Re: prop question, do rpm matter?
 

Confused here when you say "smaller prop" the smaller prop should give less cruise speed and more RPM at WOT and should plane quicker???

Re: prop question, do rpm matter?
 

running the correct pitch prop will allow your boat to plane quicker - think of it like this: you're driving a stick shift vehicle - you attempt to start off in 3rd gear - what happens ? same thing occurs with a boat engine,with way too much prop pitch.too much pitch,the boat's a dog outta the hole - no lift

as far as rpm is concerned:
think of it like this,you're running the engine on the hose - you "rev" it - the rpm climbs quickly -right ? runs and screams on the hose - right ? no load on the engine.for max engine durability,you want that engine to hit it's max rpm,with the boat loaded,as it's noramlly ran...there's a reason an engine mfg puts this reccomended range on an engine - that's where they want it to run.

it's all about "load" ...