Does the prop make a noticible difference for a 90HP motor?

[Liberty MO]

I have a 2011 Mercury EFI (four stroke) and the Mercury webpage has several prop options and the topic is discussed a lot here. Does the prop make a noticeable difference for a 90HP pontoon on a 22 foot boat?

I can get about 27 mph in good conditions with 2 adults and 2 kids on board. I have noticed that as more adults are on and I push to 4800 rpms and up it seems to "slip."

[gramps]

I have a 2011 Mercury EFI (four stroke) and the Mercury webpage has several prop options and the topic is discussed a lot here. Does the prop make a noticeable difference for a 90HP pontoon on a 22 foot boat?

I can get about 27 mph in good conditions with 2 adults and 2 kids on board. I have noticed that as more adults are on and I push to 4800 rpms and up it seems to "slip."

Have you looked at the Mercury Marine site under... engine tests ? They will have tested a lot of boats with your engine.

[Bamaman]

If you're getting ventilation on the prop, you may have too much weight on the front end--lifting the engine slightly causing the ventilation. Are you running with the engine trimmed up? Sometimes you can just ask passengers to move to the back seats.

Or, your motor may be mounted a little high on the transom. If you commonly carry such loads, and you're running with the engine trim down, you might want to try to drop the engine down a notch--if possible.

Pontoons have to do everything for everybody, and they can sometimes be a little touchy in the ventilation department. My old boat was the same way, but it sure was fast when properly balanced.

[Liberty MO]

If you're getting ventilation on the prop, you may have too much weight on the front end--lifting the engine slightly causing the ventilation. Are you running with the engine trimmed up? Sometimes you can just ask passengers to move to the back seats.

Or, your motor may be mounted a little high on the transom. If you commonly carry such loads, and you're running with the engine trim down, you might want to try to drop the engine down a notch--if possible.

Pontoons have to do everything for everybody, and they can sometimes be a little touchy in the ventilation department. My old boat was the same way, but it sure was fast when properly balanced.

I will trim it up to the quarter mark when up to speed. Its almost like over 4800 rpms the boat "hiccups" or revs up a bit, but there is nothing on the tacometer that indicates this is occurring. We had it serviced and everything checked out fine. This only happens when we get more weight on board.

[rbiederwolf]

Sounds as if you are propped well. 27 mph with a 90 hp is very good. Unfortunately pontoons are very touchy with weight distribution. It is a very fine line with optimum performance and weight placement. Does not take a whole lot to get nose heavy and cause the prop to slip.

Unfortunately most all solutions will negatively affect you top speed. If this is not a major issue than there are some things to do.
Lower engine on transom, unless it is already as low as it will go
Cup your prop a little more, this will allow it to bite a little better. However with this you will lose some rpm and speed

Best solution is when you want to run redistribute the weight to the rear of the toon.

[Jake202]

Not sure what kinda prop is on my 90 hp 2stroke, but with a 4 adults, 2 kids, gear and full tank of gas I can usually get 20-22 mph on a good day.

[Jim]

I have the same boat you have, I dropped the motor to the last hole helped mine a lot. The prop was breaking loose when I trimmed it up. My top speed went from 21 to 28

[Oldboater]

My 22 foot Starcraft Pontoon boat does about 27 mph with a 90 HP Yamaha four stroke (2010).

[rancherlee]

A Stainless pontoon style prop did wonders for mine, but it's still weight sensitive. If I want to run fast on the strakes with my 70hp I can't have ANYONE on the 2 front seats or I loose bite. Once I loose bite, I drop off plane and loose 3-4mph with 5-6 adults on board. The funny part is my rpm doesn't change one bit, it turns 5200rpm with 6 adults @ 24mph on plane and 20mph off plane pushing water with the nose cones. The engine DOES sound different though.