Had my "New to me - Used boat" out twice now. Here's what I've got so far:
14x19 pitch 4 blade, cupped VenSura.
1.84R gear ratio on Alpha 1
41 mph @ 4400 rpm's (trimmed up) - one person and half tank of gas.
This is using dash info and GPS.
Thinking that I should get some more speed out of this setup (most similar boats are getting around 45 or better). Shows great power in pulling skiers but the bow rides high on take-off, boat takes it's time to plane and it's sorta slow outta the hole. The power is there for skiing but hopeful to improve the take-off / hole shot?
It does want to cav when trimmed up high at WOT, so I've gotten best results by backing off the trim a bit to get these results. I've gotten it up to 4500 rpm's but it was cav'ing and squirly and lost some speed.
Prop seems in fairly good condition, very few and very small pits or dings. So 'fairly' new condition prop, not perfect.
I'm not a speed freak but I do barefoot waterski and have a need for that extra 2-3 mph. With this setup, I'm only getting 37 mph with 2 people in the boat and me skiing on back. Not quit fast enough for barefoot.
SO - Would changing prop help my top end speed? And which direction to go? Those RPM's are already on the low end (4400-4800 recommended)
Thanks in advance!
zul in AZ
14x19 pitch 4 blade, cupped VenSura.
1.84R gear ratio on Alpha 1
41 mph @ 4400 rpm's (trimmed up) - one person and half tank of gas.
This is using dash info and GPS.
Thinking that I should get some more speed out of this setup (most similar boats are getting around 45 or better). Shows great power in pulling skiers but the bow rides high on take-off, boat takes it's time to plane and it's sorta slow outta the hole. The power is there for skiing but hopeful to improve the take-off / hole shot?
It does want to cav when trimmed up high at WOT, so I've gotten best results by backing off the trim a bit to get these results. I've gotten it up to 4500 rpm's but it was cav'ing and squirly and lost some speed.
Prop seems in fairly good condition, very few and very small pits or dings. So 'fairly' new condition prop, not perfect.
I'm not a speed freak but I do barefoot waterski and have a need for that extra 2-3 mph. With this setup, I'm only getting 37 mph with 2 people in the boat and me skiing on back. Not quit fast enough for barefoot.
SO - Would changing prop help my top end speed? And which direction to go? Those RPM's are already on the low end (4400-4800 recommended)
Thanks in advance!
zul in AZ