Posts: 3511
Location: Elk River, Minnesota | Hiya,
I believe Steve Worrall is gonna be close right on this one. If you got 48mph out of the rig with 2 people in it, I think you are going to be pretty close if you take the 2nd passenger out, but leave the TM and the batteries in.
Now...in terms of correct prop, I would not be so sure of going to the same dimension. If you change to stainless (which I would recommend for a motor of your size) you will see about a 200 RPM reduction due to less blade flexing in the water. A steel 23 pitch prop will truly run at 23 pitch whereas a 23 pitch aluminum will run more along the lines of 22 to 21 (both due to flexing and lack of cupping in many cases) I would think for fishing purposes the 13.5 x 23 would be pretty darn close to optimum, unless you can raise the motor on the transom. If you can raise the motor 2 bolt holes and get a somewhat aggressively cupped prop, you might be able to keep the 14 inch diameter. Many props of this size are also vented, which will help hole shot as well.
In your case where you will be pulling tubes, skiers, etc. I am wondering if a 21 pitch 4 blade prop would do well. You might lose a little bit on top end, but your hole shot would be instantaneous, and you could lift that motor up to the top hole on off the transom and still get great bite on the water (assuming good tip cupping)
Depending on how much you are fishing vs tubing, etc, the suggestion of 2 props might not be a bad way to go either. If it is about equal time doing both, I would suggest a good 4 blade for overall performance and handling.
Steve
|
