What about props on smaller motors.

[LundBob]

Since i see all the talk on this board about prop tuning with the bigger motors i know alot of people that read this board probably don't have the bigger engines and are wondering if there are things we can do also.

I have a 2001 SSV-16 with a 2000 Yami 25 Horse 4 Stroke. Last week i built a casting deck in front and it made a world of difference in handling and getting up on a plane. I feel like i'm getting more bite through the waves than just bouncing off them with the added 100 lbs or so that the platform added. If you don't have a casting platform in the front of your fishing boat i strongly recommend building one you will not be sorry.

I just have the factory standard alum prop on my motor but i've seen they do offer a stainless. Is this worthwhile to do on a motor thats only 25 HP? What pitch might be best to try? Does anyone have experience trying diff props with smaller HP motors in general?

Thanks guys!!!

[chadk66]

Actually, prop changes can make a more noticeable difference on smaller engines than big ones. One setback is that there aren't alot of different types of props available for smaller ones. For example, I used to have a 35hp Johnson on a 16' Ranger tiller. I actually own 4 props for it. It came with a 11pitch on it and when the boys and I fished it ran great but lacked top end speed so I figured that I could put on a 13 and it would be great. The spare prop I had was a 13 but beat up pretty bad so I bought a cheap 4 blade composite and put it on and it wouldn't even get up on plane with just me in the boat. So I went back to the 11 pitch. Then later I started taking my step dad out quite a bit and he weighs low 200's and it was a pig with the 11 on so I bought a 9 pitch for when he's going. Needless to say, I did alot of switchin around. I finally gave up and put a bigger motor on. I think that those stainless props for smaller motors would be alright, but I question if it would be much of an improvement over the stock prop. One thing I have noticed with smaller horse motors is that even the smallest ding in the prop will cause a very noticeable change in performance. So stainless might be the way to go because they are more durable. Not sure if I helped you much but just let you know my experience.

[KP]

I have a 30 HP Suzuki 4 Stroke that I have been doing a lot of fine tuning with to get the most out of a small motor. Do you have a Tachometer? If you don't and you really want to squeeze the most out of what you got, your going to need one. You have to know what RPM your currently turning at WOT and work from there. You motor spec gives you a range from 5500 +/- to 6000 +/- and you want to be turning it in the upper range. Have you tried raising the motor on the transom? I have a Lund Rebel 16 which is virtually the same boat as yours. I raised my motor 1 1/2" (or two holes) and picked up several hundred RPM's and a couple MPH because I had reduced my drag. The RPM increase allowed me to move up from a 12 to a 13 pitch prop. That gained me several more MPH. I own an 11 pitch prop I use for full loads or moderate loads in rough water. A 12 pitch for all around performance, and a 13 so I can really fly wih just me in the boat.

KP