Boat Propeller Pitch Explained - How To Select the Right Prop | EP 33

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Join Captain Mike today in the stunning waters of Biscayne Bay as he delves into the basics of selecting the right propeller for your boat. Propeller selection is crucial for optimizing your boat's performance and fuel efficiency, and Captain Mike is here to guide you through the process.
1. **Understanding Propeller Pitch**: Captain Mike starts by explaining the concept of propeller pitch, which refers to the distance a propeller would move forward in one revolution if it were moving through a solid material. Propeller pitch directly affects the boat's speed and acceleration: a higher pitch propeller will provide greater speed but slower acceleration, while a lower pitch propeller will offer quicker acceleration but lower top speed.
2. **Assessing Boat Performance**: Captain Mike shares his experience of changing out his boat's propeller and the reasons behind it. He discusses how factors such as engine horsepower, boat weight, and desired performance goals influence propeller selection. By testing different propellers, Captain Mike demonstrates the impact of pitch on acceleration, top speed, and fuel consumption.
3. **Trial and Error**: Captain Mike emphasizes the importance of experimentation and testing when selecting a propeller. He explains that every boat is unique, and the optimal propeller will depend on a variety of factors specific to each vessel. By conducting several test runs with different propellers, Captain Mike illustrates how small adjustments can make a significant difference in overall performance.
4. **Safety Considerations**: Throughout the demonstration, Captain Mike prioritizes safety, ensuring that all tests are conducted in a controlled environment with proper safety precautions in place. He highlights the importance of following manufacturer guidelines and consulting with experienced professionals when making changes to your boat's propulsion system.
5. **Final Selection**: After thorough testing and evaluation, Captain Mike ultimately selects the propeller that best meets his boat's performance needs and goals. He discusses how the chosen propeller provides the ideal balance of speed, acceleration, and fuel efficiency for his specific boating activities.
By sharing his expertise and practical insights, Captain Mike equips viewers with the knowledge and confidence to select the right propeller for their own boats. Whether cruising leisurely through calm waters or racing across open seas, choosing the right propeller is essential for unlocking your boat's full potential and enhancing your boating experience.
#boat
#propeller
#fishing
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[@ReelReports]

Happy New Year! Wishing everyone a great one in 2022!

[@thilltony3362]

You want to prop for your full typical load. You should go back to the prop shop and swap out for an 18P of the same prop. You were into the 5500 range, but that is a bit low for that engine, especially since you didn't seem to have a load of people with coolers, tackle bags, full livewells and so on. With two people and full livewells, try to get in the 5900 range. Then when fully loaded you will end up in the 55-5600 range. Propped right, you will get about the same top speed, but won't be lugging the motor as much, and the engine will breathe easier. With that 19P, when loaded heavy, you will probably be in the 5200 range. Getting toward the top of your RPM range makes for less wear and longer life. Imagine starting your truck out in 2nd gear at every stop sign. Your Raptor can do that easily with the power it makes, but imagine the extra wear on the engine and transmission. This is the same in principle. Everyone is telling you to shoot for as close to 6K as you can because we want to see you do well with your new ride.

[@bigdghost3319]

18 pitch you need max rated RPM/ close as possible - to prolong the life of the motor...... But hey it's your boat...... Happy to see you back, love your video's.....

[@reelcs]

Capt Mike … it was good seeing you out there and thx for including my classic 89’ contender at the end! Unicorn no doubt brother! Points to ponder if not already …. average boater unless you are a bass fisherman runs less than 10-15% of time at W.O.T. and above ~45-55%+ at cruise, so you dialed it in nicely … remember you had no gear, passengers or head wind/waves of any significance or full live wells, so 19P is better. Mercury Marine has always preferred to prop at higher rpm range rather than lower more for internal combustion reason ie. Detonation etc as boaters would overload boats lug and slow piston speed, not much to worry though with electronic control technology on outboards today. Anyway I would bet on average operator will not perceive a loss or gain of 1-2 mph unless you are looking at those fancy gauges ;-) . Similar to Realestate on this one application,application,application! You nailed it!

[@alwayssharp]

Thank you, clearly described and informational.

[@aloissuter1071]

Glad to see ya Captian. Hope everything has been good.

[@ernestochaparro8751]

Thank God you are back brother !

[@oldphilosopher9143]

Mike, I noticed a little porpoising on the boat as you accelerated and went to a higher speed. I cured mine by using the engine trim out 1-2 degrees while watching the speed and consumption. It may help you with smoothing out the ride if you want to eliminate the bouncing. I tighten the engine down when I'm going trolling speeds. Just a thought! Tight Lines, fair winds

[@davidapple7861]

As usual, great video Mike. Informative for all to understand. The short clip of your pulling your boat....no tie downs on the rear of the boat. Be safe buddy. David A.

[@williamdenham8018]

After watching so many videos on props I get yours...awesome vid! I know nothing and learning but at least you helped me 'experience' the ride!

[@VizagFish]

Congratulations And Happy New Year 2022

[@markstrober3487]

Very good informative video. I have been experimenting with different pitch's on my boat

[@Lazzoboy]

Super clean instruction.

[@RStout59]

Unless I misunderstood, I think you need the 18" pitch. Full of water and few fat anglers will make the 18 shine.

[@ReelReports]

Agreed. I would like to try the 18.5" pitch ECO XP.

[@chuckdepue4303]

@@ReelReports AND explore 4 blades

[@RStout59]

Forgot to say I'm glad your back posting. Thought you might have been sick or worse.

