Best Prop for Ranger Fisherman

[edge13]

I'm running a 1992 Ranger Fisherman 690C with a 150hp Optimax. What prop would you suggest for it?

[Paulski67]

I am partial to the High 5 myself, otherwise the Rev 4 is pretty popular.

Not sure about the pitch.

Paulski

[gastay]

Got a 1995 Ranger 180C, which is the 690 hull with a center console liner in it. 150 Evinrude Ocean Pro sitting on a 10" set back jack plate. Rev 4 19P worked over by Mark Croxton. WOT RPMs 5200-5350 depending on weight in the boat and air temps. Center of prop shaft is 2.5" below bottom of hull measured off of a straight edge. Installed "The Edge" hydrofoil on the anti cavitation plate. Top speed is only 45 MPH but the ability to easily handle rough water is my "1 goal. The Rev 4 set back on the jack plate and raised higher than you can mount the engine bolted straight to the transom helps get the whole boat out of the water and I can run down to 17 MPH on plane without issues. Hole shot is very impressive, I mean hang onto something hole shot. I fish big water a lot and want the best ride I can get. Other good props for this hull would include a 21 tempest for a 3 blade, guys with a 175 are happy with a 23P Renegade and many are touting the characteristics of the Bravo LT but most of these guys with the bravo have 4 strokes on newer Rangers. In a nutshell with the front end weight of these older Ranger 690's a 4 or 5 blade prop is a good choice to counter act the tendency to porpoise at cruising speeds. If getting the most speed at the expense of rough water ride is your bag a large diameter 3 blade could be your prop. Good luck with your search.

[gastay]

It would be interesting to know how you other guys with a 690/692 are set up, with HP, prop, engine height, WOT RPM's, speed, hole shot. Or maybe you used to run one, do you remember?

[mcbreth]

Had a 96 with an XR6 150 and ran a High-5. Loved it. 50-52 mph. I can't remember height or RPM....

[Darryl Wray]

I have a 95 180c with a mariner 115hp. Just ordered a 6 inch jack plate for it. My problem is poor hole shot and top speed is only about 37mph but then it starts porpoising real bad and have to trim down to stop it. Has a quicksilver laser 20 prop. Should I look at changing prop also after I get back plate installed and adjusted.

[gastay]

Darryl, The best thing you could do for your boat is start looking for a bigger motor. That hull needs all the HP it can get.

[Darryl Wray]

That was going to be my next thing to do. Thanks.

[REW]

Daryl,
By adding a jackplate with some setback, it is quite likely that you are going to make your porpoising problem worse.

The setback of the jack plate moves the engine further back, which - all other conditions being equal will make your porpoising worse.

With respect to props - you have a big boat with a modest sized engine. 37 mph is a very reasonable speed to get out of this rig.

But, the overall operation of the rig will likely be much better if you go to a 3 blade 17 pitch prop.

You will have a much better hole shot and likely not affect the top seed much if at all.

Normally, a 20 pitch prop on an 18 foot bigger boat with a 115hp is generally too much prop.

p.s.
Do you have a tach so that you can check the engine rpm when running wide open?

[Darryl Wray]

Yes I have a tach. So far the highest rpm I've gotten to is 5100. I know this motor should not be run over 5500.