Prop size for wakeboarding

[bluerocketboy]

Hi guys,

I've got a 4 meter rib with an old 40hp mariner 2 stroke, at the moment its got a good top speed but really struggles to pull me out of the water wakeboarding, with 3 people on board it won't manage it at all.

The pitch on the prop is 13. would you recommend going for a 12 or 11 pitch prop to replace it, i would prefer the 12 if you think it will pull much better but will go down to 11 if needed. also how much will the top speed be effected, i'll need it to stil do 22 knots, it does around 30 with the current prop.

thanks very much
Ben

[9D280]

Not sure about the wakeboarding bit, but for what it's worth I managed 20 Knots in an SR4 / Suz 25 with two adults and a 12" prop.

Is it power trim? If so, tuck it right in to start and trim up (out) once on the plane. If not, try just tucking it in a hole & see if that helps the take -off.

[bluerocketboy]

Thanks, have tried trimming the engine but doesn't make much difference, when not pulling a wakeboarder the boat leaps on the plane, and it does just do the job with a wakeboarder but i'd rather not stress the engine and also be able to get up on the board quicker

[9D280]

If it's worrking "OK" with the current prop then maybe only dropping an inch might be enough. Not sure if youlre near any of the other ribbers, but borrowing a prop for half an hour is probably the best way to test it........