the right prop

[DDavis103]

I have purchased a 2012 Bass Tracker with a 2011 75 HP 2 stroke Mercury, the boat is a tracker 17' 7" 175 TXW mod V.
it came with a 13"x19" prop, top speed "WOT" is 5750 rpm which ran at 48-50 MPH with all gear and ME (270 lb's) and a full fuel tank 20 gal and batterys at the transom.
due to a low lake level I have damaged the prop beyound repair this weekend.
I would like to change the prop to get better plane time and better handling, my question is: should I go with a 4 blade or a 3 blade SS prop.
I am not looking for more speed just better plane time and handleing, if more speed comes with this combo then so be it.

What are your thoughts

Thanks
David 103

 

[sutor623]

Re: the right prop

You will plane quicker and easier, with a 4 blade, typically sacrificing around 5% top end speed. Also you have to drop 1" in pitch to be at about the same RPMs. If it is handling/planing that you are looking for then go for it. (So if you ran a 19P, youd back down to an 18 4 blade) Hopefully Steelespike will chime in. Hes been helping me a great deal.

 

[DDavis103]

Re: the right prop

Thanks for the help, you were the only one that gave me advice.
I called a compnay in Nashville TN called Performance Propellers, all I can say is they sure know their bussiness.
I purchased a 13 1/4" x 19" with exhaust ports and a heavy cupping, my perforance numbers are below.
Boat 2012 17'7" Tracker, 75 HP Mercury 2 stroke Optimax (ran it fully loaded today)
time to plane 2.8 seconds
max speed at WOT 51.5 MPH at 5,800 RPM, both were checked by the boat speedo and GPS

Thanks for the the reply Pete

DDavis