Newbie asking for help

[rhorne]

As y'all can see I am new to this forum. I ordered a new tritoon and want some input or help in getting correct prop. I have a 2014 Tahoe LT Cruise 2300 with a Etech 250 HO mounted on rear. (weight of boat and motor approx. 3400lbs) Dealer says he installs the the Viper prop on his boats. He will try a couple of pitches to see which one works best. For you guys that have run this engine on this type tritoon do you have any suggestions? Thanks in advance. Roger

[smltooner]

Welcome to the club.
Someone will be along soon to help you out.
I am not a prop master, but many on here know how to help.

[PlaynDoc]

if you would have posted that you had a basic, 2-log pontoon, with a 115, i might be able to throw in my two cents... but, seeing how i only have two cents, i won't be buying a boat like that anytime soon... <i keep telling myself I'm not jealous>....

[rhorne]

Playndoc. Thanks anyway. I do have pontoon now with a 115 Johnson. It has been a very good toon for us. I run a 14x17 ss prop and never had a bit of trouble with it. Just upgrading to a tritoon. Really looking forward to getting the new one.

[Bamaman]

Chances are he'll put a 17" or 18" pitch prop on your boat, and you'll be looking at about 49-50 mph on top end. It's going to be faster than most tritoons.

At least your dealer's willing to do what it takes to get the most efficiency out of your motor.

Most dealers would prop the boat with moderate loads so you'll be pulling the published engine redline with the boat trimmed out fully.

[ishoot]

As y'all can see I am new to this forum. I ordered a new tritoon and want some input or help in getting correct prop. I have a 2014 Tahoe LT Cruise 2300 with a Etech 250 HO mounted on rear. (weight of boat and motor approx. 3400lbs) Dealer says he installs the the Viper prop on his boats. He will try a couple of pitches to see which one works best. For you guys that have run this engine on this type tritoon do you have any suggestions? Thanks in advance. Roger

I can help you out...

I will assume that since your boat is new, your Etec is new as well. That means you have the newer M-2 gear case on your 250 HO.

With a pontoon boat, you want to make sure to keep your RPMs at W.O.T. as close to the upper end limit as possible with a light load (one person, minimal gear, 1/2 tank of fuel). That would be 6000 RPMs with your motor. You want these rpm's high so when you load down the boat with people and gear you can still stay within the recommended range and not dog your motor down which will prematurely wear it.

The Viper is a great prop. It was my "go to" prop with my 250 HO Etec and 24' Manitou Xplode and I tried many! I think a 19 pitch Viper will get you pretty darn close to those specs.

Here is a great thread regarding props, pontoons and Etecs. Read it from beginning to end as it has great information and testing data with different props all through it... http://www.etecownersgroup.com/post/250 ... hp-5407471

Edited to add: Roger one other thing of importance is to make sure your motor is at the correct height. This can be done by visually checking to ensure your anti cavitation plate is visible when fully planed at W.O.T. Most likely your dealer will have this covered but it's always good to check.

Good luck and congrats on your new boat!!

Dan

[rhorne]

Dan, thanks for the info. I did read that thread from start to finish and really enjoyed it. My dealer says he mounts the 250HO in the 3rd hole. (I pretty sure he said 3rd). He said he always puts vipers on his rigs. Said he would take a 18, 19, and a 20 to the lake to test. I made the comment to him that I wanted it the top of rpm when he ran it. He agreed that is what he usually does.

I had read that the rebel gave some good numbers also, that is why I questioned him on it. He told me that he has had very good results with the viper. I am used to bass boats, I have a guy that has worked almost every prop I have had for my bass boats. He can really tweak them to get the most out of them. He has suggested a powertech ofs 4 which is a 4 blade 15.25 diameter.

I'm hoping to get into the low or mid 50's. I guess it will take a lot of testing like it did on my bass boats to get the best set up. Looks like the starting point will be a viper in a 18,19, or 20.

Dan, you are correct it will be a magnum gear case. Same thing that is on my 225 HO on my bass boat.

Thanks for the input, it is greatly appreciated.

Roger

[ishoot]

Hi Roger;

Sounds like you have a good dealer that knows what he is doing. Stick with him!

With a 4 blade prop you will definitely get a better bite in corners and a better hole shot. It simply grabs the water better. You will lose a couple MPH of top speed however at least that is what I found. Changing props is so easy that I would use a 4 blade Cyclone when carrying near max capacity on the boat for a better "wow" factor.

