Correct Prop for 22' Pontoon w 90HP outboard

[FLTelco]

We just bougth a 2002 22' Suntracker Pontoon with a 2004 90HP Mercury ELP Saltwater Outboard. The current aluminum prop has a 21 pitch and I wanted to know what the proper pitch should be for this boat. A mechanic is going thru the boat and noticed the prop and said it seemed too high.
I would appreciate direction to a good site or advice
Thank You

 

[lncoop]

Re: Correct Prop for 22' Pontoon w 90HP outboard

Check with Tracker. Welcome aboard.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Correct Prop for 22' Pontoon w 90HP outboard

I can assure you that prop indeed has too much pitch. Mercury makes a very good pontoon-specific prop (four blade aluminum) with very large rounded blades. The 40/50/60 Big Foot engines typically use a 14 x 9P. Your 90 would very likely be happy with about an 11P, possibly a 13P. You will severely lug the engine with a 21P.

 

[lmuss53]

Re: Correct Prop for 22' Pontoon w 90HP outboard

Turning point suggests a 14X13 for power and a 15 for speed. You should run your numbers and models on the prop selector tool (linked below) yourself because there are a few different 90 HP Mercs and 5 or 6 different 22 foot Tracker pontoons in those years.

I ran one for a guy in the prop section and there are TWELVE!!! different 150 HP Yamahas in 1992.

http://www.turningpointpropellers.com/

I've used this prop selector for my pontoon several times in the last 4 years on 3 different HP motors and found the lower pitched power props keep me in the recommended RPM range more consistantly than the speed props. I fish and I haul a lot of equipment so I am always loaded heavy.

 

[stevetedder]

Re: Correct Prop for 22' Pontoon w 90HP outboard

Ive got a 13 on my '24 ft sundancer pontoon.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Correct Prop for 22' Pontoon w 90HP outboard

Size of the pontoon has a bearing on prop but not as much as the gear ratio in the lower unit. If this is a 3 cylinder motor it has a 2.34:1 gear set.

 

[Dkrager]

Re: Correct Prop for 22' Pontoon w 90HP outboard

My 22' with 75hp 4 stoke has a 11p on it. My WOT is a little too high at this prop though.

 

[lamac]

Re: Correct Prop for 22' Pontoon w 90HP outboard

14" 11 degree pitch if aluminum, 14" 12 degree pitch if stainless prop is used that is what came up for my 22' pontoon boat. Go to the mercury website and fill out the information and you can check it out yourself.
Keep safe

 

[fastback4]

Re: Correct Prop for 22' Pontoon w 90HP outboard

Yepper....14" x 13p Michigan prop for my 60hp Merc. Bigfoot.. 24mph @5,200 rpm's
As far as pitch goes....Pitch is how many inches a vessel moves forward during one full revolution of the propeller, or so a guy told me one time in a bar....Tom

 

[Mr Crabbs]

Re: Correct Prop for 22' Pontoon w 90HP outboard

Picked up our new Suntracker PB20 (22' long) yesterday. I was told that my prop is a 13.5 x 15 on my 90 Merc and it's matched at the factory.

 

[FLTelco]

Re: Correct Prop for 22' Pontoon w 90HP outboard

Thank You all for your replies. I'm working with someone now to put a 13.5 x 15 and I'm sure it will perform much better with that and not put undue stress on the motor.

The person I bought the boat from had burned up the original 50HP motor and bought the 90 and had it put on. I guess they never thought to change the prop based on the boat it was being put on. I've had it out on a couple of very short trips and the RPMs are running low but, I didn't write down the number and can't remember. I'm new to the Tampa Bay area waters so, most of the trip was at an idle or just above mode trying to get used to water that is 3-5 feet when I came off a very deep lake.

Thanks Again