Proper prop?

Do you have the Most outboard motors are sold with a propeller in place, but is it the best one for your boat and your type of boating?

When putting power behind a trailer boat, it’s easy to focus on the outboard engine as the force that pushes the boat through the water – but it won’t go anywhere without a propeller, and the choice of propeller is a major part of the boat’s performance, fuel consumption and engine life.

WHY CHANGE PROPS?

New Zealand boat manufacturers and dealerships work closely with outboard suppliers to ensure that when they put a boat on the market, it represents a good combination of boat, engine/s and propeller/s. They specify a propeller that will meet the needs of most users, most of the time.

They are aiming to prop the engine for optimum performance and fuel economy in most conditions. Most manufacturers and dealers have long experience with particular boat-engine combinations so mostly they have it right, but occasionally an owner is looking for more: more top-end speed, more hole shot, more throttle response.

If you bought a boat that was originally set up for family excursions, but you load it up with tons of diving gear, or regularly tow skiers and wakeboarders, you may need to change the propeller to get optimum performance for your type of boating.

The same may be true for boaters who regularly cross river bars or launch their boats through the surf. Strong acceleration to get out of potentially dangerous situations is more important than top speed.

Fixed-blade propellers deliver either low-end torque or faster top speeds, but you can’t have both. If you use your boat for fishing,