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Prop for pontoon


mountaindew

Question

Hello all!

I've got a question. I've used the same prop for the past year. I'm ok with it. I have this 20 foot pontoon with a 1983-84? - Not sure what year, 50hp Mercury it came with the pontoon when I got it.

My question is that I'd like to get a good propeller for my pontoon. The thing is that I don't know, or I don't understand how the diameater, pitch, and the whole thing works...what's on right now is ok..I just believe that I can get it going a bit faster..Just over the weekend I was able to pull a tube barely, and the rpm showed that I was at 6,000. Just telling you what the rpm says.

Not sure what I know about the motor, all I know is that it's an Thunderbolt Mercury 50 hp. and I would like to know what is the BEST choice of prop to use for a pontoon for speed and all around prop. rolleyes.gif Sorry for the stupid questions. I wanted to make sure I understand before I go off spending money on something that I don't know weather it will work or not. Not only that, I should have wrote down the demensions from the prop that's on right now...I'm at my office. Will post it tonight as soon as I get home.

Meanwhile while I wait for the day to be over, what's your feedback on the prop for pontoons in the 50 hp range?

mountaindew

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Ok, your prop is too small (pitch) for your boat.

The 10P means 10" pitch. 6,000rpm are way too many for your motor. I would suggest to try a 15" or 17" pitch, you will loose take off,,but you will gain speed. Try some sizes until you reach 5,500rpm max.

------------------
Val Vignati

www.kvesurplus.com
[email protected]

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Val,

Thanks for the reply. I misread the information on top, instead the first number 1 it's an 4..this is the correct numbers - 48 73132 A4 10P. It was very hard to read on the prop.

And the motor, it's an 1983 Thunderbolt Ignition Mercury 50hp.

I found the manual for the motor on line and downloaded the pdf of it. Turns out the WOT (Wide Open Throttle) is 5000-5500.

Is there a prop you can recommend? Not sure what size the cupping I should get or all the extra features on the prop for a pontoon boat.

I have no idea what to look for. Any information would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

Mountaindew

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i am in the process of setting up my pontoon with the correct prop right now.it is a 24 foot crestliner. it came to me with a 12p prop that was pretty beat up, so i took the prop off of the other motor i have. they are both forty horse merc's one is a 78, and the other is a 81. the prop i put on is a 10p. it is way to tight. i can get only 12 mph with it, and without a tach the motor is screaming. i then got a 14p prop. way to high geared. the motor was doggy, and my top speed was only 9.something.
i am getting the 12p prop rebuilt, and suspect i will be right in the ball park.
it is kinda nice if you know someone that has some props, and a close water access to try each one out.
in a month or so i will be going through the same thing with the lund i am rebuilding that i got from valv. i will be increasing to a fifty horse merc, on a sixteen foot tiller model. i'm thinking a 12p to a 14p?
we'll see.
good luck. enjoy your time on the water smile.gif

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an "all chapters, charter member" jigglestick I.B.O.T.#5 have you clamped today???

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