RT178 / 60 hp merc, what prop are you running?

[eriedude]

The boat came with a 10.1" x 14" spitfire aluminum but I'm getting too much rpm out of the motor. Wondering what most guys are running on this rig.

[stratos284]

Mine has the same prop. I get right at 6000 at wot.

[okhawg]

The boat came with a 10.1" x 14" spitfire aluminum but I'm getting too much rpm out of the motor. Wondering what most guys are running on this rig.

What are you measuring your rpms with? In dash oem tachs are often up to a few hundred rpms off.

[contium]

Mine came with the same prop. Ran 5800 on the analog tach at WOT. I'm now running a Trophy Sport 13 pitch X 10.625" and get 5900 to 6000 RPM at WOT. That's with a fully loaded boat and 2 people.

[gatorglenn]

Mine came with the same prop. Ran 5800 on the analog tach at WOT. I'm now running a Trophy Sport 13 pitch X 10.625" and get 5900 to 6000 RPM at WOT. That's with a fully loaded boat and 2 people.

Trophy is a great prop for these rigs. What's your holeshot like.

[contium]

Trophy is a great prop for these rigs. What's your holeshot like.

My RT popped right up on plane with the stock Spitfire and even better with the Trophy Sport. The relatively flat bottom of the RT seems to be pretty easy to get on plane. Trophy Sport handles better and can trim all the way without blowing out. However, I changed multiple things so what is due to changing pitch, prop material or design, who knows. I only replaced the Spitfire because I damaged it and the Trophy Sport isn't that expensive.

[gatorglenn]

My RT popped right up on plane with the stock Spitfire and even better with the Trophy Sport. The relatively flat bottom of the RT seems to be pretty easy to get on plane. Trophy Sport handles better and can trim all the way without blowing out. However, I changed multiple things so what is due to changing pitch, prop material or design, who knows. I only replaced the Spitfire because I damaged it and the Trophy Sport isn't that expensive.

Thanks, I was wondering about the 13p. Iam on the fence about the 13 or 14p. I feel I need a 13, but if your running as heavy as I think. With your rpms being really perfect. Then it maybe not enough pitch for me. I have a on water weight, in the neighborhood of 1800 lbs. At the heaviest I get.

[vandamit]

I've now dinged up my 2nd aluminum prop and I'm pretty sick of it. $40 each time to get it fixed. I want to go stainless now also but I'm confused on what to get so I'm watching this? I have a 2012 60 hp merc.

[cvang86]

I typically carry 13 rods and way too much tackle and safety equipment. I went through a handful of props on my Crestliner VT 17 before settling on a 13p Trophy Sport. Flat out best combination of holeshot and top speed. 5900 RPM and 35.6 mph.

[gatorglenn]

I typically carry 13 rods and way too much tackle and safety equipment. I went through a handful of props on my Crestliner VT 17 before settling on a 13p Trophy Sport. Flat out best combination of holeshot and top speed. 5900 RPM and 35.6 mph.

I believe you when you say the best combination. Friend of mine has a RT 178. We went through a couple of props for him and the conclusion was the trophy sport. My problem was I was on that line between either a 14 or 13p. But after putting the Minnkota Maxim on this weekend. I'm definitely going with the 13 pitch also. The 14 pitch power tech prop. Today with my wife all my gear full tank of gas. I could only manage 5400 to 5500 rpm's at 36.5 GPS. That was with warmer water of course. This is how I will run my boat 95% of the time. So I'm definitely going with the 13 pitch.

[vandamit]

the trophy is a 4 blade prop correct?

[gatorglenn]

the trophy is a 4 blade prop correct?

Yes

[R0lltide]

I believe you when you say the best combination. Friend of mine has a RT 178. We went through a couple of props for him and the conclusion was the trophy sport. My problem was I was on that line between either a 14 or 13p. But after putting the Minnkota Maxim on this weekend. I'm definitely going with the 13 pitch also. The 14 pitch power tech prop. Today with my wife all my gear full tank of gas. I could only manage 5400 to 5500 rpm's at 36.5 GPS. That was with warmer water of course. This is how I will run my boat 95% of the time. So I'm definitely going with the Ed 13 pitch.

I know it’s old thread but what did you end up with? Mine has a 60 mercury and 4 blade stock spitfire. I’m confused on everyone’s readings here. Mine will turn up 6400 rpm so I have to back it down and at 5800-6000 rpm I’mwill only going 27 mph. Only 21 hours on the engine. And I’m getting my readings from the engine via vessel view not the tach… mine is what I believe is a 12 pitch but doesn’t say on it and the numbers stamped on it will not pull up a match on google…

[Xpress1]

It should be a 14p spitfire. I had the 13 and it wasn’t enough prop. Have the 13p trophy sport and it’s perfect.

[R0lltide]

New question, what diameter are you guys running? I put a 14 pitch spitfire on from all the recommendations and I did t account for diameter. The diameter is slightly smaller than my 12p. The 12p is 10.3 and the 14 is 10.1, the performance was identical. I still had to back down the throttle to keep it under 6000 rpm. This is starting to really add up and be costly… I spoke with a man who sells powertech and he recommends to 10.5” diameter 3 blade swc3 in an 11 pitch. Seems crazy to drop to an 11 when I’m over revving with a 12 and 14 pitch. My buddy has a 17 foot bass tracker with the 50hp 4 stroke and runs a 3 blade black max with 17 pitch. Runs 36 mph and satisfied with it.