Please Help me in Choosing a New Propeller

[Prodd]

Hi,

I am a total boating noob, so I hope someone here can give me some advice on choosing a new propeller.

I have a 22' open bow speedboat with a 1995 Johnson 225 hp venom outboard. I think it has just a stock aluminum propeller on it. 19", I believe. I get up to about 47mph @5800 RPMs WOT.

Pics:

http://i.imgur.com/0NjSe.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/mkFU9.jpg

I would like to use the boat for wakeboarding in salt water. I also encounter somewhat rough seas from time to time (not while wakeboarding). With this in mind, I was thinking I need a propeller that gets me up to plane as fast as possible and also maintains grip in the waves.

I was looking at the Renegade as the description seemed to be what I need. Any other suggestions or recommendations? I would also appreciate any advice yu ocould give with respect to pitch.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Dhadley]

Re: Please Help me in Choosing a New Propeller

You'll probably end up with 2 props, one being specific for wakeboarding. A hydraulic jackplate would be helpful making the transition back and forth from wakeboard boat to speedboat also. We'd think a nice 4 blade with less pitch and some sternlift would be good for pulling up toys quickly. A 3 blade with bow lift would be best for top speed. A pic of the hull might be helpfull too but we're thinking there is no pad, just a V.

 

[NHGuy]

Re: Please Help me in Choosing a New Propeller

It sounds like you have a short enough pitch that the current prop probably comes out of the hole well. You are getting some fairly high rpms. Your wide open throttle RPM is supposed to be from 5000 to 6000 so you are right there. Your prop slip is 16%, I have seen worse and better.
I'd say make sure the boat is in a maximized state of tune, and the motor is at the correct height. In your pics I see the boat bottom is already clean. Nice looking boat BTW!
To determine motor height you want the plate above the propeller to be parallel with the bottom of the boat. Lay a yardstick or something similar against the bottom of the hull and see how you motor plate sits. If it is not parallel to the bottom, raise or lower the motor to achieve your correct height.
Inspect your propeller, it needs to be perfectly shaped to maximize performance, any dings or nicks must go.
Do you have and know how to operate your power trim? Put the trim all the way down for takeoff, and once on plane raise the trim some to achieve bow lift. Lifting the bow reduces friction and adds speed. The amount you raise the trim varies with speed and load so experiment until you get a feel for it. If you raise the trim at speed and the boat porpoises you may need to move weight around, lower the trim or change the amount of throttle you have applied. Also be aware, you need to lower the trim and the speed for tighter turns.
If you do these things and you get past your maximum wide open throttle RPM's you can then go to a higher pitch propeller for more speed. Once you have maximized your setup and trim you may go for a higher pitch just to see if you get more speed. Just be aware the higher pitch prop will have a slower holeshot to get a higher top speed.
If you do all that stuff and still want to take it further you can get a jack plate which moves the engine back from the stern of the boat into less turbulent water. This is normally good for a couple to as much as 6 MPH.

 

[Prodd]

Re: Please Help me in Choosing a New Propeller

Thank you for the excellent information. I will consider all of this when choosing a prop.

 

[Robbabob]

Re: Please Help me in Choosing a New Propeller

Hi Prodd, welcome to iBoats!

Seems you are where you need to be. Going with SS will show an improvement as less flex will take place. Given that, more digging capability, you may be able to decrease pitch an inch without hitting excess revs. Better hole shot and keeping high speeds.

Good luck!

 

[PopsRacer]

Re: Please Help me in Choosing a New Propeller

Could a Double Prop be applicable for either of these guys???