prop pitches. I'm currently doing a full restoration on a 1969 17.5ft Glastron V-176 Tri-Hull with a 1980 2stroke 80HP 4cyl Mercury Outboard. I got the boat an it was a frankenstein of parts. It seems like everything is pieced together from other boats. Anyway the engine is not original to the boat and I believe the prop to be over pitched and not designed for the boat.

Does anyone have any recommendations on a proper pitch I should look for in a prop. I plan to do most of my boating in rivers and the Delaware Bay on calm days. The bay does have some tidal currents that I would have to deal with. I have no intentions on pulling water skiers but I might pull a tube occasionally. I am looking for something that can get my boat on a plane and maintain it well.

Thanks,
Will

 

[jestor68]

Re: Recomendations on Prop Pitches

It looks like that Merc is rated to run 4800-5200 rpm at WOT.

So you simply prop it so that it operates within that rpm range. I would start with a 15" pitch and see what it does.

 

[Will Liston]

Re: Recomendations on Prop Pitches

Thanks, I was thinking in the 14 or 15 range. Hopefully that pitch works well.

 

[Texasmark]

Re: Recomendations on Prop Pitches

They have the Hustler on this site for about $85 and free shipping right now. I just looked one up for another guy a day or two ago. Can't beat a deal like that and Hustler has a lot of amenities. If you overrev with the 15 and don't use water toys and lots of folks in the boat, the 13( ) x 17 should do you. Not a lot of cash outlay to get what works and you will have a spare. Need rpms for your 15 if you go with that at WOT and NORMAL load. Then you will know if you are ok or under propped.

Just roll up to the top of this page, get on props, call it up, put in your engine info, 15p and punch the go button. When you get the list, look at Hustler. Click on the picture of the prop and on the page look at specs and all and see what you get for $85.

Mark

 

[Sea Rider]

Re: Recomendations on Prop Pitches

Before you buy a new prop, have you tried the current one to believe you're over pitched, if not, go for a wot spin with lightly loaded boat and check max achieved rpm, compare them against min-max factory stated wot parameters to know for sure if under or over pitched. From there you could pick the best pitch that optimum matches your cuurrent boating aplication.

Happy Boating