Prop size

Wade m

Recruit
Joined
Apr 25, 2021
Messages
2
My 18 foot boat with 4.3 mercruiser has a 4 blade 19 pitch prop it easily runs up past redline 5000 with lots of throttle left should i change to a 21 or 23 pitch
 

alldodge

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Mar 8, 2009
Messages
42,064
If the boat tach is accurate then yes, but there has been many times the boat tach cannot be trusted

May also be the 4-blade prop is lifting the boat to much
 

Wade m

Recruit
Joined
Apr 25, 2021
Messages
2
If the boat tach is accurate then yes, but there has been many times the boat tach cannot be trusted

May also be the 4-blade prop is lifting the boat to much
What is lifting to much how do I tell if its doing that
 

alldodge

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Mar 8, 2009
Messages
42,064
Its hard to actually see if the boat is coming up to high. Another boat running along side could get an idea. If the prop gets close to the surface it will start to get air in and will ventilate.

If it does ventilate the rpms increase but speed does not
 

Damdan

Cadet
Joined
Jan 11, 2007
Messages
8
Surely an IO should not ventilate when running level?
Maybe in tight turns yes but its not the same as an outboard which might be set up too high on the transom?
 
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