1999 R91 prop question..

[StratDude]

I have a 99 R91 with a Merc 200 EFI. Recently switched from the 23p Trophy Plus that was on it when I bought it last year to a 25 Tempest Plus. The Tempest has 3 medium hole PVS plugs in. I also added a 5 1/2” CMC ML-65 jackplate. Prop to pad is approximately 3 1/4”. If it’s just me in the boat with a half tank or less, empty livewells, and my gear, it has good takeoff and hit 67-68mph on gps @ 5600-5800rpms.
While fishing a tourney Sunday, had 3/4 tank of gas, full livewells, my partner and our gear. Takeoff was sluggish. Top speed wasn’t pushed due to weather and water conditions, but we were running 63mph before the wind and water got bad.
Would a 24 Fury be a better choice prop for tourney days given the added weight of my partner, his gear, and the water in the livewells?

[larryhyco]

I run a 25 pitch Tempest plus on my R91 with a 200 EFI. Its just okay with a heavy load. I had and use to run a 25 pitch Trophy Plus when I was more concerned about hole shot and load. Funny, I loaned the prop to a fellow BBCer a few years back to try and I've never seen it again. Your numbers are good and the same as mine

[Rip Bass]

That 24 Fury will turn about the same as the 25 Tempest. I see you’re in W Va, what is your elevation? That can cause sluggishness with too much prop. Tempest is a good prop for that hull but you might need to drop down an inch or two.

[KandKKustomz]

Go with a 24 fury 4.

[StratDude]

That 24 Fury will turn about the same as the 25 Tempest. I see you’re in W Va, what is your elevation? That can cause sluggishness with too much prop. Tempest is a good prop for that hull but you might need to drop down an inch or two.

The area I live in is about 1100’ elevation. The area we were in last Sunday was about 1600’. My tourney partner is over 200lbs. Plus with all the gear he had with him the boat may have just been too heavy. I’m gonna run it again this weekend and play with some PVS plugs. Maybe adjust the jackplate too. I was offered a 26p Trophy Plus to try but I think it will be too big. It’s currently on a 19’ Triton with the same motor as mine and the guy has great hole shot and top end. But I don’t know the weight of his boat model compared to mine.

[Tom Rollins]

The problem is the Merc small block (2.5 L). Once it's up and running it's fine just no guts for moving the heavy load. Drop down to a 24" Tempest +, maybe even a 23.

[StratDude]

I’ve posted in a few places locally in an attempt to find a 24p 4 blade that someone may let me try.

[StratDude]

Back to the drawing board and am open to suggestions... I recently borrowed a 24p “no name visible” 4 blade prop to try. Holeshot was great, top end was a little slower, but it lets my motor go over the max rpm’s at WOT. My 25p Tempest Plus has sluggish holeshot and great top end, and doesn’t over rev my motor. I removed 2 of the PVS plugs, but can’t tell a difference in holeshot. I have my prop to pad at 3 1/2” now.
The smaller diameter 4 blade definitely vents better on take off. I can’t find any markings anywhere on the 4 blade to determine what brand it is. It just has a 24 on it. I’m gonna ask around and see if I can find a 25p 4 blade to test.

[BlueRanger]

I have 99 R91, 200 EFI with a 25 trophy plus. Hole shot is good and i get about 65 top end, 5800 rpms, by myself with a half tank of gas.

[joebone1]

if you are seeing 67-68 you are there - that's about all it's got before it get's hard to handle. i saw 68.4 with mine before i ran out of room - my motor does like to run higher than normal - i'm about 2.75 below when i run by myself.

[StratDude]

I’m happy with the top end speed. I’d like to improve the holeshot if possible.

[tejasbass]

I owned a R91 and recently bought a 195. I had a 24 pitch 4 blade on the R91. When I got the 195, it had a M25 and no jack plate. I was not happy with the hole shot or the handling. I spoke to Steve's Custom props and they suggested a 24 or 25 pitch 3 blade Fury. I went with the 24 pitch and added a

6 inch Rapid Jack. It's like a completely different boat. It jumps out of the hole and tops out at 64 mph + handles great.

[StratDude]

I don’t know if raising my jackplate more will help the holeshot. I have it at 3” or 3 1/8” below now. Water pressure is still good and rpm’s are good.

[joebone1]

i have friends with the optimax that can't get out of the hole and they run their jackplates all the way up and when it starts breaking over they drop it down.