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What prop are you all running on your 17's? We have an older 17 (late 1980s) with a two year old etec 90 and it runs in the 30's at WOT but would like to get a bit more top-end speed. Boat is in the water, so I will have to look next time I go out to see what the dealer put on. I know they switched to a slightly smaller size as they said the factory prop was running upper 50's at WOT which we were a little concerned with our 12 yr son old running the boat. Now he is 14 and a good captain, and we would like to go a bit faster when the conditions allow.
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12 Smokercraft[br]17 Mako CC[br]18 Marshall Sanderling[br]20 Ellis Sport Fisherman (sold)[br]21 Kencraft CC (sold)[br]236 Mako CC -
I have had 4 different engines on my 1974 that my dad bought new. A 90 is only going to push the boat to 36 mph spinning a 13x19 prop. The proper prop for a 90 is a 13x17, which allows the engine to wind up to proper rpms and it will push the boat to 34 mpg. When I ran a 115, I could hit 40. Either way its not often that you can run over 30 mph in a 17' boat. They run most efficiently around 25-27 mph. If you want to run 50, you are going to have to hang the max hp for the hull, a 135hp.
Chris Miller[br]Mystic Islands, NJ[br]1974 17 Classic[br]1988 211 Classic (sold)[br]1990 Grady White 230 Gulfstream (sold)[br][img][br]
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Thanks Chris - I have yet to make it out and check the current prop size, but your insight is appreciated. Where we are on the coast of Maine we utilize the rivers a lot (we are surrounded by several peninsulas) and they tend to be dead flat, and allow a pretty fast run. Covering 6-10 miles of flat river running is certainly faster at even 40 mph than 30!
12 Smokercraft[br]17 Mako CC[br]18 Marshall Sanderling[br]20 Ellis Sport Fisherman (sold)[br]21 Kencraft CC (sold)[br]236 Mako CCComment
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I look at it this way..10 miles at 40 miles per hour takes 15 minutes. At 30 mph it takes 20 minutes. Enjoy the ride for those extra 5 minutes without beating the hell out of the engine.
Chris Miller[br]Mystic Islands, NJ[br]1974 17 Classic[br]1988 211 Classic (sold)[br]1990 Grady White 230 Gulfstream (sold)[br][img][br]Comment
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I was low 40's with the old Yamilog 115 with a 17p. My 115 Opti tops out at 42-43 with a 16p. I can't see that boat worth a crap at 50mph and the scuppers underwater. It's already a stern heavy boat.
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I can hit 42 on calm water with 17 with an old Johnson 140. I also have the transom boxes that act like a hull extension. I know if I propped differently I could get closer to 50 but the hole shot I have now is pretty nice with the prop I have on.
1978 Chrysler 22 sailboat (sold)[br]1973 Catalina 22 sailboat (sold)[br]1983 Compac 23 sailboat (sold)[br]1973 Mako 17 (fishing machine)[br]1983 Mako 258 (current project)[br]
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