Hey guys i am in need of some prop advice. I have a 79 25 foot cruisers inc gran bateau. Single 305 mercruiser and an alpha drive (I believe 1.5ish gear reduced). Boat runs 35mph gps at 4200rpm right now.
Currently we have a three blade prop 16" diameter 15 pitch. I found an "AX16" as well as a 15p cast in the hub.
What I am looking to do is put a prop with less pitch on the boat to increase our rpm while trolling for salmon on the great Lakes. I'm looking for more speed control and better oiling and charging by having a higher rpm. We are pulling trolling bags now to slow down to fishing speeds about 2 to 3mph. But at times depending on wind or currents we struggle to get slow enough. I would definitely keep using the bags with a new prop as well.
What effect would dropping down to say a 13 or 14 pitch 16" diamond 3 blade have on the boat? I don't mind losing some top end speed as we don't launch far from the lake. The boat planes off around 22/23mph right now and I typically cruise around 27.
Currently we have a three blade prop 16" diameter 15 pitch. I found an "AX16" as well as a 15p cast in the hub.
What I am looking to do is put a prop with less pitch on the boat to increase our rpm while trolling for salmon on the great Lakes. I'm looking for more speed control and better oiling and charging by having a higher rpm. We are pulling trolling bags now to slow down to fishing speeds about 2 to 3mph. But at times depending on wind or currents we struggle to get slow enough. I would definitely keep using the bags with a new prop as well.
What effect would dropping down to say a 13 or 14 pitch 16" diamond 3 blade have on the boat? I don't mind losing some top end speed as we don't launch far from the lake. The boat planes off around 22/23mph right now and I typically cruise around 27.