I tried the Rebel and yes it was good prop but I always found myself going back to the Viper for the best performance.

If your boat is a 23', I would think you will easily hit low 50's for speed with the right prop.

Good luck and enjoy your new boat!

Dan

[tuned]

I am used to bass boats, I have a guy that has worked almost every prop I have had for my bass boats. He can really tweak them to get the most out of them. He has suggested a powertech ofs 4 which is a 4 blade 15.25 diameter.

Roger

Welcome Roger. I have a brand new OFS4 15P ready to slap on and try. Unfortunately, I have about 3 feet of ice (or better) covering my spot. Gonna be a bit before I get out. My boat, although similar in size, is a triple with a wheelhouse, so MUCH heavier. Probably and extra ton! I'll be running a bit higher HP as well, though not too much. Expecting around 40mph at best.
Sounds as if your dealer knows exactly what he is doing to at least give you a starting point. It also sounds as if you are no stranger to propping, so you probably understand the expensive and time consuming pain that it really is. One nice thing about the Powertech line is that they have a 'trade-in' program. As long as the prop is like new and you pay a small fee, you can swap until you are happy. Of course your dealer will do that for a nice sale as well, but with his preferred prop (the Viper).
I'll try to report back on the OFS once I see some soft water...so that'll be about July

Aaaand don't forget the pictures once you take delivery, or the guys will hound you mercilessly. Have fun with your new ride.

[rhorne]

Todd, thanks for the information. My prop guy really knows the props. He has a line of his own that I run on my bass boat. He has done some really good work on the bass boat guys. He has a 4 blade that I will probably try. It is a 14.5" diameter in a 20 pitch. The guys at powertech told him to tell me to try it. All is speculation right now until I get the boat. Just want to get a head start on correct propping. All of the help is greatly appreciated. I will post pictures if I can figure out how to do it. Again thanks. Roger

[BobG]

This is kinda off-topic, but my Tahoe 24 foot tri-toon is only rated for 200 HP. If yours is not rated for 250 HP, it could be an automatic claim killer if you have an accident. Just an FYI.

Crap - I just checked Tahoe's web site, and the 2014 Tahoe LT Cruise 2300 is only rated for 125 HP. Buyer Beware!

[ishoot]

This is kinda off-topic, but my Tahoe 24 foot tri-toon is only rated for 200 HP. If yours is not rated for 250 HP, it could be an automatic claim killer if you have an accident. Just an FYI.

Crap - I just checked Tahoe's web site, and the 2014 Tahoe LT Cruise 2300 is only rated for 125 HP. Buyer Beware!

With the "Express Center Tube Package" (tritoon) which he stated he has, his boat is rated for a 250 H.P. outboard.

Dan

[BobG]

With the "Express Center Tube Package" (tritoon) which he stated he has, his boat is rated for a 250 H.P. outboard.

Good deal. When I added the Center Tube to my 24' Tahoe, the rating went from 125 HP to 200 HP. I didn't see anywhere on their web site that it is now rated for 250, but I'll take your word for it.

The closest I have found is page 44 of the 2014 catalog, that shows with the full waveglider package, that the 23 foot LT is increased to 225 HP. The express center pontoon is actually not even a full length center pontoon.

The easy check will be the data plate on the boat.

[ishoot]

With the "Express Center Tube Package" (tritoon) which he stated he has, his boat is rated for a 250 H.P. outboard.

I didn't see anywhere on their web site that it is now rated for 250, but I'll take your word for it.

It's noted here on their web site... http://www.tahoepontoons.com/options/wa ... rformance/

[Bryden24shp]

I ran a 19 pitch Viper on my 24 Manitou Xplode, 250 Etec, ran 52 stock. With the Jackplate, S/S spoilers and some aluminum skinning on the transoms leading edge, we pulled 60-62, with a 21 Viper and ran 64 with a 22 Raker. The 21 Rebel ran about 58 and a 4 Blade Renegade, I believe it was a 19 pitch, ran around 55. All were pitched to run 5800 rpms. The Raker was by far the funnest prop, It would make the bow fly! But, it really liked the gas!!! I did a lot of propping on that ole Manny! I'll post a pic from my computer at home, later.
Bryan