2007 Opti - what prop?

[stratos bandit]

I have a 2000 Nitro 901CDX with a 2007 Merc OptiMax 200.  I bought it about a month ago.  When I first looked at the boat at the dealer, it didn't have a prop at all but they said they were installing a new stainless prop before sale.

I think the prop sucks.  The boat barely hits 60mph at 5700rpm.  I just think the prop is some cheap, generic knock off.  It has no markings on it.

I would like to increase the speed.  I don't have alot of lakes I fish that require long runs so mpg isn't a big concern.

Any suggestions on a good prop for speed that doesn't completely tank the mpg?

[Creel Limit Zero]

What is the pitch and number of blades on the particular prop you have now.  Might help direct you to the right prop.  I'm not a big prop guy, but I started using a Fury a couple of years ago and do not think I'll change it up.  I even rehubbed my prop to go on my new Evinrude last year when I replaced out my blown EFI.   

[stratos bandit]

I don't see any markings on the prop to tell me anything.  Where are they typically located?

[Creel Limit Zero]

No idea with an after market prop.  Give the dealer a call, they should know something about the prop they put on there.  Does it have a jack plate, since you are turning 5700, you can get a little more with another prop, but I believe Max RPM's for that motor is 5750, so without moving the location of the prop and turning the same RPM's, you won't get much.  Do you have any measurements below pad the prop is set at?

If you can raise the prop, you can get some more RPM's with the current prop, which you do not want to do since you are at max.  But raising the prop you might be able to turn a bigger prop and get a higher top end.    

[stratos bandit]

I have a 10" manual jack plate.

I figured out how to measure the pad, can't do it tonight, will try tomorrow.

[stratos bandit]

Ok....so I measured my prop to pad and it's 2.5".  The bottom of my hull was 15.5" and the center shaft of my prop to ground was 13".

I believe I have read in the past that the ideal zone is 3" - 3.5".  Is this correct?

[stratos bandit]

Here is something else I've noticed, when getting on plane, if I accelerate too quickly, I can hear the prop kinda "spin out" and the motor will rev up a little.  If I accelerate smoothly, this does not happen.

Is this because the motor is too high and looses grip a little when on plane?

[Ron Fogelson]

Nitros are slow, they just are.

A few things to note, most of the 9's I.E. 901, 929, 911 run best with a Trophy, Tempest or Furry.

Coming up on the motor doesn't always mean more top end,,,,, you have to have enough prop in the water to pick up and keep the front of the boat out of water.

If you are having blow out getting on plane it could be too high, it could be a sign to use a bigger prop or go from a 3 blade to a 4 or it could be that the vent holes if your prop has them need to be adjusted.  My 929 with a 225 turns a 26 pitch tempest plus with one vent open, and the other two vent holes have the smallest opening plug at 3.5 no blow out at 3.25 blowout and lost water pressure in a turn.

Based on the load of the boat, I.E. live wells full, fuel full, tackle full, light or none, a 24v TM or 36v TM with 2 or 3 batteries all play a factor on how you get her set up.  IMHO most dealers set up boats for a good all around ride,,,, an ok hole shot, ok top end and ok handling.  Than based on the owner he/she needs to dial it in to what they want most.

[stratos bandit]

I lowered my jackplate a half inch to get my pad measurement from 2.5 to 3".  I will see what that does.  I'm not even sure if the prop they put on it even has vent holes.

[Ron Fogelson]

is it a 3 or 4 blade?

[stratos bandit]

3

[Ron Fogelson]

Without knowing what prop, how the boat is loaded or anything it's still my opinion that 2.5 was too high.

Keep playing with it and you will find the best spot for that prop,,, now if you change props you are going to have to start over 

[Ron Fogelson]

3

A 3 blade tends to be best for top end and a 4 blade will give you more lift and bite in the water allowing you to turn sharpers and at a higher speed. 

This is all subjective because a prop is like your car tires, rear end & trany all rolled into one.  There can be a big difference between how any boat performs just by swapping props around.

[stratos bandit]

I am working at posting a pic of my prop.

[stratos bandit]

Here is the profile view of it.  Seems small to me.

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[stratos bandit]

another view......vent hole?

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[Ron Fogelson]

another view......vent hole?

Yes looks like one,,,,, the ones on a trophy plus or tempest plus are much bigger and have different ring plugs to put in to change the size "close or open the hole"

[stratos bandit]

How on earth does one go about selecting a new prop?  Even if I decide to switch to a tempest plus, they go from 17-29 in pitch.  How does one know what pitch would work best?

[Ron Fogelson]

Talk to a prop or set up guy who works on nitros.

Where did you get the boat from?

I would say a 23 or 24 tempest would do well,,,,, if you have a good relation with a marina you can often use a prop and bring it back if you need to go up or down in pitch but know if you nick it even a bit to include sand groves you bought it.   

Also talk with some local anglers and see what they have and run a few different ones to see what works best.  But for most Nitro's with a Merc they run a tempest or now a furry.

[stratos bandit]

Well, the only relation I have with my marina is a love/hate relation.  I love to go fishin' but hate the $15-$30 launch fees.

As far as talking to other anglers, I only know 1 other guy with a bass boat and it's running an old 88 Mariner.

I need to get in a bass club and start networking my fishing ops.

Thanks for all your input Fogy.

[Ron Fogelson]

Sure thing,.... let us know what you end up doing 

[stratos bandit]

I was able to find some markings on the inside of the hub....it reads.

M14 1/4 X 24 Turbo

No idea what that means......

[Ron Fogelson]

Got you PM sorry I over looked that you posted the here.   

Looks like you have a 14 & 1/4 diameter prop in 24 pitch.

Using the spare prop from your friend is IMHO a big step down,,,, your RPM's will go up, your hole shot should be better but I don't think you will see any gain on top end - unless the 24 pitch you have is unable to life the boat and carry the load up on plane.  I.E. if the 24 pitch can't lift the boat out of the water all the way to let it run on pad than dropping down in size will help in that aspect or going to a 4 blade prop will help.  A standard rule is if you run a 24 3 blade you will want to look at a 22 pitch 4 blade but nothing is set in stone, all boats, motors, the load and the driver of the boat play a big part in the overall set up.

[stratos bandit]

No problem Fogy, I'm just super appreciative your feedback.   

I'm starting to get the feeling that the prop I have is "good enough".  It gets it up on plane just fine, I just thought that a 19ft boat with a 2007 200hp Merc would move faster.  I guess if I really think about it.....top end really isn't that big of a deal.  Even if it would go 70mph.....I'd still probably only run it in the 50's like I do now.

Besides, keeping it will save me $400-$500.   

I will probably keep the "spare" prop on board as a backup in case something happens to the primary prop.

[Ron Fogelson]

Yep that and an extra hub kit and you will be good to go just in case but make sure to watch your RPMs