PROP Choice

L

LIGrady

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Joined
Apr 18, 2024
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Age
49
Model
Escape
Purchased a 1997 209 Escape 4 years ago. My first boat. It has a 1997 150 HP Yamaha salt water series 2 stroke.
Boat is in great condition. Motor runs excellent. In chop boat struggles to stay on plane unless running at high speeds and tends to slap verse cut through the water. I hear the SeaV2 hull is supposed to be amazing. On a flat day, at best, trimmed properly, my WOT is 4900 to 5000 rpm. 17 pitch prop. Is this setup correct? Should I run a 15 pitch prop? 4 blade? Any suggestions would be appreciated!
 
It might very well be the stock prop and then it "should" give you better performance. But you need to ID the prop for us.

WOT is low... unless you've running heavy - please clarify.

Can you better explain "trimmed properly"?

Clarify your speed/RPM/trim/conditions regarding your staying on plane comment.

Where is the anti-ventilation plate vs the bottom of the keel?

Is the hull perfectly clean?

Do you have trim tabs and do you use them?
 
All the Prop has Etch on it is 17P, nothing else. I could measure the diameter next time I am at the marina.

WOT is low... unless you've running heavy - please clarify. - We almost always run with full 80 gallons of fuel and a minimum of 2-4 adults plus 35 quart ice cooler - so essentially moderate to heavily loaded with gear.

Can you better explain "trimmed properly"? - Once on plane motor will be trimmed to achieve peak RPM. With the hole shot motor is completely against the transom.

Clarify your speed/RPM/trim/conditions regarding your staying on plane comment. On a flat day speed maxes 32-34 mph, WOT 4900-5000, Trimmed

Where is the anti-ventilation plate vs the bottom of the keel? - Anti-ventilation plate is approximately level with the keel

Is the hull perfectly clean? - PERFECLTY Clean

Do you have trim tabs and do you use them? - No trim tabs
 
Cool - thank you for the detail. That helps by giving us more detail.

Try this: go out with just yourself on a relatively calm day. Go WOT and KEEP trimming up till speed no longer increases or the prop starts to ventilate. THAT'S the way to find your true max RPM. And while you probably won't do that very often - it's a good data point to ensure the engine is running healthy.

So, you're "touching" into your max RPM range, so that's good. And, likely, you'll find that when you're not running heavy, you may get 5,500 or even a tad more.

But, I agree with your line of thinking that you should prop the boat based on how you run the boat MOST of the time. Maybe a 4-blade 16" would do it... often it's trial and error. But give Prop Gods a call - I've never needed to use them - but a lot of people rave about them and how helpful they are.

Even more than a prop, though... you would really benefit from installing tabs. But a much less expensive option than full-on tabs is a Smart Tabs - they're $200-some bucks and take only about an hour to install... all on the outside of the boat... no electricity or wiring of any kind. They just always work - they will make your boat feel like a completely different boat during hole shot and choppy water handling. I've put these on family boats, customers boats... lot's of boats. You'd be REALLY happy with these.
 
Thank you!!! I will consider all options... the tabs, calling the prop gods, new prop, etc. Thank you again!
 
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