Hello,
I have a 1999 aluminium Starcraft 19 1/2 ft Fishmaster powered by a 150 hp Merc. Optimax engine. This boat has a 50 gal gas tank that seems to be located in the center to stern of the boat. It also has a 9.9 kicker mounted on the stern. My point being the the boat is stern heavy. The prop is a Laser II 3 blade 14 1/2 X 19 SS. RPM's are in the 5200 - 5500 range and the speed is 34 - 37 mph. There are two problems I would like to correct. It is slow to plane and after being on plane when cutting back the throttle the stern settles back into the water too quickly. When I bought the boat there was a stingray fin on the motor. I took it off and added smart tabs. There was some improvement but not enough to make it satisfactory. It has been suggested that changing to a 4 blade 14 1/2 X 18 or 17 should be correct the problem. Any opinions or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Also, if I do change props should I buy stainless or aluminium?
Thanks
TAG
I have a 1999 aluminium Starcraft 19 1/2 ft Fishmaster powered by a 150 hp Merc. Optimax engine. This boat has a 50 gal gas tank that seems to be located in the center to stern of the boat. It also has a 9.9 kicker mounted on the stern. My point being the the boat is stern heavy. The prop is a Laser II 3 blade 14 1/2 X 19 SS. RPM's are in the 5200 - 5500 range and the speed is 34 - 37 mph. There are two problems I would like to correct. It is slow to plane and after being on plane when cutting back the throttle the stern settles back into the water too quickly. When I bought the boat there was a stingray fin on the motor. I took it off and added smart tabs. There was some improvement but not enough to make it satisfactory. It has been suggested that changing to a 4 blade 14 1/2 X 18 or 17 should be correct the problem. Any opinions or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Also, if I do change props should I buy stainless or aluminium?
Thanks
TAG