2017 Triton 20 TRX - Boat Porpoising slow speeds; 4 blade prop?

[c_m_25]

Hey guys. I’m new to this bass boat stuff. My boat has a 250 optimax on it and hasn’t been a problem with just me and the boy. Yesterday I took out everyone: wife and 2 kids (8 and 3 y.o). The boat handled noticeably different for obvious reasons. Took quite a bit to get on plane. I’m currently running a 3 blade prop. I’m not sure on specifics of it at this very moment, so this question is just a general one for the moment. Once we got on plane, I was trying to take it easy with the speed but was struggling mightily with porpoising. The water had some chop but nothing bad. Now, this could just have been crappy driving by me, but I’m wondering whether a 4 blade would be better when running with the family? Would it help me pop up on plane faster? Would I be able to maintain a bit slower speed with it and not bounce as bad?

Just for the record, when we took off for the ramp at the end of the day, I just drove the boat and didn’t worry about slower speed (scared wife) and I was able to smooth the ride out quite a bit.

[1Holeshot]

A four blade prop should help.

[4weight]

Trim down to stop the porpoising as you slow down. Four blade prob will help the holeshot with more grab but not sure it has anything to do with the porpoising.

[c_m_25]

Yeah the porpoising could have been just bad driving on my part as I’m still
learning and the boat behavior was quite a bit different with a full load vs what I’m used to. I think I was going a bit too slow to stay comfortably on plane. Once I said screw it and got up in the 40’ish mph hour range, it was much smoother. The waves also died down at that point. However, shouldn’t the 4 blade allow me to plane out at a slower speed?

[Lightning 6]

Need more info before I can offer advice:

Current Prop: model, condition, pitch, and if Mercury Prop what is PVS plug configuration.

WOT RPM:

RPM on holeshot breakover when solo/ w/ family

Jackplate: Setback, hydraulic/ manual

Di not switch from 3 to 4 blade prop w/out identifying the actual performance issues and addressing them…..doing so, you could just waste money.

[doyce]

My TR20 porpoises as well when I slow down. You have to trim down until it stops. I’m not sure the prop has that much affect. I have run 3 and 4 blade props and both do the same thing until I get it trimmed properly.

[jrh_67]

Usually porpoising means you have to much trim adjusted for your speed. Either speed up or trim down a tiny bit and it should work itself out.

[berudd]

Usually porpoising means you have to much trim adjusted for your speed. Either speed up or trim down a tiny bit and it should work itself out.

Yep, what these guys said and I will add that these boats aren't really intended to go slow. Some time, I'll get behind some slower boat in a tight spot on the lake, and it can be hard to stay on plane at the lower speeds.

[jdwo2212]

A bailey hydrofoil would help a lot. Unfortunately after the sad news i dont know if anyone has any back stock.

[Podcast]

I agree with the consensus. Trim down. I don't get it much with mine but I have boat to leverage out of the water so my prop does not work as hard to keep me on plane regardless of my load.

I also have the Bailey Hydrofoil and never had an issue at all with any prop at any speeds.

[berudd]

A bailey hydrofoil would help a lot. Unfortunately after the sad news i dont know if anyone has any back stock.

That should be totally unnecessary on his boat unless something is completely wrong with the rig.

[NoCAL]

The slowest I can go is about 30 mph but have to trim down considerably. It takes some time to learn how to balance at that slow of a speed. Granted, it takes some time for the women folk to get used to but the ride will be most comfortable at or above 40 mph. It feels fast but the wife will get used to it. Much better gas mileage as well. Keep taking her and she’ll get used to it. Your boat will easily go well over 70. Eventually, you’ll learn to love it………oh, you’ll have to learn about chine walk too! ��

NoCAL

[jdwo2212]

That should be totally unnecessary on his boat unless something is completely wrong with the rig.

When i had a bailey hydrofoil on my hpdi it lowered my slow planing speed from 32mph to 20mph. No porpsising and could glide along on plane at that speed. Just a suggestion.

[Lightning 6]

Bailey foils work…..even on well set-up boats. When I added talons I rebalanced the load, & prop tested 6 different props (and multiple pvs plug combos and ptp w/ hydraulic jackplate). After less than satisfactory results and numerous recommendations from BBCers…..I contacted Chris Bailey & discussed my performance loss & what testing I had done. At his suggestion I tested a hydrofoil (a no drill plastic one) and had very good results. So….I bought a SS foil from Chris and bingo…..tested with my original 26p tempest plus & regained 100% of my performance, got a much better holeshot & can now run on plane at 16 mph.

Is it the answer for everyone….of course not….but it worked for me.