How to get a Thunderbird / Formula F-1 out of the hole faster?

Question

I have a 1983 16.5 foot Formula with a Mercruiser 470 engine. The model of the boat is the Formula One. I use the boat for water skiing and would like know if anyone has this same boat and has made modifications that has successfully gotten boat to pop a skier out of the water faster?

At present I'm running her with a 3 blade 14 X 19 Prop. I'm thinking of adding smart tabs - automatic trim tabs and maybe a 4 or 5 blade prop. When I go skiing, the average weight of the skier would be about 215 LBs. As you can see, I need to trick this boat out a much as I can to pop a big skier out of the water with 430 to 645 LBs of passengers watching.

Answer 1

forklift

Answer 2

No real tricks.

Make sure your engine is trimmed all the way down to start.

Load as much weight forward as possible.

Think about a four blade or five blade prop. Of course this may sacrifice some top end, but it might not matter.

When re-propping always be aware of the your recommended WOT operating range. Don't want to over or under-do it.

Answer 3

Get a 4 blade drop down to 17 pitch> And Add a larger cup> 4 blade will help with the lower end but will lower the top speed>Contact a prop shop for help>Most will let you try out a prop to see if it will work for you>