Posts: 3518
Location: north central wisconsin | Greetings. I just bought the same motor and have been playing with propping for awhile now, and finally have it right. I traded a Merc 90 HP in for this motor and the dealer tried several props before settling on the like new SS that was on my old rig. This prop got me almost 40 MPH top end, but my hole shot was not the best. the prop is a 13.25X18 cupped Power Tech brand similar to a Vengeance. Oh, I run a Ranger 690 Tiller, so probably a bit heavier boat than yours..?..
That said, I was not able to get the rpms I desired either from the 18 pitch, as I only got 5300 RPM's which is not the best for a 4 stroke that should max at 6100. So... I ended up back at the drawing board trying more props. I finally orderred a semi cleavered SS from Power Tech(orderred from Precision Propellor in Brainerd, MN). The prop is nearly the same as the OEM prop for my rig, though slightly cupped. It is a 13.25 X16 and I just love it, am getting the hole shot i desire, and still getting 37.5 top end by myself.
I am not so sure that you will get 40 mph from your rig, but you'll need to go to a higher pitch if more speed is what you desire. Your hole shot will suffer a bit but I am sure you know that. Also, be sure that you can still get the rpm's you need. Not the best to top out at less than 5500 on that 4 stroke. Too much work for that motor if the case. Also worth mentioning is the fact that an aluminum 17 pitch will not perform as a ss in the same model. The aluminum will turn much easier, ie you'd need to go to a lower pitch to mainain the identical rpm's that you have on your aluminum, if you go to ss. Try a few props. Most dealers will let you try one, though you'll own it if you scratch it.
Lastly, I still have the 18 pitch SS that I tried to start with. I was going to keep it for a speed prop/spare, but it is just too heavy to keep along all the time. I'll probably sell it and get an aluminum 17 pitch for a spare. If you are at all interested in trying it, let me know. |
