Pontoon prop question

[Prentissboater]

I have an 18ft 1988 sundancer toon. 1989 merc115hp inline 4. What pitch would yall recommend? Boat is loaded heavy as i bowfish out of it. Loaded with 6 batteries 5 of them are group 31. 4 to 6 people most of the time. 18 gallon fuel tank and 100lbs of led lights. Thanks

 

[Faztbullet]

13-3/4 or 14 diameter x 14 pitch

 

[Scott Danforth]

With all that weight on a 18' 'toon, doubt it will get up on plane.

What pitch prop is on there now?

Also, looking at the specs for a 1988 sundancer pontoon, the 115hp motor is about 40hp more than the 20' toon was rated for. Not sure what the 18' was rated for, could only find 20' and larger

 

[Sea Rider]

Current prop along wax wot rpm achieved as loaded is needed to go from there...

Happy Boating

 

[Prentissboater]

Thanks fellers. I bought the motor used andnits got a 22pitch on it now

 

[Scott Danforth]

22 pitch way too high for a pontoon. Also, if you haven't rebuilt the transom and completely beefed it up that 115 will rip it off the boat

 

[Prentissboater]

Removed and replaced all transom bolts and installed fender washers and regular flat washers. Also had alot of welding done on the transom.

 

[jakedaawg]

I think faztbullett has a good starting point. Try to make a relationship with the local prop shop. Many will let you test a wheel ifnyou promise to buy from them. You will also need a good reliable tach. Preferably not the one wired in the dash.

 

[Prentissboater]

Any recommendations on an affordable tach?

 

[Sea Rider]

Can install on OB front hood a Hardline Hour/Tach model : [FONT=&quot]SKU: [/FONT][FONT=&quot]HR-8062-2. Easy installation. Perform a current prop test as usually loaded and report back achieved wot rpm. Check Iboats if having that product.

Happy Boating[/FONT]

 

[Prentissboater]

Where can i find a prop. Would like a solas but can only find in 13 or 15 pitch

 

[Prentissboater]

I can find 13.75x 13 pitch or 15 pitch. But no 14x14 or 13.75x14. What should i go with. I also dont have any boat shops near me that have toon props, theyre all higher pitched. So ill be ordering off the internet. I dont want to over rev my motor for sure. Thanks

 

[Sea Rider]

Need to tach current prop as usually loaded on a wot spin, once knowing actual wot rpm achieved can go for a prop maximization, will know how much less pitch to go in order for combo to rev to max wot rpm range factory stated. Without a tach combo is prematurely dead.

Happy Boating

 

[Merc40hp]

Prentissboater, you should look at the Mercury Spitfire, four blade prop before making a purchase. Mercury Marine designed it pacifically for pontoon applications and it has earned quite a good reputation. I ran a BlackMax 14x13 prop on a 18' suntracker with a 90 hp optimax and at 5300 RPM I was getting 24.7 GPS speed. But the boat was difficult to steer at lower speed and especially in reverse. I put on a Spitfire 13.8 x13 4 blade prop and its was like a whole different pontoon. The ease of backing up and low speed steering is 100% better and top end speed increased to 27.1 at 5500 RPM.