[@benskai2475akurfishing]

Greetings coming from Indonesia, Aru Maluku Islands and healthy greetings, always thank you, senior, for the information about supporting equipment for ship and boat decisions and it is very important for anglers' activities because this is all closely related.

[@guntherhelmbrecht4919]

nice video cap! i have a 18ft rib with a suzuki df115 what prop do you recommend? thanks in advance

[@stevenratcliff8956]

I’d like to see what a 20 bravo would do. A bravos Holeshot usually can’t be beat and they cruise fast on a lot of hulls

[@offshoreandoutdoors]

I'm curious what the df 350 would have done on that boat, my Mako 254 is alot heaveir hull, i have a big ttop, same livewell, and carry 240gls fuel. Yesterday running will full coolers ice 150gls fuel i was getting 51@6k, seeing 2.8-9 mpg cruising 38-39 3mp @34mph. But the holeshot is amazing without tabs, 40mph around 5-6secs. Happy new year capt Mike and looking forward to more great content! 3mpg @ 40 is definetly robbing the fuel dock!

[@Aaron.Davis56]

If it makes you happy, it's worth it. Happy 2022!

[@john_rocks_jax]

Try that 18 pitch had to go down two pitch sizes to get max rpm out of my Yamaha when I first got it trial n error.

[@timross7046]

Great video . Wish some one would address altitude problems and cures ?

[@juliooliveros3984]

Awesome!!! Let’s drag race!!! Lol great video brother!

[@Captchriscamacho]

I’m gonna take you up on that race offer!

[@DieselLegiance]

I have a 2010 Bentley 240 pontoon with a 2010 Mercury 90hp 2-stroke. My WOT rpm is around 5300. My current prop is 13-3/4 with a 15 pitch. Do you think there is another prop I can use to gain more speed for pulling tubes? Some have recommended going with a 14-1/2 and maybe a 16 pitch. Any thoughts?

[@81scoops]

I have a boat very similar to yours in size (might be a little bit heavier ) as well with a 300 Verrado… I’m running a 14x18P gets out of the hole well but barely gets 40 mph… I’m thinking of putting a 15”x18P…. (1” bigger) what can I expect?? A few more mph and better RPM at mid range… what are your thoughts?

[@petermavus4131]

Where you been?

[@customledandfiberopticsinc2756]

You beat me to it!! no content at all in a long time.

[@drunkensith6903]

if i may i would like to suggest you get a floscan for real time gallons per hour fuel burn

[@SFROutdoors]

How is it possible that you get better mileage out of your boat than my 17ft bay boat

[@FT86TT]

how much fuel did you have?

[@dchas4842]

Good info man. You might miss a cushion on the leaning post cruising at 40.

[@ReelReports]

Planning on swapping the leaning post this year.

[@reelcs]

Mike have Shane build you a leaning post tackle station w/prep table and so forth. I would like that for the contender!

[@FT86TT]

How much fuel did you have?

[@firefightergarcia]

theres nothing better than a great day on the water.

[@ReelReports]

Amen

[@Aaron.Davis56]

Bird was like, no line at the buffet ... LOL

[@jeffpickett6169]

Mike is your verado a 25” or a 30” shaft?

[@ReelReports]

30”

[@jakegalindo8834]

So in theory, if the diameter and pitch are identical, would a 4 blade still give u better hole shot vs the 3 blade?

[@chuckdepue4303]

I think rule of thumb is down 2 inches of pitch to move into a 4 blade. BUT , Hole shot would Really improve.

[@ibyisabeast]

Do you know the dry weight of that hull without engines

[@ReelReports]

4000 lbs

[@trainrick1]

Nah. You go get a variable pitch prop... . One that changes pitch when you adjust the trim.... In the 80s my dad had one on a Baja... Islander 180? Was a 4 or 6. Mercruiser. No problems. ..

[@thomaslindroos1667]

How heavy is that boat? Not hating, it was a good video and nice boat just seems a little slow for such a chonker of an engine

[@ReelReports]

Maybe about 6500 - 7000 pounds loaded down. She's a beast of a 25FT boat, just appears smaller without the top.

[@jonblair5470]

Said 2.2 mpg at 50 mph and 5500 rpm

[@localflorida2201]

If you want few economy ... Suzuki baby

[@smittys19daytona]

sems like your still a ways off on the 6000 band and carrying no real weight every 200 lbs makes such a difference with outboards you should be able to borrow props so you don't need to buy right away

[@thomaslindroos1667]

So americans refuse to use the metric system. But that they refuse to use knots when on water bothers me grandly.

[@francismarion6400]

Knots isn't also imperial?

[@tenglish420]

You need a 17p

[@davidhall1779]

still didnt see 5600? you need to drop pitch down even more. get that motor up to 5900 at WOT.

[@nickanderson8938]

That is old school shit bro.check out sparrow propellers.

[@81scoops]

Sharrow! Big things changing!! $5000

[@nickanderson8938]

@phil young ya if it drops to 1500 I'll be interested but it takes a lot of fuel to recover 5k

[@tomg6949]

U ready change pitch no big improvement next look at propeller diameter try smaller diameter same pitch

[@shaneellis6955]

I heard you made all your money on bitcoin

[@ryanpaasch7464]

You will get worse gas mileage but better take off

[@piotrtrocki3842]

if you can afford that boat, you shouldn't worry about mileage, lol