Paul DeLuca
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- May 30, 2015
- Messages
- 71
I have a 17' Starcraft bowrider with a 3.0L Mercruiser (135hp) Alpha One 2.0 out drive weighing 2330lbs empty. Currently I have a 14" x 19p alloy prop on it. WOT I am hitting 4400 RPM and tops out at 35mph.
From what I've read the RPM's could be a bit higher to put the engine in the optimal performance range and my top speed should be closer to 40mph.
I changed the prop to a 14.5" x 17p to see if I would get better performance and was greatly disappointed. RPM's went up about 200, top speed no change, engine was a lot louder and I lost my nice loose steering. The boat was pulling to the left hard at top speed. So I changed back to the 19p.
Does anyone know if this is the best performance range for this boat/motor/outdrive or is there a better size prop I should be using. Should I go up to a 21p to increase top speed with the loss of a quicker hole shot (which is pretty good right now)?
Oh also how does prop size affect performance? Ex. 14" vs. 14.5"
Thanks!
From what I've read the RPM's could be a bit higher to put the engine in the optimal performance range and my top speed should be closer to 40mph.
I changed the prop to a 14.5" x 17p to see if I would get better performance and was greatly disappointed. RPM's went up about 200, top speed no change, engine was a lot louder and I lost my nice loose steering. The boat was pulling to the left hard at top speed. So I changed back to the 19p.
Does anyone know if this is the best performance range for this boat/motor/outdrive or is there a better size prop I should be using. Should I go up to a 21p to increase top speed with the loss of a quicker hole shot (which is pretty good right now)?
Oh also how does prop size affect performance? Ex. 14" vs. 14.5"
Thanks!
