Prop help

[jobofly]

Ok I have no clue how to buy a new prop for my boat. I want to get a piranha 4 blade composite. I don't know what pitch or diameter I need. I want to get on plane faster, I don't mind losing some top end speed

 

[blaster]

I want to get a piranha 4 blade composite.

Why? Composite propellers work best on an electric trolling motor, or as an inexpensive emergency backup prop that's light weight. If you put that prop on your boat I doubt you will be satisfied.

A good start would be to figure out what you have now and what your max rpm's are. If you want a stern lifting prop with better hole shot then consider a 4 blade aluminum.

To determine the best prop more information is required.

 

[Lazy Daze]

Before you go spending money on a prop... do you have trim tabs, and do you fully use them? Trim tabs will whip a prop's butt any day of the week. If you change props, you won't only lose top end, but you'll increase your RPM's (fuel economy and noise) at cruising speeds, too.

 

[jobofly]

i do have trim tabs but i need to replace the pump because they dont work. i am looking for quicker planing, my prop definitely needs to be replaced it is dinged up pretty good. i thought that 4 blade piranha props work well on larger boats?

 

[dvx216]

Ok I have no clue how to buy a new prop for my boat. I want to get a piranha 4 blade composite. I don't know what pitch or diameter I need. I want to get on plane faster, I don't mind losing some top end speed

my 1988 230 wk. with a 260 hp. mercruiser runs a aluminium 15x17 pitch 3 blade. Hole shot is good with out using trim tabs even better with them at wot she run at 40 mph. With 4 adults half a tank of fuel average amount of gear.

 

[jobofly]

my 1988 230 wk. with a 260 hp. mercruiser runs a aluminium 15x17 pitch 3 blade. Hole shot is good with out using trim tabs even better with them at wot she run at 40 mph. With 4 adults half a tank of fuel average amount of gear.

wow thats good to know, ive never pushed mine i think the fastest i took her to was 33mph. but i always felt like the prop on this boat wasnt right

 

[Phlorida]

i do have trim tabs but i need to replace the pump because they dont work. i am looking for quicker planing, my prop definitely needs to be replaced it is dinged up pretty good. i thought that 4 blade piranha props work well on larger boats?

You just made Dennis's point, you don't have trim tabs if they don't work. Get them working and then determine if you need more help getting on plane. If the boating you do has led to a banged up metal prop it is very unlikely that you will be happy with a composite prop.

 

[jobofly]

no i havent hit the prop on anything, i was dinged up when i bought the boat in the spring. this is my first year owning a boat so im still learning about what i need/want.

 

[dvx216]

It might be just me but getting up on plane takes some rpm it's normal for me to go wot at first to get the boat moving with outdrive trimmed all the way down of course this is when your wave and surrounding permits it. When the nose starts dropping I start backing out of the throttle then I start lift the outdrive trim. There are many ways to get up on plane this is only one way. If you don't mind the nose hanging up in the air for awhile you can just wait. Without outdrive trim and trim tabs it just takes longer and more fuel to plane out. Planing a boat set up correctly is still an art form and the bigger the boat the harder it is. I got to admit you are one of the first boat owner I've heard of that has never gone wot just to see what she will do.

 

[jobofly]

ha you know ive always been one to not push the limit with older boats/cars. now that im comfortable with it and am getting a new fuel pump and impeller installed along with a new prop i will see what she can do when i launch her next spring

 

[grayzone]

some results of mine from our old boat

 

[jobofly]

What was your old boat?

 

[grayzone]

1990 Grew Scorpion 230 350 merc-magna

had it for 20 years