I HAVE DECIDED TO NOT GO WITH THE FOIL AND INSTEAD REPLACE THE PROP. I AM LOOKING FOR SOME INFORMED OPINIONS ON PROP SELECTION. I AM LOOKING TO PRIMARILY IMPROVE HOLE SHOT AND LOW SPEED HANDLING. I AM CURRENTLY RUNNING THE FACTORY 3 BLADE TEMPEST WHICH IS PITCHED AT 25.

I AM LOOKING TO GO WITH A 4 BLADE PROP, EITHER A STILLETO OR A TROPHY.

MY BOAT IS A NITRO 591 18'7" LONG.

WIEGHT IS ACCORDING TO NITRO 1550LBS WITH ABOUT 500 LBS OF GEAR AND PASSENGERS AT ANY GIVEN TIME.

ENGINE IS A MERCURY OPTIMAX 175

RPM AT WOT IS ABOUT 5200. WELL WITHIN ACCEPTABLE RPMS AS I UNDERSTAND IT.

CAN ANYBODY TELL ME WHAT PROP WOULD BE BEST FOR IMPROVING HOLD SHOT. BOAT RUNS GREAT WHEN ON PLANE. CAN I PITCH IT DOWN NO MORE THAN 2" WITHOUT PROBLEMS AND WOULD THIS HELP WITH HOLE SHOT?           THANKS A LOT FOR YOUR HELP!

Going to a lower pitch will help your hole shot as will a 4 blade prop.   The pitch will up your rpm a little bit too which will help your motor turn up to its max of 5750.  You will probably be a little slower though, but not much.  I have a 4 blade 24 pitch on my 150 on a 18' boat and it jumps up on plane but it tops out at 60 mph.

Thank you for the information. i am going to go with a 4 blade prop in 23 or 24 pitch. i was considering a 5 blade prop but i think that is a little excessive. i like the idea of the hydrofoil but i am worried about possible damage to cavitation plate or lower unit somehow occurring. mercury marine said that if any damage occurrs, that it would void the warranty. i don' t want to risk that.

I run a Trophy +  ...  great prop and couldn't be happier. I know where you can get an awesome deal on one if you are interested, send me a PM