Propeller Set-up

[Ricky Pye]

I just bought a 170cc with a 75 Honda four stroke. I would like to know the best propeller for my outfit. Mostly fish but occasionally pull skiers with three or more in the boat.

[Genelie]

choosing the propper prop to some people is easy, and to others such as myself..a pain and confusing. With prop selection it is a trial and error. The problem, props are not cheap, who wants to buy one only to find out it does not do what you want, then you are stuck with it.....So as for my boat, what it came with is what it will keep, I had whole shot problems, so I added one of those hydro foil things on the lower unit. If wanted to have even more performance, then my next step would be to put in trim tabs. But I do not feel the need yet for those.

[NCangler]

My dealer (Merritt Marine) allowed me to try a couple different props to get the one I liked. You can't beat the support of a good dealer!

[Putershark]

I would pull a site search (bottom of the home page) on Props and also you may want to read this thread on that very same subject Pro Pulse Propellers

Let us know how you make out

Dave

[woodNfish]

I'm with Genelie, I stuck with the prop that the dealer put on my boat, and it was a good one until I bent it. Then I bought another similar to it, but the newer props have modular hubs. I'll be trying it out for the first time in the next week or so. (There is still ice on some of the ponds around here.)

However, Genelie, I don't think trim tabs are going to do anything for speed or hole shot. They are for leveling an unevenely loaded boat.

Ricky Pye, if you look back in the 170 series forum you will find a thread or two on propellers and performance. That should be useful to you, but with your 75hp engine you should be able to do around 40 mph with your boat. Of course your 4 stroke is heavier than my 2 stroke 75 hp engine, but I could do about 42- 43mph with my old prop. (3 bladed aluminum). Look back in the forums to find diameter and pitch.

Good luck,

woodNfish

[suitekids]

A good all around prop for your boat/motor combo is a 13-1/4 x 17, I have a similar set-up myself, I've done some mods and swing a bigger prop on mine now, but, you won't be dissapointed in the prop I mentioned, worked perfectly for us.

[woodNfish]

What kind of prop is on your engine now, Ricky Pye? I have a 75hp Mercury and my new replacement prop is a 13 1/4" 19 pitch. Runs great too. I had it up to 43mph last night. Probably could have gone faster if I'd played with the trim a bit more, but I was happy with the performance because I was able to cruise at 35mph with only about 2200 rpm. Honda and your dealer should be able to give you a range of props and suggestions depending on what you want to do.

My new prop is a Hustler - yo might give them a look. I bought it off the iboat.com website.

woodNfish