Re: Over rev
What is your priority? Holeshot or top speed?
Generically speaking, if you're looking toward a performance stainless prop, I think you'll need to be in the 18 or 19 pitch range. Should get you in the 4,550 to 4,900 range. Where in that range? VERY difficult to predict. Different brands and styles of props will run at substantailly different rpms...possibly vary as much as 300 or 400 in the same pitch, depending on their designs.
Since you have a good prop shop at your disposal that seems to allow you to test and dial in, then I certainly suggest you take advantage of that opportunity. A test-drive will ALWAYS be more accurate and definite than any guestimate anyone can provide based on theory...
AND, if you stumble across a great prop that handles well and you like, but is maybe turning only 4,700 or so...you can also consider buying that prop and then asking the prop shop to take 1" of pitch out of it...and obviuosly pay them for the service. If they're truly a good prop shop, they'll know how to do it, and then you'll have a custom-tuned prop for your particular boat and load. As a benefit, it will be rebalanced at the same time. You'd be shocked to know how many brand new out-of-the-box props are unbalanced right from the get-go....
I find it very unfortunate that so many manufacturers sell props in 2" increments. I too am a performance enthusiast and look for PERFECT specific RPM...being within a range is not good enough for me. In my last shopping experience for my personal boat I purchased 2 identical props, different only in pitch. The 21 ran at 4,800, and the 19 ran at 5,200. I really liked the props, but I wanted my motor to spin 5,000. This mfr didn't sell a 20. So I simply paid a prop shop to repitch my 21 prop to a 20...and then I sold the 19. And now my boat runs exactly 5,000 like I wanted.
So just keep in mind that out of the box isn't always the only alternative, or always the best alternative, if you are going to be very picky about an EXACT rpm target...
