Changed props today

skibum

i changed props on my fd226/yamaha vf200 sho today. Put on a mercury enertia 14.2 x 18 3 blade and raised my jackplate 1" from bottom. Motor is mounted on the #2 holes. Air temp 76, water temp 65, engine rpm 5900, gps speed 50.6with 30 gallons of fuel Old prop was a solas 14.25 x 17 4 blade. Under same conditions engine turned 5500 rpm and 45.3 gps. With 15 gallons of fuel Big improvement. I was trying for 55 mph but I just don't think it is possible, but I may be wrong

89checkmate

Sounds like you got it set up pretty good, best I've been able to see with my 203 and 200 opti is 52.7 gps, I was trying for 55 too, I've tried lots of props, I decided against a jackplate because I just don't think it's worth it for this type of boat, over 50 with that power is very respectable for the size of these boats, beats the heck out of a pontoon too, lol.

cjjjdeck

I agree with 89checkmate, you've got it dialed in, especially at the RPMs you've attained.  The Category 5 hull by pretty much by design yields 45-50 mph at the max HP & RPM's, any more than that should probably be considered to be a bonus.

skibum

I may try a 19 pitch enertia just to see how it does. May lose 200 rpm but probably can get it back wiTh jackplate adjustments. If I make anymore changes I will post. All in all the performance so far is not shabby for a 3400 pound rig.

89checkmate

I'd like to try a 18 or 19 Enertia, I've got a 20 Enertia now that I got the 52.7 with, it was 7 months ago so can't remember what RPM was but I think around 5600, still waiting for the ice to melt around here.

skibum

89checkmate the jackplate has been the biggest reason for improvement. Running the 4 blade 17 I could only turn 5300 rpm wot with plate and motor at current height it added 200 rpm. The enertia prop is just amazinng to me. I thought I would see a little gain in rpm but now motor is running at peak horsepower band. I just wish I had splurged on a power hydraulic jackplate, just for fun