I have an 18' Triton with a 150HP 1999 Merc XR6 that for the most part, has had mods to make it a 200HP. When I am loaded (tackle, me, my fishing buddy, full live well and full gas tank) at WOT, it will turn ~5800 RPM's. I am running a Tempest Plus 24P 3 blade prop.
This past weekend I had a chance (for the first time sense I had the mods to the engine)... to take it out with (me, light tackle, empty live well & 1/4 tank of gas).... And I have to tell ya, I had to be careful not to blow the engine. The first time I really opened her up, she felt like a MUCH different boat. Light on the keel, and very responsive. But the problem I found was WOT RPM was high. Before I realized it, the RPM was hitting 6200 - 6300... When I saw this, it was like I could just feel my wallet getting lighter from was it was going to cost me in repairs, if I didn't get my foot out of the throttle.
My question is, if this was your situation and setup. Would you change props, and if so.... What would you change to? No need to worry about doing anything in this boat, other than fishing.
Would you:
- Stay the same?
- Move to a 25P Tempest Plus?
- Move to a 26P Tempest Plus?
- Move to something else?
- Have this prop modified? (prop only a few months old)
- Sell the boat altogether, and take up a silly sport like golf (just kidding)
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