Propping a 2018/2019 WX2060

I recently picked up a WX2060 from Charlie at SBC w/ the 250 sho, 9.9 kicker and trim tabs. I love the boat and am looking for a 4 blade, will keep the 19P SWSII for a spare. I am currently getting 55-56 mph at 5800 rpm’s with the 19p SWSII and that is loaded with 2 guys. Just me I get 57 mph at 5800-5900 rpm’s, can get to 6000 but mph falls off and I’m shooting a rooster tail. Also experiencing quite a bit of porpoising at mid range on both take off and slowing down (trim tabs help but do not cure the problem). All break in and testing was done in cold water temps (48-53 degrees), I’m considering raising the motor 1 hole and going to a Bravo I LT in 20p which should keep me in the same rpm range, hopefully eliminate the porpoising while getting better take off and mid range. I’m looking to see if anyone with this boat/motor combo has done this and would like to hear the results. I’m happy with my current set up but am going to get second prop either way so figured if there is something better for this boat I’d go that route. FYI elevation is 1200′.

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Hi Zach, Dean saw your post so I thought I’d reply quick. My opinion is to start by adjusting the engine DOWN on the jack plate; I think you can leave your engine bolted where it is on the plate. Mid-range porpoise and noticeable speed fall-off at high trim on this boat is often more indicative of too much engine height; you’re losing traction. Extreme-low engine height can also case porpoising, but that’s rare. So far, the 19SWSII has been the best we’ve tried and we’ve been seeing upper 50’s often with this boat. Give me a call anytime to discuss further, or for any help on jack plate adjustment if needed…Thanks and good luck!
Charlie Brandt

Zach,
I demoed that combination last fall at SBC’s ride and drive, and also the 2200 that I ended up buying. It also had the 19″ prop. We played with the tabs a bit, but for the most part ran it with the tabs up, and didn’t really experience much of a porpoise. I know that if I had bought that boat, I would have wanted a 20″ prop as my base prop, as we were about 6100 rpm with the 19″. Either that, or I would have moved the engine down a dot or two, as Charlie suggested. The jackplate setup on that boat, was at 4 dots up, and I probably would have tried dropping it one or two dots, and tried that, as we also had quite a rooster tale at that setting. The WX2200 that I tried had a 20″ prop and was set all the way down on the jackplate, and was a little low on rpms with that setup, and had no rooster tale. I probably would have raised the plate a dot or two, with that standard plate, although I have the Atlas power plate on mine. Ran a Bravo LT 20.5″ on my MX2040, Yamaha 20″ 5900+ rpm 58+ mph. Bravo LT 20.5″ 6050+ rpm, 59+mph. Reduced porpoise, improved take off, reduced planing speed, and greater midrange acceleration. I think Nick2060 has tried a 20″ LT on his new 2060, try pm’ng him for his results. I haven’t tried my Bravo LT 20.5″ on my 2200 yet as my 19″ Yamaha so far is doing fine, but hope to do so soon. Bravo props will run apx 1″ up from a Yamaha 3 blade. To be fair though, I really only had a porpoise issue on Lake Michigan rollers, and not much at all on inland lakes, and did not have trim tabs on my last boat. Have not noticed a porpoise issue on my 2200 yet, with the Yamaha 3 blade, but I do have tabs. I would try what Charlie suggested first, and drop the engine down a dot or two, then if still not satisfied try a Bravo LT in probably a 20″. If it’s off on pitch, they are easily sold or traded. Not sure you’ll find a try before you buy on these LT props, but keep in mind, The Boat Center is a Mercury dealer now, and I would try them first.

Thanks Ed, I talked to Charlie and will try lowering the motor to see what that does, even if i’m happy with the results on the yamaha 3 blade I still want to have a spare prop and have had good luck with the bravo series in the past. I have to wait a couple weeks before I get back home to try it, will post results when I do.

Sure wish Yamaha would offer a lower pitch 4 blade prop than their 21-23 inch that they offer now. A 19 and 20 inch version would eliminate the need for everyone to go to Mercury for the prop that they need. The saltwater guys really like the 4 blade that Yamaha offers now, and it gets great reviews, but at 21 inches, it is just a little too much pitch for these WX hulls. I would much rather run a Yamaha prop, they are much smoother shifting, and seem to be more consistant in their pitch than Mercury Bravos, but as it stands now, if you can get the right Bravo prop, it will maximize your performance. I’ve had a few Bravo props, one was fantastic, the other, only 1/2″ different in pitch, acted as though it was over 2″ different in pitch, and was a poor performer over all. Mercury did replace that one though, but I never got a chance to try it, as I sold it.

I ended up getting a Bravo I LT in 20p and also raised the motor 2.25” above where I was with the 3 blade..Hole shot and mid range are excellent and overall handling very good..only drawback to this prop is i’m only getting 5400 to 5500 rpms but at 57 mph. It appears to be acting more like a 22p prop and not a 20. I don’t see how going down to a 19p LT would give me 400 to 500 rpm’s to be where i need to be unless this current LT is actually off pitch. Back to the SWS II 3 blade for now until I get more info

Bravo’s are a funny prop. Their pitch does not seem to be very consistant. I think you could try three different ones, all the same pitch, and your results would be different for all three. I do know that my 20.5″ LT is fantastic, and I won’t be selling it for anything. The 21″ that I had, was not good at all, and I really don’t know if the 21″ that they sent me as a replacement was any good, as I sold it before trying. Yamaha needs to step up to the plate, and offer us their 4 Blade in pitches that we can use. To only offer a prop in 3 pitches, is very consumer unfriendly.