Prop Choice

[aazeng]

Hi all, I was hoping that someone could recomend the best suited prop for my 1985 model, 23 weekender running 5.7L 260hp.
Max WOT is just on 4000 rpm.
Out fishing here in Australia, my 5 blader 14 dia x 17" pitch, did not seem to be the right prop in seas bigger than 3 metres. The boat struggled to climb the hills. In seas of 1 metre the prop worked really well. Top Speed at approx 33 mph

Best suited all rounder would be preffered.

 

[STIHLBOLTS]

Welcome to the board aazeng. :grin: I don't have a answer for your question but I am sure one of the other members might be able to give you a little help. :thumbsup:

 

[Searay Jim]

I would agree, from what you've said, that is too much prop.

If you stay with a 4 blade like that one, I think you'd need to go way down in pitch, if that's possible. Or try a 3 blade and see how that changes things.

Right now, you're over-propped by 600-800 RPM which is in the range of 3-4" in pitch, or much less blade surface.

 

[widowmaker]

I'm not sure I'd want to be in a 23 footer in 3 meter (9.84ft) seas. But hey it may an Aussie thing.

 

[aazeng]

I'm not sure I'd want to be in a 23 footer in 3 meter (9.84ft) seas. But hey it may an Aussie thing.

First thing early in the morning the seas are less than 1 metre.
We normally go out at first light out to the continetal shelf marlin fishing about 15 miles out. The boat here in Australia is very rare. It gives all the Aussie boat a run for the money for its size. It is a very dry boat and handles the chop extremely well. this season we caught 3 marlin for the 1 week trip. the boat fully loaded with 4 men and a fish in the boat just strugles with a swell in front of me.