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I have a 1989, 18' Outrage with a 1999 Honda BF130A fuel injected, with a doel fin, mounted all the way up. (top bolt is in bottom hole) The prop is a powertech TN90RED3R17. The boat runs 35 mph on GPS @ 5600 rpm. Seems like it should run faster and maybe the rpm's are low.

Lookin for advice, thanks

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35 MPH is slow of an Outrage 18 with 130 HP. I would expect it to reach 40 MPH. Tell us more about the boat and where/how it is used. Is it new to you? Does it have bottom paint? Tee-top? If you just bought it, did you have the motor checked out?

The Honda BF130A has a 5000-6000 RPM recommended engine speed range and you are well within that now. However, a 17" pitch prop at 35 MPH and 5600 RPM is over 22 percent slip, way more that the PowerTech! RED 3 blade model should allow.

It is possible you are overpropped but I suspect the real problem is the motor not generating its full power. The Honda BF130 uses an intermediate size gearcase and is the largest outboard to do so. This limits your propeller choices quite a bit and for a relatively large boat like an Outrage 18, you want a prop with a lot of blade area to help transfer the power to forward motion. The PowerTech! RED 3 blade is a good model of propeller for a lot of small Whalers, but probably not a good fit in this case.

I would not fool around with props (or any other changes) until you have the motor checked out.

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Tom
Thank you for the reply.
I purchased the boat about a year ago from an older gentleman in Rockport, Texas. He was selling for a neibor that had relocated to Maine. He claimed the moter had just been serviced. The first time we took it out I saw 131 hours on the original Honda tach.
I use the boat mainly in Galveston Bay and run the intercoastal just cruising about half the time, fishing the jettys the rest, don't really venture off shore.
The boat had bottom paint, but I removed it, sanded, sanded, sanded, compounded and waxed.
It has no T top and the batteries are in the console. Pretty much just a basic 18 Outrage.
The motor starts right up every time and runs really smooth, I will make sure that is running on all cylinders as a first step.
Is it possible with the motor all the way up that I am experiencing the high slip rate?
Lastly, is the Doel fin a contributing factor?

Thanks
Paul

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A doel fin on most Whalers are not needed.

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A Honda mounted all the way up on a Whaler is not really that high.

I wonder of the prop has been modified. Any extra markings on it? What is its condition?

At any rate, if we simply look at it as a "what prop is best" question, and ignore what's on there now, I'd recommend a prop with a lot of blade area and there iust aren't that many out there for the intermediate gearcase motors.

I'd start with a 14" x 15" Stiletto Star 4.25. Large diameter, large blades, low rake all contribute to stern lift to get the hull up and on plane fast.

Get rid of the Doel-Fin, it's a Band-Aid not a solution.

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I was hoping you would just come right out and tell what the best prop would be, thank you for that.

The current prop is in perfect condition no dents, dings and no additional markings.

Does the prop you recommend come with hub and has to be specific for the motor, or no hub and you order the correct hub insert?

Thanks again
Sincerly
Paul

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You didn't mention the doel fin.
Don't forget to take it off and test what the boat will do without it.

Wide Open Throttle RPM's are a must know for any prop evaluation.
As you stated, 5600 is what you have now with the doel fin.

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Joe
I will remove the doel fin, the new prop should give the hole shot performance i want.
i will also check fuel, fire and compression.
thanks

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Paul -- The Star, like all Stiletto props made in the last four years, are cast with a "square bore" hub so they can use any of the Flo-Torq style hub kits.

I have a 14" x 15" Stiletto Star here that I let somebody demo once. If you want to pay the freight, you can borrow it to test, or buy if you like it.

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My zip is 77590, can you tell what freight will cost?
Do you have the hub insert?
What is the price on the prop?
Thanks Tom

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Paul -- It would probably cost about $20 to ship it.

No, I do not have a hub kit for a Honda BF130A.

The prop is $225 and I'll credit the $20 shipping if you buy it, otherwise you pay the shipping and the return shipping if you return it (figure about $40 round trip.)

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Let;s do it, I' ll send you a PM, thanks

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Tom
I recieved your prop and did some test runs this past weekend. Outstanding, the boat went from 35mph to 42 mph, rpm stayed the same @ 5600 rpm. Hole shot is great, no need for the Doel fin, great throttle response all around.
The prop was very fairly priced as well.
I didn't realize how poorly the rig was performing.
One thing for sure, Tom Clark knows his stuff.

Many thanks

Sincerly
Paul