Posts: 3508
Location: Elk River, Minnesota | Hi Denny,
With a steel prop, I would bet you can raise that motor at least one more hole and it will still grab the water well.
If you decided to try a few other props, mercury's Tempest series gets great reviews. It has the capability to lift the entire boat due to it's design with trailing edge cupping (stern lift) and tip cupping (bow lift) with a decent amount of Rake as well. This is a 3-blade prop, so if you try one, I would bet you could go up an inch or so in pitch due to one less blade creating more friction. I would bet you might not see much difference in handling either.
Definitely room to work, though since your max RPM's on the motor is 6000 and you are at 5800. Might slow your hole-shot just a bit, but the prop is also vented, so it will wind up a bit before it jumps out of the hole.
The main issue with any prop change is to try a few different ones and spend some time at the lake testing hole shot, handling and speed. One will stick out among the others. It would not surprise me that if you decided to go through this process that you will see another 3 - 4mph and not lose much of anything in terms of handling. It can be a fun process.
Not sure if you will feel the actual bow rise any more...but the boat will ride higher.
Steve |
