Prop recommendation

[ACAMACIAN]

I am looking for some advice on prop selection. I am changing my motor from a 150 hp Johnson to a 225HP Merc EFI. I have a 20.5 ft Javelin fish and ski which I use more for fishing. The prop I find the best on the Johnson was a 13 1/2 X 23 pitch 4 blade shooter, which gave me approx 5200rpms. A 25pitch Renegade never gave me the rpms.
Now I need a prop for the Merc and I am not sure what size I should be looking for. Can I assume it should be a bigger pitch i.e. 25. Or am I seeing this wrong?
I do know this will be trial and error but where do I begin? I would like a stainless but gets expensive when you are guessing.
Any recommendations would be much appreciated.

" THE ACAMACIAN "

 

[ACAMACIAN]

Re: Prop recommendation

Hey I am still looking for some advice on my set up if anyone could help. I have a 5 blade prop now 25 pitch, of which people say to not use. With it I can reach 5800 rpm and 54mph. I have my jackplate all the way down and the cavitation plate is even with the pad my drain plugs are in. There is still another pad below this. I can't go any lower. But am I too low now??
I am in the process of buying a prop on ebay a 26 pitch 4 blade, will this help or will it make it worse. I am getting confused with setting this motor up.
I ask friends aoround here and they all have different answers, and even change their answers when it doesn't work..lol

THE ACAMACIAN

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Prop recommendation

Since this is a "fish&ski" boat, it probably tends to be on the heavy side and therefore needs some help out of the hole whether fishing or towing water toys and skiers. A four blade should help in that regard but there are also vented three blades that might provide better top end as well as acceptable hole shot. You are right though, starting from scratch is a bummer. In your situation I would look into the Rite Prop program right here on iBoats. Scroll to the top of the page and click on the "Marine Store" button right under the iBoats logo. Enter your engine data, and click go. You will be presented with a long list of available props in 1 inch pitch increments. Off to the right you will see the "Rite Prop" info. This is an exchange program so if you miss by a mile on the first selection you can get close on the second. Good luck. There are just too many variables involved in your rig for me to even swag at a recommendation but a Stiletto will likely surface as the best performer. That does come at a price however.

 

[ACAMACIAN]

Re: Prop recommendation

I checked out the Rite Prop Program but they didn't have anything that would fit my motor, unless I need a 23 pitch.
Another problem is shipping as I live in Canada. I ordered spark plugs here on Iboats and shipping to me was $33. Imagine how much a prop would be.

I rarely see stiletto props around here. Everyone recommends Tempest which is costly also especially if it is not the correct one and I have to buy another. I'll have to check out the Stilletto.
Back to ebay I go!!


" THE ACAMACIAN "

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Prop recommendation

You might want to check some of the prop shops in major cities that are located around bigger lakes. If you promise to buy from them if they work with you to find the right prop that may be worth a try.

 

[Irv964]

Re: Prop recommendation

I checked out the Rite Prop Program but they didn't have anything that would fit my motor, unless I need a 23 pitch.
Another problem is shipping as I live in Canada. I ordered spark plugs here on Iboats and shipping to me was $33. Imagine how much a prop would be.

I rarely see stiletto props around here. Everyone recommends Tempest which is costly also especially if it is not the correct one and I have to buy another. I'll have to check out the Stilletto.
Back to ebay I go!!


" THE ACAMACIAN "

Acamacian, I also live in Canada (southern Ont.) I priced out a Stiletto Adv.-1SS prop for my boat and based on purchasing a Merc prop from my dealer, I would still save roughly $200.00 dollars! My dealer wants $499.99 for a 18P Merc SS plus 13% of course!($565) and I can get the Stiletto delivered to my door for $375 txs, shipping etc included! I haven't purchased one yet but when the time comes, that is the prop I will most likely get........Irv

 

[ACAMACIAN]

Re: Prop recommendation

Missed out on a couple props on ebay last night but purchased a 25 pitch tempest today for $200. Not a bad deal. Hopefully this will work for me.
One more question though... where should the motor be in relation to the bottom of the boat? As I mentioned I have 3 pads on my boat but I am not really sure where to set it up for the best results.

THE ACAMACIAN