Was thinking that myself initially…but not sure if the poster is asking if there is any more speed to be had…50/50 if going to a 19” might gain or lose that. Likely the latter perhaps. Might just put her over her rpm range at the top end too. What’s the rpm range on those older 3.0 engines Scott ? Have a feeling it’s less than the newer 3.0…them being 4400-4800 I think. This older thing I have in mind is a bit less. Or I think it was on my old 79’ 140.
I can't really afford more than 1 replacement prop at the moment so whatever i buy will be all it gets.
You could stick a good old laser 2 on there, if you find a good used one.
Speed freaks I see....lol...the fastest boat I ever owned would do just 35 mph, over the 12 years of owning it, I found that I could count on one hand the number of times I could safely run at that speed. In my area the lake is never calm enough to run that speed !!
I think comparing outboard power to inboard power as a like for like…isn’t probably a true comparison. Almost always the case that an identical boat hull that had option to go outboard or inboard…the outboard will be a faster boat, should the HP be anything remotely close to each other. I know of loads of boats that would be relevant to. One example might be a fletcher 17ft boat that’s common over here. If one was powered by a 4.3 v6 mercruiser with 190/205hp and the other with a 200hp v6 Yamaha 2 stroke outboard…the outboard powered version would be in a different league to the inboard for pace. Wouldn’t even be close. The outboard would make the inboard look silly head to head.
Better top end you need more hp… 38-40 mph is about all you will get on a 18 glass boat 3.0 , very similar to what i had out of my 17 ft sea ray 3.0. Enjoy it for what it is durable and economical…
If hitting stuff is a common occurrence get a spare prop. Modular hub is better in my opinion but more personal preference as either works fine .
