Bare with me please:
I recently purchased a xpress x-18 with a mercury 150 xr6 2003 models....Well here it goes, the original (stock) prop that comes with this rig is a 23 pitch 4 blade prop. Well, the last owner tore the prop up and replaced it with a 23 pitch 3 blade tempest plus prop.
Now, when driving, I shoot about 20ft waves from the side at WOT, and only hitting 50mph. I know this water resistance is SLOWING me down tremendously. So, I went and bought a jackplate to raise my motor up to solve this problem. I havent took it out yet, but am planning on doing it this weekend.
Now, here is my question. Will I have to buy a new prop to match my recommended RPM'S? My concern is that the stock prop was a 4 blade and he replaced it with the same pitch, but a 3 blade instead! I am worried once I jack my engine up my with the jackplate and get my water presure right, that my rpms will be toooooo high with this prop? Right now with the three blade, and with all the drag I have in the water bc my engine is too low I am at 5600 rpms, WOT, which is the recommended rpms for this motor at WOT. My concern is that I will have to change props out once I raise my motor up to get the boat riding on the pad, bc I am at the reccommend rpms with my set up right now, want my rpms go ALOT higher once I raise the motor up with this prop?? I hope I do not have to blow $$$$ on another prop! OR will I be able to make this prop work with the right adjustments?? Thanks for any help!!
I recently purchased a xpress x-18 with a mercury 150 xr6 2003 models....Well here it goes, the original (stock) prop that comes with this rig is a 23 pitch 4 blade prop. Well, the last owner tore the prop up and replaced it with a 23 pitch 3 blade tempest plus prop.
Now, when driving, I shoot about 20ft waves from the side at WOT, and only hitting 50mph. I know this water resistance is SLOWING me down tremendously. So, I went and bought a jackplate to raise my motor up to solve this problem. I havent took it out yet, but am planning on doing it this weekend.
Now, here is my question. Will I have to buy a new prop to match my recommended RPM'S? My concern is that the stock prop was a 4 blade and he replaced it with the same pitch, but a 3 blade instead! I am worried once I jack my engine up my with the jackplate and get my water presure right, that my rpms will be toooooo high with this prop? Right now with the three blade, and with all the drag I have in the water bc my engine is too low I am at 5600 rpms, WOT, which is the recommended rpms for this motor at WOT. My concern is that I will have to change props out once I raise my motor up to get the boat riding on the pad, bc I am at the reccommend rpms with my set up right now, want my rpms go ALOT higher once I raise the motor up with this prop?? I hope I do not have to blow $$$$ on another prop! OR will I be able to make this prop work with the right adjustments?? Thanks for any help!!