Prop pitch for 189 Sport?

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ditchpickle98

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Jun 5, 2022
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What prop pitch is everyone running on their 189 Sports? I've got the 115hp merc, and I'm curious if my 13.125x16 is enough prop.
 
When I got this 2005 188 Sport in 2019 the 115 Optimax had a 18 pitch Vengence and ran quite well. Then the opti blew up and I changed to a 1994 Refurbed Johnson 140HP and I have a 15" X 17 pitch OMC prop. 6000 RPM 42MPH.
16 pitch doesn't seem like enough pitch, what RPM are you running at full throttle?
 
I'm hitting 6,000+ if I try to trim up too much (trim gauge says not even 1/4 up though, and I'm not porpoising at all yet). I believe it gets so high I get a warning beep for excessive engine speed. I'm getting about 42-44mph if I add trim right before I get the over speed warning.
 
Your hole shot is probably nice but in Norfolk Va we have a couple of Prop shops that will work with you trying different Pitch props, look for one in your area. I would add pitch to 17 or 18. 18 is hard to find, you will lose RPM and speed will increase. The idea is trying to keep th engine between 5000 and 6000 and not completely lose your hole shot. 18 pitch on the Opti was great for RPM and having 4 adults and 3 grandchildren planing out with no problem. A 17 pitch 4 blade is always an option also, not as much speed but hole shot is great.
 
I'm currently running a 18p vengeance on a 2007 Opti 115 as well. Takes off like a rocket. Quickly planes. Maybe 42 mph top speed. No complaints or issues.
 

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ditchpickel98, I see you like in Utah and probably the lowest lake there is about 3000 ft., altitude can make a difference in what prop you use. I have a 2005 Targa 18 with a 115hp Optimax that has been use from 1000 ft lake in Texas to 10,000 ft. lake in Wyoming. I have 3 different props for this boat, a 21p for the 1000 ft lake and the 17p for the 10,000 ft lake (which I almost went with a 15p for that lake). Fuel injection has greatly improved altitude compensation for outboard motors, but even the newer motor loose hp at higher altitudes due to less O2 in the air. I will note that I don't worry as much about hole shot as top speed, but if the boat can't get up on plane at high altitude with a 21p the only thing you can do is start dropping pitch. That being said, I would say you need to go up a least to a 17p. There were a few prop places in Utah, I remember the "Prop Shop" in Clearfield, they usually will let you try props until you get the right one. Match your prop to the lake you are on.
 
I'm currently running a 18p vengeance on a 2007 Opti 115 as well. Takes off like a rocket. Quickly planes. Maybe 42 mph top speed. No complaints or issues.

That's the prop I was looking to get. Good to hear that the 18p still has good hole shot. The 16p I've got now planes almost instantly, but man it's annoying to hit the rev limiter not far after... I'll keep my eye out for a used 18p vengeance, maybe I can snag one on eBay for less than I spent on everything else I've done to the boat combined? Lol.
 
ditchpickel98, I see you like in Utah and probably the lowest lake there is about 3000 ft., altitude can make a difference in what prop you use. I have a 2005 Targa 18 with a 115hp Optimax that has been use from 1000 ft lake in Texas to 10,000 ft. lake in Wyoming. I have 3 different props for this boat, a 21p for the 1000 ft lake and the 17p for the 10,000 ft lake (which I almost went with a 15p for that lake). Fuel injection has greatly improved altitude compensation for outboard motors, but even the newer motor loose hp at higher altitudes due to less O2 in the air. I will note that I don't worry as much about hole shot as top speed, but if the boat can't get up on plane at high altitude with a 21p the only thing you can do is start dropping pitch. That being said, I would say you need to go up a least to a 17p. There were a few prop places in Utah, I remember the "Prop Shop" in Clearfield, they usually will let you try props until you get the right one. Match your prop to the lake you are on.

Interesting. Thanks for the info on that shop, I'll check it out. That's exactly what I need. I'd rather not spend $300-500 on a prop and have it not work out, so a trial run would be really nice haha.
 
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