1999 Johnson 150 prop recommendation

[Xterror04]

Hi all,

I bought a 1999 glastron 18ft fish/ski last August...most use it for running around the lake, towing tubes, and wake boards...

I have the factory 3 blade prop on it but was wondering what would be a good step up from that.. Maybe something that will get me a little more speed... Engine code is j150plees

 

[s.wxman]

Re: 1999 Johnson 150 prop recommendation

I won't claim to know enough to give a real suggestion, but I will give you some of my experience as a data point.
I have a 1995 18' Stratos fish/ski with Evinrude 150. When the kids were younger it was used mostly for skiing and tubing. Now it is used mostly for fishing.
Original prop was Shooter 13 1/4 x 25 . It was only prop I had the first couple years I had the boat (acquired used). Boat does top speed of about 65 with that prop and all trimmed out. When skiing the hole shot is a little slow for beginners as it takes a while for the boat to get on plane. When pulling a big tube it is really hard to get the front end of the boat down with this prop on unless you get the speed way up. Wasn't a fan of this prop for skiing tubing. My big tube pulls hard with a couple of teens on it. This prop wouldn't let me stay in power band of engine at my tubing speed (~12-15) as we like to do lots of hard S turns etc...

Second prop is a Renegade Bass 13 1/2 x 23. Pretty much same speed achieved with just a little higher top RPM. Just a bit better stern lift at slow speeds, but no dramatic difference. Wasn't the change I was looking for for our play time.

Third prop is Renegade Offshore 14 1/4 x19. This prop pulls a skiier out of the water in nothing flat. It will raise the stern at slow speeds and the boat is pretty much level even pulling the tube at 12-15 mph. Much nice for skiing and tubing. The boat just performs better and I can keep the engine in a better power range when towing. Top speed is reduced to about 45, maybe 48 on a long stretch. I also have to watch the redline as the motor will over speed if left at full throttle after getting on plane.

These are all 4 bladed props.

So, I keep all three. When towing or staying on a smaller lake I use the Offshore prop. If I am going fishing on a larger lake I will usually put on the Renegade Bass. I mostly keep the Shooter for a spare. I did run the Shooter fishing down in AL last year because it is the fastest of the three on long stretches.

My experience is the prop is a compromise. You have to give a little in one spot to gain in another.

good luck

 

[SilverSS07]

Re: 1999 Johnson 150 prop recommendation

What pitch is the prop you have currently?

 

[Xterror04]

Re: 1999 Johnson 150 prop recommendation

What pitch is the prop you have currently?

14 1/4x 21 3 blade...

 

[s.wxman]

Re: 1999 Johnson 150 prop recommendation

How close to max rpm are you at WOT, planed/trimmed out??

 

[175se]

Re: 1999 Johnson 150 prop recommendation

as s.wxm said what is your max rpm trimmed out- keep in mind if you up in pitch you go down in rpm-if you go down in pitch you raise rpm (either way its approx. 250-300 rpm per inch) most will agree( I hope) one prop is hard to get to do both jobs. if you have a good prop shop in your area give them a shout sometimes they have props they will let you try.

 

[Xterror04]

Re: 1999 Johnson 150 prop recommendation

It's been a few months since I have had the boat out.. But I don't remember being able to ever get it up to 5k.. The manual says wot rpm range should be 4500-5500 rpm so I am still shy of that

So if I went to a 14 1/4 x 22 I might be able to get a little more out of it? Correct?

 

[SilverSS07]

Re: 1999 Johnson 150 prop recommendation

If you stick with a 3 blade it will be an odd # pitch- so 14 1/4x23 would be the next size up. Moving to a 23 pitch would decrease your RPM at WOT- possibly giving more top speed. Dropping in pitch to a 19 would give you more of a holeshot and more RPM at WOT. Need to see where your RPM's are now- if you're shy of the WOT rpm range I would drop to a 19 and see where that gets you.

 

[Xterror04]

Re: 1999 Johnson 150 prop recommendation

What would An appropriate pitch be if changing to a 4 blade?

 

[SilverSS07]

Re: 1999 Johnson 150 prop recommendation

Usually switching to a 4 blade prop you drop 1 inch in pitch.

 

[Xterror04]

Re: 1999 Johnson 150 prop recommendation

So would that mean 13 1/4 x 21?

 

[SilverSS07]

Re: 1999 Johnson 150 prop recommendation

No 14 1/4 is the diameter. 21 is the pitch. So you would drop to a 20 pitch. If you aren't achieving close to 5500 RPM I would drop to the next size down.

 

[Xterror04]

Re: 1999 Johnson 150 prop recommendation

Ok thanks for the clarification

 

[Xterror04]

Re: 1999 Johnson 150 prop recommendation

Ok took the boat out least Friday, full tilt/throttle I'm doing 55mph at 5150 rpm... If I go to a 14 1/4 x19 4 blade prop should I stay under my 5500 rpm max?

 

[bob johnson]

Re: 1999 Johnson 150 prop recommendation

you can run at 5500 to 5800 fine with that motor..... I would max out the rpm at WOT if possible....going to a 19 pitch four blade might just put you where you want... I am not familiar with four bladed props though....I am guessing they are stainless steel props...right?
when you are going WOT ,have you trimmed out the motor at all?

bob

 

[Xterror04]

Re: 1999 Johnson 150 prop recommendation

Wot fully trimmed Out I'm at 5150 rpm..

I'm finding 4 blades made of aluminum and stainless.. Going to a local shop this week to see what they have

 

[boobie]

Re: 1999 Johnson 150 prop recommendation

Make sure your tach is accurate.

 

[Xterror04]

Re: 1999 Johnson 150 prop recommendation

Make sure your tach is accurate.

How can I do that?

 

[bob johnson]

Re: 1999 Johnson 150 prop recommendation

SS turns faster rpms an you get more MPH for the same pitch as aluminum does...all else being equal

Boobie: is there a test for the tach?..on or off the boat?

bo

 

[boobie]

Re: 1999 Johnson 150 prop recommendation

Two ways. Substitute another tach or take it to a dlr that has a shop tach. It clamps on the plug wire. I just happen to have one and have used it a lot over the years. Was built by Merc-O-tronic.