What is the best overall prop for my boat?
 

I finally found an affordable, complete used outdrive I'm going to look at tomorrow and hopefully come home with. It is an Alpha l. I have a 1977 V-20 cuddy with an in-line 6 cylinder. I will mainly use the boat for fishing and some pleasure riding with the wife. What would be the best prop size/pitch to use on this boat. I would like to get up on plane quicker and not worry as much about top speed. Thanks again for ya'lls help.

It's impossible to tell Money... what size is the engine? How many HP?

Generally, as a starting point, I'd go with either a 17 or a 19 pitch prop... but there are so many variables.... For right now why not just use the prop that's on the outdrive and see how it works... that will be your starting off point. Then let us know what your speed was at WOT (Wide open throttle) and we can advise you further from there.

start out with aluminum wheels till you get a good feel of what pitch you need, then if you can find a Mirage prop to try, I'd sugest a 17 pitch. The 165 six doesn't need to be spun at high rpm(4400 is about right), it makes a lot of torque, the Mirage would be a good prop for you. If you can't find a Mirage, look for a large diameter, large blade surface prop.

What he said, a MIRAGE, APOLLO large diamter, or any of teh 15-15 1/2" diameter props would work best for cruise and low RPM efficiency. You do sacrifice some top end with them, but the added cruise efficiency makes up for it.