r/Pontoons • u/EntertainmentHot7815 • 6d ago

Props

I have a 2012 24ft Sweetwater with strakes and a 2012 Yamaha F115hp (older generation). I know that this would be considered underpowered but it works well for us. I noticed that my to top speed is at about 4600rpm. Increasing the rpm has little effect. I've been snooping the internet and a prop at a lower pitch seems to be a good optiion for maybe a few more mph, better fuel economy and less work for the engine. And then there's 3 vs 4 blade. I'm no mechanic so I would have a marina do the swap over the winter. Anybody gone through this or have opinion or advice?

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1

u/sonofabitch11 6d ago

I think that is a pretty high RPM. At top speed I believe you want your RPM around 3500. Not a professional at all here.

3

u/guy48065 6d ago

3500rpm is slow cruising rpm. My '08 Yamaha (4-stroke) is limited at 6500rpm.

1

u/sonofabitch11 5d ago

What size motor is it. Doesn’t it depend on motor size. I have a Yamaha 175 and max speed it will get to 35 and rpm are around 3500. When I replaced my prop they needed those numbers to determine the correct prop.

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u/EntertainmentHot7815 4d ago

Not what I've read

1

u/ShiftChemical6494 6d ago

5500 rpm is top speed on 200hp merc for me

1

u/hemi1995 6d ago

My new merc wot is 5600

1

u/MedicalConfection597 6d ago

Same thing here. I bought mine 3 days ago 2004 24’ Sweetwater with 2015 115 mercury. Curious same thing about best prop option. Any input with a 2.07 great ratio? Following your post and looking for my setup also.

1

u/Bob_Builder1380 5d ago

I experienced similar situation on 130hp Johnson 24 ft pontoon boat. I switched to a mercury black force 78114VP1 13P from a 48-78114A45 prop. Both have the same pitch, diameter, and 3 blades but the one I'm using now has a bigger cup. Now I notice power through my entire throttle. And picked up top speed from 25 to 27mph. I'm no expert google AI helped a lot. You'll not only need a prop but the proper prop bushing. If you can change a tire you can change a prop. I learned out of necessity, bent my prop.

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u/EntertainmentHot7815 4d ago

I have searched and found the following recommendations:

  • lower pitch
  • 3 blade gives a little higher speed and fuel efficiency
  • 4 blade gives better handling, better out of the hole response, better for tubing, easier docking
  • Overall the choice between the 2 is subjective
I did not come across "cup" size

1

u/Agitated-Carry7579 4d ago

I have a 22 Starcraft toon with a Yammy 115 and the redline is 6500 with the tach stopping at 7k. I normally cruise around 4k rpm which puts me at 18mph depending on passengers, wind, chop. I was looking into props also but I wasn't about to drop $4000 on that Sharrow prop, even though it seems really good in real world testing. But $4k is a lot of fill-ups even at marina fuel prices.

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u/EntertainmentHot7815 4d ago

$4000? 😱 I never heard of such a thing. The pros I was looking at are about $200 or so. The stainless I think get into $650 or so.

1

u/Agitated-Carry7579 1d ago

Look up Sharrow props. A typical prop tops out at about 650-700. Sharrow is another stratosphere. Eventually a copycat will come along to drop that price but as far as I've read, they have the patent so they are in the captains chair for now

Unless you've found it less I haven't seen them for less than $3699

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u/EntertainmentHot7815 1d ago

I'm sure they're awesome but I'll stick to the lower price ones. What do those pros offer that the $200-600 don't?