[Bushwacker]

Brian, it sounds like you may be pretty close to optimum on motor height. Do you know how far you can trim it out before it starts to porpoise? I can't run much higher than 65% (where 100% is where it switches to tilt mode).

I'd defer to Fr. Frank on specific prop selection; check his posts on how to select a prop. Don't know what the max rpm rating is on your motor, but if you couldn't over rev it a bit with that light load, you'll definitely want less pitch as you increase load. You said you're planning to add a T-top, and that will also drive you towards lower pitch. I'd also check min planing speed with heavy load, as some boats with brackets are stern heavy and like a stern lifting prop, as many of the offshore type 4 blade props are. After trying 17 and 19" 3-blade props, I switched to the 4 blade stern-lifting type. It helped be get my min planing speed down to 12-13 mph, which is really great in a 20 when it gets rough! The 21' Unohu made a crossing from West Palm to West End one time in 20-25 kt east winds and 10-12' head seas! Took him 5 hrs, but he only burned 19 gallons to run 60 miles, so there's a lot to be said for a low planing speed!

Maybe you could pick up a cheap used aluminum 19" to try with the heavier load, and then a good prop shop could tweak it (Repitch to lower pitch to increase rpm or increase cup to reduce rpm.) My spare prop is an aluminum 4B that was repitched from 20 to 18" so it turns 55-5600 with very heavy loads, which is perfect. My SS 20" prop turns about 5200 with normal load and gets better mpg, but only about turn about 4600 with 6 folks in the boat! Am thinking about getting a Powertech that turns about 5500 with a normal load so I have more margin for heavier load. Denny