Prop question?

We bought an 18' Bayliner this summer, we have a jeep and did not want to get a big truck so boat size and weight was limited to the towing capacity of our jeep, max tow 3,500lbs.

Boat has a 115hp outboard, we ski behind it the wife can get up on a slalom ski no problem. I weight 185 and its a struggle, currently running a 16p 3 blade at Lake Powell 3,600' ABSL and I hit close to max rpm's with that prop. I can run wide open 5800rpm @ 38mph max rpm is 6000.

Considering a 15p 4 blade prop for better acceleration to get me up quicker and easier, not to concerned about losing a little top end speed.

Thoughts?

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RE:Prop question?

I had an 18 ft Bayliner with a 125 HP Merc. I ran a 3 blade 17 pitch. Based on what you describe, I would go to a 15 pitch 3 blade A 4 blade has more drag. Did the same thing with my friends 18 ft StarCraft and the 15 gets it on plane fast. The motor needs to be running at 5500 RPM at cruise or close to it. Note your current RPM performance and if you are running 5500 at wide open throttle, don't change it.

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