Mel Taylor
Chief Petty Officer
- Joined
- Jun 25, 2009
- Messages
- 489
I have a 1995, 30 horse, Evinrude on a 1984, 14 ft., Mirrocraft Utility Series, Aluminum boat.
The boat weighs around 300 pounds empty. I usually carry myself and one passenger (370 - 400 pounds total) plus trolling motor, one size 24 battery, six gallons of gas, tackle boxes, etc.
The boat has only been used but a few days a year until now and, for the most part, at an altitude of about a thousand feet above sea level. Now it will be used more often and primarily at Elephant Butte and Caballo Lakes in New Mexico. where the altitude is between 4000 and 4500 feet.
The motor came with a 10X15 prop on it and that's what I've been using since the motor was new. I've been told that with the change in altitude I probably need to go to a 10 X 13 prop.
Naturally there will be some running up and down the lake at top speed but speed is not the priority here. I do a fair amount of trolling and ability to function at trolling speed is as important as top speed.
I haven't had the chance to check the WOT rpm yet with the current 10X15 prop and the only tach I have access to is going to be difficult to use for that. But, I intend to try before the end of the summer if possible.
I would appreciate feedback/comments/advice from anyone with experience in the area of the effects of altitude on power and prop size.
TIA,
Mel
The boat weighs around 300 pounds empty. I usually carry myself and one passenger (370 - 400 pounds total) plus trolling motor, one size 24 battery, six gallons of gas, tackle boxes, etc.
The boat has only been used but a few days a year until now and, for the most part, at an altitude of about a thousand feet above sea level. Now it will be used more often and primarily at Elephant Butte and Caballo Lakes in New Mexico. where the altitude is between 4000 and 4500 feet.
The motor came with a 10X15 prop on it and that's what I've been using since the motor was new. I've been told that with the change in altitude I probably need to go to a 10 X 13 prop.
Naturally there will be some running up and down the lake at top speed but speed is not the priority here. I do a fair amount of trolling and ability to function at trolling speed is as important as top speed.
I haven't had the chance to check the WOT rpm yet with the current 10X15 prop and the only tach I have access to is going to be difficult to use for that. But, I intend to try before the end of the summer if possible.
I would appreciate feedback/comments/advice from anyone with experience in the area of the effects of altitude on power and prop size.
TIA,
Mel
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