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Hi,
I’m new to Band of Boaters. I’m here because I’ve been told that this is the place to go for the best, most knowledgeable advice on buying a new prop. I’ve been researching online but have lots of questions about matching diameter and pitch to get the performance characteristics I want.
Sorry for the long note but I figured the more info the better.
What I have is a 2002 22’ WA with a 2003 Yamaha SX200TXRB. My current aluminum prop has numerous dings, is pretty pitted and now has a bent blade. The only indicator I can find on the prop is “17M”. I assume the “17” is the pitch but wasn’t able to find what the “M” means; rotation indicator? The diameter is 14-1/4” or 14-1/2”.
The engine specs say that WOT rpm range is 4500 - 5500. I haven’t been able to use the boat for the last two seasons but before that, when I ran it at WOT (prior to the bent blade), I believe I was getting around 4200 rpm, maybe I hit 4500 but certainly not above that. Speed was around 35 mph. This was on a calm river with very slow current. Numbers were pretty similar on a calm sea. From what I’ve read, at WOT the rpm should be at, or a bit above, the midpoint of the WOT range.
I do pretty much all my boating in Nantucket Sound off of Yarmouth, MA which can get pretty choppy in the afternoon. I don’t tow skiers or wakeboarders so getting the quickest hole shot is not a performance priority. Speed is nice but I do not need to squeeze that last one or two extra mph out of the boat. Instead, what I am looking for is a prop that will help provide a decent ride, good maneuverability, help get and keep the boat up on plane in rougher water and increase fuel efficiency. I would sacrifice some fuel efficiency for better ride and maneuverability.
I’m hoping I can find a dealer near me that will allow me to test different props but I’m not sure where to start. I’m thinking that the old prop may be the one that the boat came with. It looks 20 yeas old.
As a baseline, should I start by testing a stainless prop with the same diameter and pitch and see how it runs? If I’m still getting around the same rpm’s at WOT should I drop the pitch to, say, a 15 to raise the rpm?
What characteristics of a prop help with handling in rougher water and maneuverability?
Thanks for any help.
I’m new to Band of Boaters. I’m here because I’ve been told that this is the place to go for the best, most knowledgeable advice on buying a new prop. I’ve been researching online but have lots of questions about matching diameter and pitch to get the performance characteristics I want.
Sorry for the long note but I figured the more info the better.
What I have is a 2002 22’ WA with a 2003 Yamaha SX200TXRB. My current aluminum prop has numerous dings, is pretty pitted and now has a bent blade. The only indicator I can find on the prop is “17M”. I assume the “17” is the pitch but wasn’t able to find what the “M” means; rotation indicator? The diameter is 14-1/4” or 14-1/2”.
The engine specs say that WOT rpm range is 4500 - 5500. I haven’t been able to use the boat for the last two seasons but before that, when I ran it at WOT (prior to the bent blade), I believe I was getting around 4200 rpm, maybe I hit 4500 but certainly not above that. Speed was around 35 mph. This was on a calm river with very slow current. Numbers were pretty similar on a calm sea. From what I’ve read, at WOT the rpm should be at, or a bit above, the midpoint of the WOT range.
I do pretty much all my boating in Nantucket Sound off of Yarmouth, MA which can get pretty choppy in the afternoon. I don’t tow skiers or wakeboarders so getting the quickest hole shot is not a performance priority. Speed is nice but I do not need to squeeze that last one or two extra mph out of the boat. Instead, what I am looking for is a prop that will help provide a decent ride, good maneuverability, help get and keep the boat up on plane in rougher water and increase fuel efficiency. I would sacrifice some fuel efficiency for better ride and maneuverability.
I’m hoping I can find a dealer near me that will allow me to test different props but I’m not sure where to start. I’m thinking that the old prop may be the one that the boat came with. It looks 20 yeas old.
As a baseline, should I start by testing a stainless prop with the same diameter and pitch and see how it runs? If I’m still getting around the same rpm’s at WOT should I drop the pitch to, say, a 15 to raise the rpm?
What characteristics of a prop help with handling in rougher water and maneuverability?
Thanks for any help.
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