Props?

Ddun

Recruit
Joined
Sep 28, 2022
Messages
3
Have a Lund Rebel with a 50 Merc. Looking to change prop to a four blade to get up quicker. Any advice?
 

alldodge

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Mar 8, 2009
Messages
42,064
Welcome
Moving you to prop area due to the question
For us to help, need to know what is your current max WOT RPM?
What speed are you seeing now?
 

Texasmark

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Dec 20, 2005
Messages
14,669
A 4 blade of the same pitch and design would drop your RPMs slightly and give you a better hole shot...you could drop an inch in pitch too and you should still be in the upper part of the recommended RPM range. Changing prop styles and doing the above usually changes more things than you expect. Expect your top end to drop slightly too....can't have your cake and eat it. To get more bite and keep or increase speed it takes more ponies or boat/load changes.
 

redneck joe

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Mar 18, 2009
Messages
10,919
What year merc? Diff years may have diff WOT requirements.

I have an 82 4 cyl 40 merc on a 18 foot center console aluminum and I'm happy with:


I'm at about 5300 WOT and 27 mph with it.
 

QBhoy

Fleet Admiral
Joined
Mar 10, 2016
Messages
8,342
You might plane a little quicker with a 4 blade, like of like in pitch to the 3 blade..but you’ll sacrifice top end and fuel efficiency (if that matters at all).
 

Ddun

Recruit
Joined
Sep 28, 2022
Messages
3
5500-6000
About 28mph

A 4 blade of the same pitch and design would drop your RPMs slightly and give you a better hole shot...you could drop an inch in pitch too and you should still be in the upper part of the recommended RPM range. Changing prop styles and doing the above usually changes more things than you expect. Expect your top end to drop slightly too....can't have your cake and eat it. To get more bite and keep or increase speed it takes more ponies or boat/load changes.
Thanks much
 

racerone

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Dec 28, 2013
Messages
37,827
What pitch is the prop that you are using now?-----And is the motor well maintained?-----You need a new water pump impeller in that motor about every 5 years.----Or test the hot / overheat horn , if control box has one.
 

airshot

Vice Admiral
Joined
Jul 22, 2008
Messages
5,084
5500-6000 is a wide range, what is the actual rpm at wot on the motor when running ?? Then what is the max recomended rpm of the motor ? Then actual pitch and dia of current prop ?? Is the motor running at peak power ? How loaded is the boat ?? You need to look at all things that could affect your performance.
 
Top