Thread: Prop pitch???

I would think on a 125hp you would need to be running about a 21 or at best a 23. Sure would think that a 26 was way too much prop for a 125hp. My boat is a Skeeter 18'5" with a 150hp and I am running a 23 pitch ss 3 blade. I know several guys that have 200hp motors that run 25-27 pitch props. What kind of rpm's are you getting at top end? I'm not an expert though, just talking from experience.

26 pitch is way to much.I would say Dux is right with the 21-23 pitch range.Need to figure out your max RPM range on the engine and play with props till you are just below it at wide open throttle with the boat loaded at normal load.

I have heard from another person on here that each pitch is worth 200 rpm. Most motors, from what I have read, need to turn between 4500 and 5500 rpm wide open throttle. I don't know where your rpm's are, but it sounds like you are not too far off in terms of getting it on plane so I would think a couple inches would be plenty. What diameter prop are you running? You can get a steeper pitch with a smaller diameter or a smaller pitch with larget diameter. I think it is rocket science somewhat! lol

I am running at about 5000 RPMs wide open. It just feels so bogged down whenever ots coming out of the hole. Not to mention the added stress that motor is getting. It not too sure about the diameter though. I will have to check it when i get a chance...i wonder what the average diameter for a boat that size...might have to do some

Anyone know a good local place to get a prop?

I just run a 25 pitch Mazco 4 blade on my 175 Merc and it is on a 18 1/2 ft Champion and it runs about 5600 rpm's at wide open throttle. I also think the 21 to 23 would be better suited for you. Would get you out of the hole better and get you more rpm's at wide open throttle which may even get you more top end speed. You can run closer to 5600 rpm's with that motor. I would call or stop in at Pro Choice or Angler's Port in Warsaw. They will be able to help you in selecting the right prop and may even have a used one and may even take yours in on trade. Mercury has a website that you can enter the info for your boat and what prop you have now and what the rpm's are at wide open throttle and it will give you the proper prop in the differant brand names they have. You may google Mercury props and see if you can find it. I would rather have a great hole shot with a loaded boat and give up a few MPH on top speed. But I do not ever run much over 10-12 miles in most tournaments but move around 15-20 times a day from spot to spot. So I like the good hole shot.

I run a 23 on my 18'6" Nitro with a 150. U should def lower the pitch. I think around a 23 would make a world of difference for ya

Yep go to a lower pitch for sure, trust me you don't want a whale tail........you might get by with a 24 but I think 22-23 is going to be more what you want.... EX- Royal Prop Repair & Service Owner..........retired....

Thanks for all the info guys and Jared i will have to try and find that website...sounds like it could be helpful. Now im anxious to get one and see if it really does make a difference because that hole shot is just killin me...