Dan Wilson
Member
- Joined
- Feb 13, 2024
- Messages
- 21
- Reaction score
- 2
Ok, ran the 4 blade 15 pitch and it is a no-go. It redlined and hit 5800 rpm (redline is 5750) at 33mph. But, WOW, what a hole shot! I think I could pull Jellyroll up on a slolom ski.
So the prop guy has suggested going to a 3 blade 14" diameter 17 pitch Solas stainless, double-cupped. He refunds the 15 pitch aluminum and the SS prop is $460. If I go with the Mercury Vengeance 3 blade, 13" diameter, 18 pitch, I pay $600 with no refund on the aluminum.
So, I think what I am going to do is go with the 17 pitch, 14" diameter Solas. It is double cupped, which should help with the ventilation I'm getting when trimmed out or turning while trimmed. I also think the fact it digs an additional 1/2" into the water will also help with the ventilation. If I cure the ventilation, I get the bow up, and that gets me a little more rpm and top end.
So here is my prediction....42mph top end (a gain of 3mph over the 19 pitch aluminum I started with) at 5600rpm. If I can get the bow up more due to reduced ventilation, I might be able to coax 5700rpm and 43mph out of it. Fingers crossed!
Btw, all of this is with 450lbs of people (including me) and gear and a full load of fuel. I have a 24v trolling motor, so there are two batteries in the floor as opposed to the standard 1 for this boat. That contributes to it being a little front heavy, in my opinion. I think it will also have a very similar hole shot to the 15 pitch.
For the record, I don't feel that 4 blades did anything at all for me compared with the 3 blade. I think the double cupping on the SS prop will do more for me than the 4th blade did, as far as reducing ventilation and giving me the ability to get the bow up more. It certainly won't do any worse. I felt no difference at all with the 4 blade. It ventilated just the same and I couldn't trim any higher.
