Prop help please

[m_fitzko1]

I just purchased a 2012 tracker boat with a 40 hp mercury 4 stroke motor. I want to get better prop for it and use the one on it for a spare. The one on it is a 13 x 26 2.00:1 I want better performance like a 4 blade prop but I don't know what to get or the size as I knew to a big boat if someone could help me I would really appreciate it thanks

[Slab Junkie]

The way your post reads is that you have a 26p prop with a 13" diameter running 2:1 gear ratio. The gear ratio may be correct but there is no way it is a 26p on a motor that small. We really need more info. Look at the prop again and confirm the pitch. Tells us how many rpms you are running now, speed, condition of current prop, and what you want to accomplish by swapping it out ie better holeshot, more top end, etc.

[Barnacle Bill]

That number he gives is off a tag Mercury puts on the lower unit. It is not the prop size.

[CatFan]

Repost the numbers off the prop itself and then include your GPS WOT speed with a normal fishing load and the engine RPM at that speed.

You are probably going to be around an 11X11 or 10.5X12 or somewhere around that.

A 4 blade prop doesn't necessarily perform better than a 3 blade. The 4 generally gives a little better bow lift but sacrifices top speed. It's often worthwhile to contact a dealer that has props you can borrow to try out.

[shermanator]

Catfan is straight on with his post, with a 40hp engine you're not going to break any speed records anyway so I'd stick with what you got. Only thing I'd might upgrade to is a stainless steel one if it doesn't have one. A 4 blade prop will only get you up on plane a little faster....