Caracal & 4 blade prop experience with Evinrude 225hp G2

I have a 2018 Caracal with an Evinrude 225hp G2 that I bought used last summer with 170hrs on the engine. Since then I have I put another 25 hrs of driving experience on this boat combination. I don't consider myself much beyond a novice when it comes to performance bass boats as this is my first serious bass boat. I currently have a 3 blade Raker HO (14.5 x 25) prop on the engine. This engine seems to have a lot of torque and I really enjoy it on my Caracal. However, when coming out of the hole I will consistently get blowout (ventilation ?) unless I back off the throttle as I come up on plane. As I have learned to drive this boat I have gotten much better at preventing this from happening. Perhaps this is normal but it seems to have taken a bit of practice to get the timing right. I am pretty ignorant when it comes to props, etc. but the more research I have done I am led to believe that I should seriously switch to a 4 blade prop for various performance reasons summarized below. In summary I am hoping to accomplish: .... improved hole shot, ability to stay on plane at slower speeds, and improved performance in rougher water. Top end speed is not a concern to me so losing a few mph to gain improvements in these areas would be very acceptable to me. Looking for some advice / personal experience with this engine boat combination or just general recommendations in regards to performance changes in the Caracal in making prop changes. I am seriously considering the 4 blade Evinrude Rx4 prop in one of these two sizes.... 15x25 or 15x24..... Could I likely tell any significant difference in these two props (from one another) with slightly different pitch? Sorry for the long post....

This topic has 5 replies, 4 voices, and was last updated 2 years, 2 months ago by IowaBass.

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February 19, 2023 at 10:31 am #709400

bcbseymour45
Participant

Sounds to me like you have the right plan. 4 blade should help accomplish everything you are looking for, especially if you don’t care about any sacrificed top end speed. Based on what you explained, if I was picking I would probably go 24p.

February 21, 2023 at 6:43 pm #709425

lebowski
Participant

You need to plug up your pvs holes on your propeller. If you are “blowing “out your prop is not gripping the water bc the water is to aerated

February 21, 2023 at 8:00 pm #709429

PhilAddison
Participant

You have a rare rig (bass cat w/ evinrude) and therefore you will get likely no answers to your question unless BCB offers up something. i would go the cheap route on this one and lower the engine with the jack plate.

February 21, 2023 at 10:05 pm #709437

lebowski
Participant

What kind of Jack plate do u have ? How far of a setback ? U need to figure out your prop to pad. 3-3.5 inches is average.

February 22, 2023 at 4:41 pm #709449

IowaBass
Participant

Thanks for all your insight guys! I did manage to find another gentleman on a different bass fishing online forum who has the exact setup as mine. He bought his Caracal new from a dealer and was told they tested a few other 3 blade Raker HO props (in different pitches) and they said the Caracal performed the best with the 14.5 x 25. As I have mentioned in other posts I am sort of a novice to this quality bass boat stuff so perhaps I was expecting too much. After talking to a few other guys I am feeling much better about my current setup. I can get on plane from the hole shot in around 3-4 seconds.

Lebowski, I believe you are correct about the propeller port holes. The gentleman I mentioned sent me a photo of his Raker HO prop (up close) and his ports are adjusted much more closed than mine. The Raker HO prop has the Variable Vent Ports system… they can be adjusted with a torx screwdriver. He states he gets no noticeable ventilation during hole shot. So I am going to adjust mine some and see what affects it has on my prop ventilation during hole shot. My ports are currently set wide open.

I would like to be able to cruise at a slower speed without coming off plane,… so I am anticipating that a 4 blade prop will make the most noticeable difference in that regards so I am still considering a 4 blade prop as well (likely 24 pitch)

Thanks guys!!!
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