SEA DOCK DIVE CHARTERS

Call a prop shop for propeller sizings.

Prop Shop of Wilmington Incorporated

(910) 762-7010

520 N Carolina Ave

Wilmington, NC 28401

www.propshopnc.com

CALL SEA DOCK DIVERS FOR PROP PULLS & REPLACEMENTS!! 

Best all around performance is achieved when wide-open-throttle (WOT) engine operation occurs at the top of (but within) the wide-open-throttle RPM operating range designated by the manufacturer for that specific engine. The WOT RPM operating range can be found in your owners manual. Improperly propping an engine can not only reduce performance but in fact damage the engine. An engine that does not reach the rated RPM at wide-open-throttle is overproped. This will cause an excessive load through the entire RPM range from idle to WOT, not just at wide open throttle WOT. This lugging puts a tremendous load on the pistons, crankshaft, and bearings. On the other hand, an engine that revs past the recommended WOT RPM is underproped and can cause damage when operating past the WOT RPM range. This also creates less speed at cruise RPM. This is why it is so critical to be sure your engine is propped correctly for your boat / engine combination and type of boating you want to do. Using your existing propeller, determine the maximum RPM if you are able to obtain it (it is best to use a photo tach if possible). If during this test you begin to exceed the maximum rated RPM of the engine, reduce the throttle setting to a position where the maximum RPM is not exceeded. If you can exceed the recommended RPM of your motor, you need to increase the pitch of your propeller. If you can not reach your rated RPM's you need to decrease the pitch. Once your wide-open-throttle RPM's falls within the recommended range of your engine manufacturer, you have the propeller that is suited correctly for your boat. A properly pitched propeller will improve your fuel economy!

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How much can you change the pitch on my propeller?

A: It truly depends on the individual propeller. Most typically, propellers can be changed 2" up or down.

Q: Can one propeller give top speed, plus lots of power?

A: No. To gain high speeds involves sizes or pitch ratios unsuited to load carrying or working conditions. Decide what is most important and select the propeller accordingly, or change propellers with boating conditions.

Q: What prop is best suited for MY boat?

A: Much more information is needed before an accurate propeller can be determined for your application. Call a prop shop for propeller sizings.