Boat propellers for pontoon boats can be hard to match up right sometimes. The main problem is cavitation, meaning the boat propeller is hitting air when you trim it up and the RPM’s shoot way up and the boat slows down.. The reason for this is the transom on a lot of the newer pontoon boats is too high so the engines lower unit is not in the water far enough. The pontoon diameters have kept getting larger in the last twenty years which makes the boat ride higher but some of the boat manufacturers have not lowered the transoms so the engines can be mounted down in the water far enough so you can use the trim for best performance.
What you can do to correct this problem is use a larger diameter three blade or a four blade boat prop that will have more contact with the water. This works in a lot of cases. Solas propellers has a line of boat propellers called Amita Plus propellers that are three bladed boat props, made of aluminum that come in large diameters that work well on pontoon boats. Solas propellers also makes a good selection of four bladed aluminm and stainless steel boat propellers that also work well.
So what are the Best Boat Propellers for Pontoon Boats?
We recommend and sell Solas props which are high performance and provide a smoother ride.
If you still have cavitation problems no matter what boat prop you use, you might have to cut your transom plate down a few inches so the motor sits down farther in the water.
You might also consider another motor that has a longer drive shaft lower unit.
I have a new pontoon boat with a Merc 115 Command Thrust. I have a 15.5/15 prop that runs at 5200 RPM WOT. If I switch to your 16D 13P prop will I gain a little better RPMs? We don’t tube we just cruise the lake with family and friends. Our boat is a 2015 Misty Harbor 245 CU that has room for 12 people but again we run most of the time with 2 to 4 people.
Thanks,
Bob
Just recently purchased a 20 foot Manitou Pontoon (with sea legs) and a 60hp BigFoot mercury outboard. The current aluminum prop only goes to 5,100 rpm, while a 6,000 rpm is posted on the engine plate. SO, after considerable research I have ordered a Pirrana Propeller
with a different pitch that comes with an extra blade.
You should read up on these propellers. You can also change the pitch by inserting different blades.
I am looking for the best prop for a 60 HP Mercury EFI 4 Stroke on a StarCraft 206 pontoon boat year 2005. Any suggestions? Thanks!
We’re talking mainly about slow trolling or cruising with a pontoon that has a small engine. For boats that fit this category, flat-rake, low-pitch blade are the driving characteristics of the props that drive these hulls. Yes, Solas props is a Good Choice.
Usually, aluminum is the material of choice because it’s cheap and easy to repair or replace.
I have a 2016 premier triton with 36″ ptx center tube ,225 Honda outboard the boat is 24′ the motor should run 6000, looking for best performance prop for it???
2009 merc/4stroke/22ft Premier pontoon w lifting strakes&underskin current prop Solas 4 bladestainless 13 pitch
13.5 dia w mt load 6000rpm aprox 30mph w 2 aborad+ prop was cupped up 2x (6000rpm) ,,I would like to try a nother prop off the OMC hydrus design 13 7/8 x13 pitch??
what do you have? my prop guy cannot re hub the OMC hydrus
PLEASE HELP would like to upgrade
GB
White Bear Lake Mn
I have a 2017 Sweetwater 220WB with a Mercury 115HP outboard. The three blade prop on it is a 16×16. At WOT I am at 5,000 RPM and about 26MPH. We tube and want to ski behind it. Has a great hole shot but no top end. What do you recommend?
Check back with the dealer. Your top end is normal but the rpms you gave are off. Sounds like the hole mount position is too low.