prop info

You are right, that is a loaded question. So, 24 for hole shot, 26 for top end, and maybe 25 best of both. The key to remember is that each change up and down is a 200 RPM change. Going down in prop size increases RPM. Look in the archieves for really great explanations.

To me pick an average load and a prop that is on the limiter in the coldest weather you fish with a rooster tail not over the cowl.If you “gear” it for max speed when cold with a light load, and a taller pitch that is raised so high its on the verge of loosing water psi then you may not be happy with the performance in the heat with a load and rough water as the hole shot will be drastically different. Keep in mind if you lower the engine height with a taller prop then it bites better at the expense of lowering engine rpms, which will slow you even more on the top end in the summer time loaded.

The ventilation holes in the prop allow the exhaust from the engine (which exists through the prop) to partially blow out of the holes when the boat is getting on plane…or out of the hole. The exhaust flowing OVER the blades, rather than through the barrel of the prop, allow the prop to “slip”, which in turn allows the engine to rev up more and produce more torque to move the boat forward. Playing with the hole size allows you to fine tune the amount of slippage. Just as the boats bow comes down after coming out of the hole, a slight increase in RPM is normal (prop is “blowing out”), but it should immediately hook back up and get you moving. When moving faster, the exhaust is pulled out of the center of the prop and the holes play no further role.There are a lot of factors that play into which prop is the best prop for your particular boat and how you load it, number of people in the boat, how much weight is up front compared to in the center/back, etc. Generally, you control speed with trim, not throttle position. Ideally, you want the engine turning very close to the recommended maximum RPM when fully trimmed up at maximum speed. If you get the boat set up correctly in hot weather, with the RPM a couple of hundred under maximum, with your normal load, then youll gain back the RPM in cooler air and be at maximum.A good starting point for prop to pad on most Cats is 3.5″ below. Then tweak up or down, depending on prop. The goal is maximum speed, Maximum RPM, and maintaining 15-20 PSI on the water pressure gauge when wide open.2017 Sabre FTD AE DC2017 Yamaha 175 SHOMK Fortrex 80Helix 10 Mega SI in consoleHelix 7 GPS SI GN2 on bow

Lift characteristics vary from 3 to 4 blade as well . — 3 blade lifts the bow more , whereas the 4 blade seems to lift the whole boat more , producing a flatter running posture , and more ” bite ” in rough water . — Props are the real enigma of bass boating . — You can buy 3 props from the same manufacturer , and they will NOT be the same . — Theyll be ” CLOSE ” , but not the same . — EENY – MEENY – MINEE – MO – Pick a prop , and to the prop guru we go . — The worst of it is that once you get one ” JUST RIGHT ” , the first thing you do is go and hit something with it . — SHEESH !!