1979 17 Aquasport

[palpal1961]

Hi Guys,
I am new here and just purchased a 17' Aquasport and it has a 90HP Johnson on it and No prop. Any ideas which prop I should buy? I care more about carrying a load than top end speed. Any help would be great. I have heard a 12 3/4 X 16 but am not sure. Thanks in advance. Bill

[Capt. Bob]

Welcome aboard Double P.

Try thumbing through the posts on this forum. If nothing else, you'll improve your understanding of props in general.
I did see several threads dealing with questions similar to yours but there didn't seem to be one specific diameter/pitch consensus but then I only glanced at a few.

Someone should pop in.

[akbridge]

Bill
I have the same basic set up you have.  I am currently running an OMC stainless steel 13 3/8" dia x 17" pitch.  It has a good hole shot and gets 38 mph on the top end.  If you went to a 17" pitch it should suit you well.  I hope to eventually step up to a four blade with cupping to allow me run way up on my jackplate, but that's probably way to much for your application?
Andrew

[palpal1961]

Thanks Capt. Bob and Andrew. I'll see what I can find. (I might try to find one on Craigslist) This is my 6th Aquasport but I have never had a 17 before. I also have a 19-6 with a 150 on it and I am looking for a 24-6 CC with a cuddy or a 240 Sea Hunter. I love these boats. I live in the Laguna Madre in Corpus Christi Texas and you need a shallow running boat here and the 19-6 will surprise you how shallow it runs. When the Gulf is flat, I take it 20 miles offshore and hammer the snapper and kings also. Thanks guys, and what a great website this is!--Bill

[RickK]

Welcome aboard palpal1961  :!:  :!:
I have no idea what prop is on my 170, must be about right because she jumps on plane and gets 40mph at top end with the 115. I think you'll find that the 170 is tough to beat when it comes to ease of single-handed launching and handling.  If I ever need to shed one of my boats it won't be the 170.

[palpal1961]

Thanks Rick. I bought it to turn it because I got it cheap and I love my 19-6. This one does kind of ride bow high though and I am thinking it is because it has the wrong prop. It's got no guts out of the hole at all but screams on the top end. Amother strange thing is when it is sitting and just I am in the boat, the water comes in the self bailing holes? My 19-6 does not do that and I cannot figure out why? Thanks for the reply!
Bill

[Marcq]

Amother strange thing is when it is sitting and just I am in the boat, the water comes in the self bailing holes? My 19-6 does not do that and I cannot figure out why? Thanks for the reply!
Bill

They all do Bill
Oh, welcome aboard  

Marc..

[RickK]

Marc, even yours does with that 70 on her?

[akbridge]

I think water coming into the scuppers at the stern is common on the 170s.  I can't leave my plugs out unless I am on a plane.  But I also have a 90 evinrude and a hydraulic jack plate.  So my stern does sit a little low.  But I think the preformance and shallow water gains are worth the weight in back.  Have you tried moving weight around in the boat.  Maybe if you move batteries and other heavy stuff up front, you could get your scuppers out of the water.

[Marcq]

Marc, even yours does with that 70 on her?

Nope   but there's not to many with that mighty engine of mine, unless of course I move in the back but I have pingpong ball scupper for that.
Tell you what, my boat handles so much better since the swich I made from the 85hp, gets out of the hole much quicker and no more  porpoising. Only drawback, lost of top speed but hey!! I'm in no rush

I also think those boat were not designed to have heavy engine on them even if the max hp rate is 130hp

Marc..

[Capt. Bob]

Amother strange thing is when it is sitting and just I am in the boat, the water comes in the self bailing holes?
Bill

As advertised by Marc and my buddy "Badon" viewtopic.php?p=28964#p28964

The answer to your prayers:
http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/st ... artial/0/0

[seabob4]

Thanks Rick. I bought it to turn it because I got it cheap and I love my 19-6. This one does kind of ride bow high though and I am thinking it is because it has the wrong prop. It's got no guts out of the hole at all but screams on the top end. Amother strange thing is when it is sitting and just I am in the boat, the water comes in the self bailing holes? My 19-6 does not do that and I cannot figure out why? Thanks for the reply!
Bill

Diameter will give you holeshot (and load carrying ability), pitch gives you top end.  Increase the diameter, drop your pitch an inch.  Or a 14 X 17 with the blades cupped...

[akbridge]

I looked in my shed to see what I have for props.  I have a couple that could be of interest.  
One is an original OMC SST 13 7/8"x17" pitch.  Its got some dings and dents but runs fun.  I ran it for a couple of outings, but wanted something with more cupping for a higher jackplate setting.  
I also have a stiletto of the same size.  Its in good shape, used runs out great.  I it had too much rake for me, couldn't get the bow down.  But I am also running a lot more weight in the back than most with the jackplate.  So it could work for someone with motor mounted on the transom.  If you might be interested, let me know, I will post pictures.