Help with proper prop selection

skibum

Recently purchased a 2013 fundeck 226 re4 with a 2013 yamaha sho/vmax 200 4 stroke. The dealer installed a 15×17 saltwater seriesII yamaha prop on it. I am only getting 5200 rpm at wot at about 44mph on gps. Boat is tremendous out of the hole and pulled me out on slalom at half throttle. I am an ex amateur tournament skier and not easy to get out on a deep water start. What would be a good size prop for good holeshot and topend speed. This boat should run about 50 mph gps proped correctly. The dealer will let me change props at no charge. Just don't want to spend all day experimenting if I can narrow it down to a few sizes. Any advice is greatly appreciated.

Capt_Steve

@skibum ... that sounds like a really accommodating dealer! 

nquirk

@skibum.  You'd have to work with your dealer to figure out the WOT for that engine.  You may be able to stay with a 17 pitch but consider a 4 or 5 blade prop to give you better hole shot.  I get much better performance with my 5 blade for that.

Also, realize that if you change the pitch to give you better hole shot, you'll trade off top end speed which makes me believe the 15x17 is in the right range.  I'm getting 51-52MPH WOT @5800RPMs with a 200HP Mercury so I'd suspect you can change your pitch higher but don't know the top end RPMs that motor produces.

skibum

Recommended wot range is 5800-6000 rpm for the engine. As a skier it has better pull out of the hole than some comp ski boats. Just looking to get some more top end and still be good out of the hole. May be a futile effort but I need to try. Also the currrent prop doesnt lift the boat real well. It planes easy but doesnt lift the bow with trim much. I think I am just used to driving a fast bass rig.

nquirk

skibum

Check this site out.  http://www.mercurymarine.com/propellers/prop-selector/#

It will allow you to select a Mercury prop to get an idea of what you can use to achieve your objective and will allow you to specify details of your engine and boat combination.  It won't be exact but I can tell you I've used it and its been pretty close to bang on for what it reported versus what I've installed.

This will help determine materials, pitch, size and options.  Let us know what it recommends and your decision.

Happy prop shopping.

skibum

Thanka for the link. I will check it out

ssrider

I talked to Hurricane today about what their thoughts are on trim tabs and he told me to look at changing my prop and gave me this link which is very helpfull  http://turningpointpropellers.com/

skibum

Thanks

skibum

Using the merc prop guide, it basically rexommends leaving pitch alone but drop to a 14" to 14.5" diameter prop. I am going to try a 14.25×17 4 blade just for s!#/s and giggles. Will report back when I do it.

nquirk

@skibum.  Look forward to hearing back your results.

@ssrider.  That's a great site for picking props.  I've used it before.  Also, compare it to the Mercury prop site as well.  I prefer the Mercury site as it allows you to pick the style/hull of your boat, and if you have your current WOT/RPM/Speed, you'll get a better accuracy on pitch but both sites will get you in the right range.

skibum

I put a 14.25 ×17 pitch 4 blade solas on today. Turning 5600 wot at 51 mph on gps. I am going to have this prop repitched down to 16 at the end of summer, that should put me right at 5800 rpm wide open. Thanks for all suggestions from everyone.

nquirk

@skibum. glad to hear you're getting there....Now get out on the water and enjoy!

duffshep

Hello! Newby here. Just bought a 231 cc with a 200 yamaha 4 stroke, looking for prop guidance. It currently has a 15p and rpm’s are way high. Thinking of trying a 17 any input would be much appreciated. 

formerlyFlyingV5

skibum, you are on the right track. The standard test is run with a "light boat", meaning one or two persons, no extra gear, less than 1/2 tank of fuel on smooth water. Under those conditions you will see the highest rpm and top speed from any propellor. Be sure to test it like that before you change it again. You may find that last 400 rpm is already there, it won't happen if conditions are less than ideal. If you can get to 6000 rpm, stay with that prop so you won't over rev your engine. If not, drop an inch of pitch.