What Prop do I need?

[aspeck]

Okay, it is time for a new prop - had a SS SST 3 blade 19 pitch. It has been beat up over the years and the last time the boat was in the water (very low water) the launch ramp ate a sizeable portion of each blade. It is time for a new one ...

Boat is a 1981 Skeeter SS-1, 16 footer with a 1988 Johnson 88SPL on the back. When the 19 had good blades it would push around 6,000 RPM.

Any suggestions for a new prop that will give me a good holeshot and nice top end without making me take out a mortgage on my house?

 

[WillyBWright]

Re: What Prop do I need?

19 aluminum or 21 stainless. I wouldn't be concerned about 6 grand on that motor. It has obviously survived it so far. You'll be getting over 90Hp out of it that way. I think you'd like a Raker stainless. You should also check for a bent shaft. Just give it a spin with the motor in neutral and ignition key in your pocket and look at the end of the shaft for wobble. Check the marine store right here for offerings. Prices are better than most anyplace I've seen.

 

[aspeck]

Re: What Prop do I need?

Ya, I would like to get it here or my local guy - only two places I would consider. I was wondering if I should go up or not. Definitely want to stay Stainless. Was just wondering what size and type - 3 or 4 blade ... etc. I am only getting about 42MPH now - but prop is really beat. When new I could only get about 46. Thought I should get more, but when I went to anything other than a 19 it would be slow out of the hole and really plow water on end till I moved forward ... not good to be moving forward in a bass boat while under power! That is why I went with a 19.

That brings up another question, should I then get smart tabs, or trim tabs along with a new prop?

 

[WillyBWright]

Re: What Prop do I need?

I've never heard of a situation where tabs did not help. You just need to have a decent surface to mount them to. See what your local guy has available used. If your guy is a prop rebuilder, they usually have a few for sale. He might even tweak it special for you. If you decide to go with the 21 for a tad more speed, get a ventilated one for holeshot. You can even get a lower pitch repitched steeper and have better holeshot than the same pitch made that way from the start. Say you have a 19 repitched to 20. It would have better holeshot than one that started as a 20. SS can be repitched an inch either way. Alums can be repitched by two. I'd stick with a 3-blade on a crossflow V-4.

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