Am looking to buy 2019 Competitor Sport 185, with Suzuki 150SS outboard. Any recommendations on what prop to put on that rig? Not necessarily looking to tow skiers or anything – mostly looking for top end speed and best fuel economy…
So I did end up getting the boat… absolutely love it. It has a 21 pitch prop on there now – at WOT, she’s hitting 6K rpms (full load, three big guys, full livewells, full gas tank, etc.). That’s at the max rpms… thoughts on whether I should step up to a 23?
My Alumacraft Trophy 175 w/115hp is at 5900-6000rpm trimmed up, that’s right where you want to be. Why mess with it? Higher pitch will keep your max rpm down 5000-5500 and loose hole shot. Keep it as is and enjoy it…….
Only reason I would go up would be if you are hitting the red line when you have a lighter load in the boat. Depends how you use your boat and what you want to gain.
I have the same motor on my Tournament Sport 185, but mine is the older hull design and 18’11”. I had a 23 on my boat and gained speed but found the trolling speed to be too high so I went back to the 21. I never run mine WOT because you are only burning more fuel, not gaining much in the way of speed. The 21 works great when loaded down with gear and get up on plane quickly.
BTW you are going to LOVE that motor! Had this boat for 9 years and the motor runs just like the day I got it. So quiet and smooth and great fuel economy.
Buddy has a 175 Merc Verado and he used 8 gallons of fuel to my 4 when we went on a 20 mile run to the island we camp on in Canada with 3 guys and LOADED to the max with gear.
…I had a 23 on my boat and gained speed but found the trolling speed to be too high so I went back to the 21. …
Good point… right now, with the 21, I’m running about 2.5mph at idle for trolling… Hadn’t thought about how much more speed I’d have at idle with the 23…
Good point… right now, with the 21, I’m running about 2.5mph at idle for trolling… Hadn’t thought about how much more speed I’d have at idle with the 23…
Yep, that’s about exactly where mine is at too. With the 23 it was over 3MPH.
Glenn, Get yourself a Large Cabala’s troll/drift sock and put 7 ft of rope on it with a clip on the one end. Then clip it on the starboard side front hook and you should be able to troll down to 1-1.25 with the sock out and it should sit just past the steering wheel. I have been doing this for years and works great trolling for eyes.
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