Pontoon Boat & Deck Boat Forum

Has anyone with my setup dabbled in prop setup? I am considering a SS for better handling and top speed performance.

What are you running?

Engine height is always first! Its free to adjust. Once proper height is established, start propping. Why spend $3-400 on a prop when after adjusting engine height you find you need a bigger pitch? Unless your going between 3 and 4 blades. 4 blades will lift the stern, so you may need to lower the engine. Use your GPS and tach with the same load in the boat, to get a good baseline before doing anything. I record fuel usage and wind speed, upstream and down.
Can't say it enough! I LOVE PROPPING!

Would it not have been set to the proper height from my dealer?

Sounds like your close to the max speed, but SS won't hurt

HandymanHerb wrote:Sounds like your close to the max speed, but SS won't hurt

I was thinking the same...

They usually mount them in the center holes to allow for adjustment. That way if there is a problem, they will know which way to start adjusting. Plus loads vary. And you can tell, too. If the boat "bow plows" into on coming waves, you may be too low, if the motor blows out under normal trimming, you may be too high. On a small outboard. All it take to adjust is a floor jack a wooden 4x4 and a few buddies. Bigger motors, buy the flywheel lifting ring. I've manhandled 150's. Above that, a cherry picker and a lifting ring. So far, every outboard I had, needed adjusting one way or the other. Then come the jack plates! Talk about Fun! Ya baby!

What would you consider "normal trimming"? Mine starts to blow out when the trim needle goes above 1/4 if that makes sense. Basically when the needle I in the middle of fully trimmed down and the half way trimmed line.

Best way to determine trim setting is with the boat level, on the trailer. You can look at the boat and motor from the side to see your actual position compared to your gauge. The reason for this is because the transom has a deadrise in it, sits at an angle. So at 1/4 trim out, you may be trimmed under, actually. Some gauges will be centered at zero trim. Then as you trim in, will show a negative indication, as you trim out, a positive indication. My Manitou ran best 1/2 trimmed out, the Premmie runs best about 3/4. But, those are tri's. Twin tubes??? Not sure about. Someone with more twin tube history can help you out better than I can there. Take a peek at your motor and just which holes they used to mount it to the boat. With a few buddies and a floor jack, you can adjust it in 10 minutes.

I see what you're saying. My harris is a tritoon.