I have a 1998 17ft Larson 176 SEI bowrider with a Volvo Penta SX Cobra 3.0
Liter with 130HP. I have a 3 blade alum. prop, which is 14 1/4 x 21 pitch.
It is lightly pitted and has very minor damage to it. At WOT my RPM gauge
reads 2300 with a top speed between 33-36 MPH in fresh water. My owners
manual states that the recommended operating range at wide open throttle is
between 4400 - 4600 RPMs. This is a big difference in RPMs. I have
trouble getting skiers up and have played with the trim and weight
distribution to no avail. Should I get a 4 blade, larger diameter, or
lower pitch prop? What else would cause it not to plan or reach the
recommended WOT RPM range? Thanks.