I just picked up this little CC and it was propped for weight. I'm getting conflicting advice on what to try on her.

1999 2450 Hydra-Sport center console. Twin 225 Johnsons.
4 blade Renegade SS 14.5x 17's(repitched to 19).

Gets up immediately half stick with 4 people. Pretty much instant with throttle input to plane out. Overkill, IMO.

Turns 6200rpms easily and hits a wall. 54 gps. 5800 is ideal for these, I guess. 6200 is giving away mph and fuel. No that these Johnsons need any help with that.


I'm told to try a pair or 23p 3-blades or 4 blades. Then some say try 21p 3 blades.


I'm not in the position to put new props on so trying out props to see what works best is kind of a dick move to a prop guy. I don't wan to use his stuff and then buy someone elses.


thx for any help.

Not so sure I wouldn't keep the props you have and at some point have them re-cupped a bit.

I would think you would be happier, once on plane to be where you CAN slightly over rev. Much better scenario then being held under the power curve.

After some time as you get better acquainted to the boat you may discover a greater variance between "perfect" range and actual and then consider new screws.

Being slightly under propped makes hole shots hotter which is better than looking like you are plowing water and washing the shore! Not very often you want to be making the big wake.

Oh, I've taken that into consideration. It does make it very easy. I'm just thinking I'm giving away mph and mpg by being so underpropped. 400+ rpms is a good bit out of it's ideal range. If that figure was the other way around, I'd have to address it.

Good thoughts, though.

I always prop by the following guidelines. in cold weather with no fuel and by yourself you should be banging the rev limiter, in the heat of summer with a full load you should still be able to get into the lower end of max operating rpm range.

Example 496 mag
max rpm range 4600-4800
rev limiter 4950 (alarm warning)

so in winter light load 4950
heat of summer full load at least 4600

Yes you are giving away speed, fuel economy being underpropped.

He is absolutely correct, but I might couch it by saying: 400 rpm likely is not enough to spend around a grand to get 1 or 2 MPH more and .05 GPH less.

AND, if you are cautious about over reving 400 rpm, pull the throttle back 1/4"

His point, like mine about using the boat for a season before you make the final decision is very sound. My point about additional cup might put you right on the 5800 RPM. For your wallet's sake I think the sizes you mentioned are going to take you too far the other way.

BUT; don't listen to us, call a prop repair shop and see what they think. I have found they are generally more likely to be right on the money more than retail outlets and often they have used ones available from people doing exactly what you are doing.

Another point of thought; 400 RPM, the difference between a low idle and a high idle.

The difference between 5800rpm and 6200 rpm is a lot when the max desired is 5800.

I'm at 8% slip right now, I think they are cupped pretty good.