Need help selecting a prop

[gpag]

Hi,
I need some help on selecting a new prop. Following is as much pertinent information I can think of that might help.

I have a very old and beat up aluminum 3 blade prop on a Yamaha 2003 SX 200TXRB. The boat is a 2002 Seapro 220 WA. The boat, motor and full fuel weigh 4250 lbs The only indicator I can find on the prop is “17M”. I assume 17 is the pitch, do t know what the “M” is. I’m fairly certain the diameter is 14-1/2”. The engine specs say that WOT rpm range is 4500 - 5500. I haven’t been able to use the boat for the last two seasons but before that, when I ran it at WOT, I believe I as getting around 4200 rpm, maybe I hit 4500 but certainly not above that. Speed was around 36 mph. This was on a calm river with very slow current. Numbers were pretty similar on a calm sea. The prop is pretty dinged up so that may have affected things.

I do not tow skiers or wakeboarders so hole shot is not a priority in a new prop. I do pretty much all my boating in Nantucket Sound off of Yarmouth, MA which can get pretty choppy in the afternoon. Speed is nice but I do not need to squeeze that last one or two extra mph out of the boat. Instead, what I am looking for is a prop diameter and pitch that will provide a decent ride, good maneuverability, help get and keep the boat up on plane in rougher water and increase fuel efficiency. I would sacrifice some fuel efficiency for better ride and maneuverability.

I’m leaning towards stainless but I don’t know if it would make a significant enough change to justify the investment.

I know that all these requirements are dependent on a lot more factors than the prop.

So, what’s the Magic 8 ball say?

Thanks

[Juan]

To get started I'd suggest using an online prop selector. Google prop selector. There are several. That way you can select a prop based on the boat's weight, motor size, etc. I'd go with stainless for better performance unless you boat in areas with rocks or debris you could hit. Then I'd buy the prop from a dealer who will let you trial run it and will exchange it for another size or make should it not put your boat near the recommended rpm at WOT. All props can act differently even the same make and size prop on the same boat so it's a trial and error adventure chosing the right prop.

[gnrphil]