2009 Tahoe Q5i , prop questions

[DVANECK]

Hello Everyone, I'm really new to Boating, I'm 62 and have always wanted a boat, and just bought my first running boat. I have a 2009 Tracker Tahoe Q5i, 20ft inboard/outboard, I'm looking at getting a stainless prop for it,
It currently has a 14 inch 19 pitch aluminum prop on it now, on a Alpha 1 Drive, what would you recommend for this boat? Should I change it to a larger prop? Or stay the same ? The Engine is a 4.3 liter V6 Merc. 220hp Carberated I think its this and not the 190hp, And runs at 45mph at around 5k on the tach, is this the correct prop for my boat, and if not what did it come with? I know it should have a top end of around 53mph, the 45 was with 3 people on board. Any help appreciated, I'm not pulling a skier, maybe a tube once in a blue moon and mainly want to use it for pleasure and fishing, would love to see over 50 on the speedo once in a while, Just had it checked out, had a Garmin fish finder put in, as well . Also can I move the transducer up and down, he put it close to a strap and I'm afraid it will get broken while loading and unloading on the trailer. any help much appreciated!

Thank you.
Don

 

[alldodge]

Welcome
Your max RPM should be 4400-4800, if your seeing 5K then could be the Tach is a bit off or you over reving it

You could go to a 21 pitch which would drop you WOT rpm about 200 and may be able to pick up a tad bit of speed. Not saying it will because once the motor starts getting above 4400 the torque starts going down and HP continues up a tad more

So if the boat is loaded a bit heavy you won't gain much if any. Stainless props have less flex then aluminum and less resistance because blades are thinner. So going from 19 aluminum to 19 stainless may also reduce rpm and increase speed

 

[DVANECK]

Thank you so much

 

[DVANECK]

Hello thank you for the info, I ordered a 14inch by 21 propeller 15 spline stainless made by Young Props on Amazon, hopefully this gets me what I'm looking for.
Don

 

[Bondo]

I'm really new to Boating, I'm 62 and have always wanted a boat, and just bought my first running boat.

Ayuh,..... Welcome Aboard,...... I suggest you stick with an aluminum prop til you get used to bein' a "Boater",......

A prop strike with a stainless prop is more likely to destroy the drive, 'n the prop,....