V20 with a 140 johnson

[THEFERMANATOR]

A 17 pitch is to much prop for a 140 on a V-20. You're KILLING that engine with that prop, not figuritively either, actually killing it. Lugging that engine is the number 1 way to DESTROY it. You want it to turn at least 5600 WOT with an average load in it, but I used to turn mine 5900-6000 routinely. I found overpropping killed the economy on that engine as well, it does NOT like to be lugged. With a 140 on a V-20, your cruise numbers are going to involve some RPM's. I would look into a 4 blade to get some blade surface area to help with the mid range cruise, while still allowing it to turn RPM's at WOT. You need a prop to minimize prop slip as much as possible. A 15 pitch 3 blade stainless would be a good compromise prop. And I wouldn't hesitate to turn that engine up to 4400 at cruise. I found 3800 was about as slow as you wanted to turn it at cruise to get good economy.