Prop Selection

[THEFERMANATOR]

Your current prop crosses over to a entry level, 3 blade, 18 pitch aluminum prop. Most any 3 blade cheap stainless prop in a 17 pitch would be a good choice for that engine to start with. Anytime you change props, even to a prop of the same part number, you can change your wide open RPM's or top speed.

I've had good luck with Solas props in the past. For a good all around prop they do pretty good, so far all of them I've run have run smooth, and they're cheap. A 17 pitch in the 13 1/2" to 14" diameter and 3 blades would be a good all round prop.

Larger diameter props have there pros and cons, but the larger diameter normally gives decreased prop slippage so much so you have to step down in pitch to keep your wide open throttle rpm's up. 4 blades give reduced prop slippage, normally provide better cruise speeds at a given rpm, but you normally(but not always) lose some top end speed(but some boats see an increase because the prop just works better with the boat).

Propping is an artform mixxed with some guessing, and some voodoo to get what you're after. What is ideal for one person may not work for another in the same boat. All you can do is try props until you find the one that works the best, and hope you do it in as few tries as possible.