I have a 2015 Tracker Pro-Guide V-175 boat with a 115HP Mercury four stroke. I’m replacing the 17 pitch 3 blade stock propeller. We use the boat mostly for fishing but also tow the kids around the lake.


According to the Mercury Prop Selector site, one of the options is a SpitFire 4 blade, 13”, 17 pitch prop. With my estimates, the total weight is 2600 lbs, the calculated engine RPM is 5,750 and the calculated speed is 36mph, which is pretty close to the speed I see. It’s much slower with the kids onboard.


My question is I’d like to get more top speed but don’t know the ramifications of going against the Mercury recommendations. I’ve seen some postings on the net by guys who went with a 19 pitch prop or even 21 pitch and they have been happy with it. If I understand correctly, you’d sacrifice hole shot but would get higher top speed. With my current prop, hole shot is pretty slow but I’m not all that concerned with hole shot.


I’d appreciate any thoughts or experiences y’all had.


Blair