I run a bass cat pantera II (19 ft boat) with a 200 optimax. I have a 4 blade 26 pitch prop. The fastest I have got the boat is 62 on water like glass and felt like I was barely hanging on. This is my first bass boat and I figured a 26 pitch prop would give better top end. Is the 4 blade slowing me down, or am I just a rookie that doesn't know how to drive the boat.

as a general rule a 3 blade is faster..
there are ways to figure how fast a certain pitch prop should run given the rpm's and gear ratio.
I'm guessing your 200 has a 1.87 to 1 gear ratio-- if your turning a 26 to 5800 rpm and running 62 GPS that figures out to 18% slip .. I'm not that familiar with your boat but that sounds like it's in the ball park.
Could tell you more if knew how many rpm's it's turning at your top speed.

26 four blade seems to big on a 200

I don't know the rpm's when I get there, I will check next time I take it out. That was the prop on the boat when I bought it.

I run an 09 pantera classic, something is way off in your numbers. That boat should run 70 gps without much issue. Most people run a 3 blade fury prop in 25 or 26 pitch, but there are plenty who run a 4 blade as well. What is your carrying load? Jackplate height? Water pressure at WOT? Have a hotfoot?

Since he's a new boater.....does he understand trim and how to use it? I've been out with many guys who said their boat is slow only to discover they failed to ever get the bow up and get on the pad....

3 blade is faster.

That 200 will probably like a 25P Fury with the prop shaft 2.5" below the pad.

My carrying load isn't very much. I have a small manual jackplate and don't know the height. I do have a hotfoot, but haven't paid attention to water pressure at WOT. To get to 60's i have to have pedal to the floor and then trim up to the point where I FEEL like only the prop is in the water. I am taking the boat out sunday, if I can find water calm enough, Ill test it out.

You could also be over trimming it, while at WOT look behind you. The rooster tail should be no higher than the motor cowling. If it's higher then you're over trimmed.

Propping your boat can be a long and expensive journey. You need to go to BBC BassCat forum and post that question. You'll get a ton of good info from a broad audience of BassCat owners.

Also, water with a slight chop is better for running top speed because it gets air under the hull and helps with lift. 3 blade is usually better for top end, but EVERY setup can be different. Good luck.

"... but haven't paid attention to water pressure at WOT."

Repair shops LOVE boaters like that! djones, please understand that the most important gauge in your boat is your water pressure gauge. Ignore that, and you can quickly be spending many thousands of $. Just ask the guys who picked up a plastic bag while zipping along. While there are warning horns, you really don't want to ever let it get to that, or depend upon it.

Makes sense, thanks for the help guys.

It's a basscat. Majority love the engine pretty deep. Fury a have been successful. Doesn't take much trim for a pantera to lift. Probably one of the finest driving boats. Keep your weight far back and hang on.

True that!

+1

Your boat should hit 70 pretty easily if you are solo. Typically a 3 blade is faster if you are not loaded too heavily. If you have 3 guys in the boat and livewells full and gas tank full a 4 blade will be slightly faster. I would expect your rig to run 62 loaded heavy like that but as some of the guys have said a 26 is probably too much pitch for a 200 on that hull.

Here is the deal. In cold weather and cool water, you might be okay with the 26 if you are loaded light & running solo. I doubt you will be able to turn a 26 loaded down in the hotter months. Heat & humidity are horsepower robbers. It is not uncommon for any boat to lose 4-5 mph in the summer heat.

If you have a dealer or prop shop that will work with you and let you try some props, I would start with a 25 Fury for cool weather, light load. Then fill your livewells and gas tank and try the same prop. It will feel more sluggish getting out of the hole. That's normal but see how the 25 runs on top end loaded down.