what exactly do i need to be tracking for my next prop purchase?

Boat: 42 Fountain Triple 540's Bravo drives
Goal: Would like to be able to park at least under 1000RPM's

A man who knows what he is after!

Higher pitch props are going to move you at a faster idle in gear speed.

If the engine requires higher rpms to maintain its running quality at idle, you're obviously going to move faster if you need a big prop to keep the r's lower on the top.

Really the goal is dependent on your engine builder. If you must run 1000 rpm to keep the thing running, under prop it to keep the speed down.

bblades thanks for the fast response

the engines idle around 750-800RPM i have 5.5inch CMI headers, very loud

i currently have 4 blade 26's 2 left rotation 1 right rotation, i have to get up to 1200-1400 RPM's just to get the boat to move. I have new motors so i have not topped the boat out this year. When i advance the timing after break in, i don't know what the new idle will be.

I do know that 1300RPM's is way to loud to park my boat were live. Tom

Once the engines are broke in and you can determine the WOT rpm with the 26's, it will tell you if you can go up in pitch. Hopefully you can which will give the boat a bigger bite at idle. This should help the boat to move more with less rpm.

thanks Brett, i will let you know. Tom

since when did the trailer park have noise restriction....

those things are loud when they blow up all the time....

My buddy has a 42' with triple 500s. It runs 30'' 4blades mach props or 29'' 3 blade mercs. Sounds like you will need more pitch

the last two that blew up.............i never heard a thing......its a very very.......to loud boat........