Moparman926
New Member
I'm getting ready to start my 3rd fishing season with my Nitro 700lx, and I'm still struggling on prop and engine setup. The boat came with a 23P aluminum prop. I was able to get 44-45mph with gps. After talking back and forth with my local boat shop, I ended up buying a 21P Solas Saturn SS prop. With this prop at WOT I was pushing 5800 RPMs with myself and gear in the boat. The engine clearly says on the serial number plate Max RPM 5500. The guy at the boat store argued with me and said this was a 6000 rpm engine and it was good to run it that fast. Performance wise, the top speed dropped to 40 mph and hole shot was incredible. After running with this setup for 6 months, I ended up sending the prop to New England Propeller to add cupping. This dropped my RPM to 5500 at WOT and increased speed by 1 mph. I still don't feel like the boat is propped right. In my opinion I shouldn't have lost so much top end speed going to a SS prop. Also, the boat rolls really bad and pulls incredibly hard until I get it trimmed right. When I do get the proper trim, I have issues with porpoising if I don't keep my speed pretty high. I checked motor height and the cavitation plate is about in line with the keel.
Do you think my issue is the prop? Should I look at raising the engine? Or installing a jack plate? Right now the engine is mounted in the center mounting holes. At WOT, what should my max RPM be? I appreciate any help you guys can give me.
Do you think my issue is the prop? Should I look at raising the engine? Or installing a jack plate? Right now the engine is mounted in the center mounting holes. At WOT, what should my max RPM be? I appreciate any help you guys can give me.