Need some input on pitch for new prop 30hp

[frankie]

I have a 30hp tiller Evinrude and it pushes a 19 foot skiff with a 5.5 foot beam. It can get up on plane but I am not one for ripping around. I have also heard that the wrong pitch prop can cause damage to the engine. I typically go out fishing with myself or 2 people. When I looked into getting a replacement prop they offered pitches of 9 through 15. Would appreciate any ideas out there. Thanks a bunch.

[retiredoz]

the general idea, from what I hear from reliable sources, is to run a prop that permits your engine to reach it’s optimum RPM. That’s hard to determine unless you find a way to attach a tach. If you’re just looking for a bit more speed, I’d try the ‘next size down’, pitch-wise. What’s the boat rated for, hp-wise ? Just off the top of my balding head, I’d say that’s pretty hefty craft for a 30-hp. I don’t think you’re at much risk of over-revving the engine, but that’s where the tach comes in.

[dan-in-tn]

First off what year model is your engine? Give us a model number if possible. Evinrude made a 30hp in a two and three cylinder version. It is important to run the engine in its upper RPM level at Wide Open Throttle, but that is with a typical load! That is where the rub comes in when you vary the load quite a bit in a boat of this type. One day you may have one person aboard and another you may have three. We need to know what pitch prop is on the boat now? At some point we are going to need to know what RPMs you are turning now? After that it would be possible to advise you on another prop choice. If the boat planes now, you may not be that far off, but sometimes better hole shot can be attained and improved fuel economy too.

Dan in TN

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