who owns a Berkshire tritoon & what prop do you run?

[gramps]

We own a Berkshire tritoon ans love it. It's our 3rd toon but our first tritoon. The dealer is working with me on props and the one they tried gives me the same exact results as the original prop.
Original prop is 4 blade Revolution 15 x 15 ss 5,150 rpm's at 33 mph with full tank of gas and 2 people on board with normal gear.

Last week they installed a Turbo 4 blade that they claim is 15 x 13 ss the results are exactly the same as my original prop. I can't tell what the prop is because I would have to remove it from motor as size is on inside.

It doesn't make sense to me that this change would be exactly the same as my 15 x 15 at 3,000 rpm's they both run 18 mph, at 4,000 rpm's they both run 24 mph and at WOT they both run 5,150 rpm's at 33 mph

My motor should be running at 5,800 rpm's at WOT. All above data is by GPS.
Has anyone ever heard of anything like this? If you own a Berkshire what prop do you run?

[Bamaman]

Gramps:

I'm sorry that you're still having difficulties getting your boat to perform to your expectations.

In boat tests, Mercury powered toons just about always use the Mercury Enertia propellers. My next door neighbor's Enertia is 14 pitch on a Harris 23' tritoon w/strakes. I've often seen 15 pitch props on the same size boats in published boat tests.

If you're not seeing redline rpm's with 14" or 15" pitch props, you may want to make sure your engine is riding at the optimum height on the transom. Not too low (plowing) and not too high (ventilating.)

Unless the engine is at the right height, experimenting with props is just a waste of effort. Can you see the top of the anticavitation plate through all the splashing water at cruising speeds?

[dockholiday]

Gramps:

I'm sorry that you're still having difficulties getting your boat to perform to your expectations.

In boat tests, Mercury powered toons just about always use the Mercury Enertia propellers. My next door neighbor's Enertia is 14 pitch on a Harris 23' tritoon w/strakes. I've often seen 15 pitch props on the same size boats in published boat tests.

If you're not seeing redline rpm's with 14" or 15" pitch props, you may want to make sure your engine is riding at the optimum height on the transom. Not too low (plowing) and not too high (ventilating.)

Unless the engine is at the right height, experimenting with props is just a waste of effort. Can you see the top of the anticavitation plate through all the splashing water at cruising speeds?

he is dead on again............i am running the 15 enertia on my 150 opti...........it's just right......should get you in the 37-40 range depending on your weight............doc

[rancherlee]

Also "Turbo" brand props are pretty aggressive on Pitch sizing. I have a 3 blade 14x13 Turbo on mine and according to prop calculators I only have 4% slip, which has got to be a record for a pontoon! When I had my motor on a 16' Lund Pike fishing boat with a 13x18 turbo I had -2% slip.

[gramps]

Most of the Mercury tests use a 15 1/8 x 14 in their tests for my motor. I will have to wait and see what the dealer comes up with next.

[cwag911]

Get rid of the 4-blade prop. Your boat is about the same size and weight as mine and as was said, the Enertia was the best that i found. On a side note, I tried a 15,16,and 17pitch Enertia and all 3 would give me the same speed and all were within 150 rpm of each other with just me in the boat. Loaded up the 15p is the best and the rpms don't drop off.

[gramps]

Thanks Carl, I will have to tell the dealer that's what I want.