prop size?

[boatman37]

Hey guys. Dock neighbor just bought a 1994 Wellcraft Excel 26. Has the 5.7 Mercruiser Alpha 1. Any idea what prop should be on it? Another guy noticed the prop looked really odd and owner said he was told it had a trolling prop on it? No idea what it should have but another guy there has a 1999 24' Martinique with Alpha 1 and told him he needed the 'big ear' prop and they were different than his 24'er? Any ideas? Thanks!

 

[QBhoy]

What I’m about to say next would suit you, if you aren’t bothered about as close to perfect efficiency as possible. But rather you want all round good behaviour with a boat like this, being typically stern heavy. With her heavy engine and fuel tank, far aft. Perhaps a body or two sitting at the back too. To deal with that, I know for sure that the big 16x16 black max does well for that, on many boats similar to yours. She will lose a little top end over a 14x17 for example and rpms will show a little higher cruising and low down…but she will pick up well. All the above is assuming the usual gear ratio found on boats like this with that engine and alpha.

 

[JimJames63]

@QBhoy Stern Heavy boat here as well, Larson Hampton 220 small buddy, 5.7 Mercruiser Alpha 1 - gets to plane around 3100 but till them it's bow up. Your advise above seems like a match for me. I had a 15 x 17 three blade on last season, switched it out to a 14.5 x 17 four blade a couple weeks ago after the three blade met an early demise. I'm not at all concerned about top speed, just would like to be able to get up on plane easier. Is this just the curse of a fat heavy boat? Typically it's me and Mrs on the boat alone, even then it's a struggle to get up, add other bodies and well... you get the idea. My only reference is past ski boats so realize it's an apple to orange comparison.

 

[QBhoy]

@QBhoy Stern Heavy boat here as well, Larson Hampton 220 small buddy, 5.7 Mercruiser Alpha 1 - gets to plane around 3100 but till them it's bow up. Your advise above seems like a match for me. I had a 15 x 17 three blade on last season, switched it out to a 14.5 x 17 four blade a couple weeks ago after the three blade met an early demise. I'm not at all concerned about top speed, just would like to be able to get up on plane easier. Is this just the curse of a fat heavy boat? Typically it's me and Mrs on the boat alone, even then it's a struggle to get up, add other bodies and well... you get the idea. My only reference is past ski boats so realize it's an apple to orange comparison.

Sounds like the 16x16 might be the ticket

 

[boatman37]

I will pass that on to him. We pulled ours but he is still in. I'm guessing he will call me to pull his boat for him since he has no way to tow it