Need Prop advice for a 12 ft Zodiac SIB

[Mattleycrue76]

I recently purchased a 2001 11'6" Zodiac with a 2002 Mercury 15HP two stroke. It handles great and hits 22 mph with two people on board.

My problem is that I'm using it for diving and the gear is quite heavy. When loaded with two divers and all their gear the boat won't plane and putters along at 6mph.

Current prop is 9x9 eight spline

I'm wondering if going to a 9x8 or even 9x7 would help me plane with all that weight or do I need to go to a bigger motor? I'm guessing that with two divers and gear I'm looking at about 700 - 800 lbs (320-360 kg)

Any input would be greatly appretiated.

Matt

 

[confederate4x4]

Re: Need Prop advice for a 12 ft Zodiac SIB

I have been having the same issue with my 15' skiff. I installed a jack plate which raised my motor 3" higher. It put my anti-ventilation plate perfectly even with the bottom of the boat and this helped tremendously. read the posts.... http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=400819

 

[trendsetter240]

Re: Need Prop advice for a 12 ft Zodiac SIB

Go with the 10" x 7p 4 blade solas amita and you should be able to plane with your heavy load of gear. Just watch the RPM as with a light load it will be able to rev quite high.