Prop Recommendation

I am sure that this may have been answered here already but have looked around in the posts for a bit and can't locate it: I just purchased a used boat and need some advice on getting it proped correctly. Here is the information on the boat:
1993 Larson 17 ft All American Bowrider (Fiberglass V Hull)
3.0 L Mercruiser Alpha 1 drive 135 hp
Advertised dry weight is 1800 - normally will load it with 600 lbs of gear and people
20 gal fuel tank
Current prop is 14.5 - 19 (48-832830 A45 - 19P) with some nicks and bruises.
WOT RPM = 3900 - 4000 trimmed as well as possible
Recommended WOT RPM = 42-4600
Water Speed Speedometer is somewhere around 31-35 mph
Eagle fish finder showed the speed at 44 MPH

We are trying to set this up to get a skier up, pull a tube and just cruise the lake and fish a bit. I am thinking that a guy would just stay with the 14.5 and drop to a 17 pitch to boost the Rpm and improve the acceleration abit. If a person went from the aluminum to SS do you stay with the same pitch and diameter? what about if changed from 3 to 4 blade?

Any help would be appreciated
Thanks

Re: Prop Recommendation

I think I would go with a 17" 4 blade.The 4 blade will help you get up better
as will the drop in pitch.You should also stay on plane at lower power.You may lose a little top end.
A stainless will probably give better all around performance but could be only a few tenths to a couple of mph over a good Aluminum.
And VERY expensive.

Re: Prop Recommendation

Bump - any other thoughts??

Re: Prop Recommendation

i'd run that boat at 4400- 4600 right now your killing the motor at 3900- 4000 your horsepower ratings are at 4600 u need 400- 600 rpms
a 3x 17p will give you 4200-4400 a 4x 17=4100-4200 imoa id look for a 4x16 should put you in the 4600 nieghborhood

Re: Prop Recommendation

rule of thumb 3-4 blade drop 1" pitch to acheve same rpms going from a 3x 19 to a 4x15 is like droping 3 " pitch-which is gaining 450-550 wot rpms