Honda Prop ??

[LoonASea]

I have a Honda 50 on the back of a 16 ft lund My current prop is a 10 1/2 X 13 ,,,wot hits 6000 RPMs which is within the specs range (5500-6000),,,I would like to get down closer to 5700/5800 RPMs ,,,any recomendations increase dia or increase pitch??,,,currently my top speed is adequate but my hole shot leaves something to be desired

any input would be appreciated

Randoid

[marine_man]

If you increase pitch you'll decrease your RPMS (is the only reason you want to do this because you want to increase your holeshot?) but you're holeshot will get worse. If you decrease your pitch your RPM's will go higher, but you'll have better holeshot.

I'd try a larger diameter prop to help out your holeshot, but first off, what's the balance like in your boat? Do you have a lot of weight in the back and none up front? That's more than likely the culprit...

marine_man

[Whoaru99]

Yup, probably due mostly to weight/balance.

For some applications (normally more high performance) you can get a prop with a ventilated hub. This actually causes the prop to cavitate a bit when you first can it to get the RPMS to ramp up faster.

[Northlander]

Randy you dont travel light thats for sure. Im trying to get some info for ya but Jays # is always bussy.

[LoonASea]

Steve

Are You implying I should loose some weight ,,,or take some stuff out of my boat???

I will take a look at how well the weight is balanced in the boat ,,I have one battery in the front ,,life jackets ,rain gear ,one anchor, and some plastics ,,in the back is my starting battery ,, 2 anchors,,19 gallon gas tank ,,and my electronics ,,and then there is the tackle boxes which are stratigicaly placed all over

Randoid

[marine_man]

You've got a 19 gallon gas tank in a 16' boat? Between that and the added weight of the 4 stroke it isn't too suprising that you have a holeshot problem...

I'd try and move some weight around... the gas tank if at all possible...

marine_man

[LoonASea]

the gas tank is built in,,, its a 05 Lund Explorer and for the most part it has never been filled,,, I add 6 gal when it gets down to 1/4 tank,,,I may have to re arrange a few items to balance it out some ,,,planing out seems worse when my livewell is full which is in the front of the boat

Randoid

[marine_man]

Understood on the fuel tank.. I guessed, based on the volume, that it could be built in, but thought I'd point it out just in case.

Anyway, before I would move equipment around I'd try having someone sit in the front of the boat as you take off and see if that improves things.

One other possibility is what hole is your motor mounted in? You might get some better holeshot if that it is a little lower, which would only be possible if the motor was mounted up on hole. Also, verify if the cavitation plate is even with the bottom of the boat...

You are trimming the motor all the way down during hole shots, right?

marine_man

[LoonASea]

well I got out on the water yesterday ,,,and trimming my motor all the way down sure helped my hole shot ,,,stopped at a local prop repair shop to pick his brain and he suggested going from a 10 1/2 x 13 to a 10 3/8 x 14 but also said talk to the dealer and if the prop didnt hit any thing and looked good as new that I could bring it back no charge ,,,it is a Hustler prop with a Turning Point hub,,,in his opinion a 1 inch increase in pitch would drop me 200 RPMs,,,I did notice alone and with one other person in the boat my WOT still gets up to 6000 RPMs so load doesn't slow the motor but drops a few MPH at top speed ,,,I did search the web and a new Hustler prop runs about $60 + S&H it may not be a bad idea to have a spare

thanks for all the input

Randoid

[marine_man]

Why do you want to drop your RPM's?

marine_man

[LoonASea]

Just peace of mind that Im not running that close to REDLINE,,I know there is built in protection for over revving the motor ,,My intent was to get some options over the prop I am currently using,,, as this is the only prop I have ever had on the motor and wanted to know if there would be any performance gain/loss by changing props ,,,,I do troll with it a lot but have drift socks to slow me down when needed ...Marineman I do appreciate Your input

Randoid

[MNice]

Maybe just not run it at WOT?? Quick & easy way to drop RPM

[Whoaru99]

Hmmm... I understand that running near max RPM just doesn't seem right But, that is the recommendation of all marine engine mfg's I know of - to prop so that you run at those high RPMs when you are wide open with your "normal" load.

[marine_man]

Understood... just curious...

As Whoareu stated, you won't do any damage by running at the upper end of the recommended RPM range... redline (where the rev limiter actually kicks in) is a little higher than that.

Good Luck!

marine_man