Finally got my boat to full speed

[tonyjh63]

Ok, so I've finally gotten my boat out in calm water, with just me and my dog. It's a 1999 Bryant 182 Limited with a 4.3 Merc.
I have a 4-blade, 19 pitch prop on it (Turning Point, I think), and the boat topped out at 4500 r.p.m. and 40 m.p.h. Does this sound about right?
I occasionally take a full boatload of folks, and have been thinking of keeping a 4-blade 17 pitch on hand, and maybe a 3-blade 19 pitch for general use. What y'all think?
Thanks!

 

[QBhoy]

Sounds a bit down on rpm and performance to be honest. Not by much, but I’d think that boat should be capable of an easy 45 gps and running to the 4800 rpm with a 19”. The 4 blade won’t be helping much though. Were you trimmed up at those numbers ?

 

[alldodge]

Spec 4400 to 4800
If your looking for top end, put the 3-blade 19, it should get some more mph and get the rpm closer to 4800

 

[tonyjh63]

Sounds a bit down on rpm and performance to be honest. Not by much, but I’d think that boat should be capable of an easy 45 gps and running to the 4800 rpm with a 19”. The 4 blade won’t be helping much though. Were you trimmed up at those numbers ?

Yes, had it trimmed up. It started making that weird noise (cavitation?), and that's when I trim down a tad. Yeah, I'm thinking a 19 pitch 3-blade *should* get me a few more m.p.h... maybe a stainless would perform even better?
Thanks for the reply!

 

[tonyjh63]

Spec 4400 to 4800
If your looking for top end, put the 3-blade 19, it should get some more mph and get the rpm closer to 4800

My thoughts as well. Thanks for the reply!

 

[QBhoy]

Yes, had it trimmed up. It started making that weird noise (cavitation?), and that's when I trim down a tad. Yeah, I'm thinking a 19 pitch 3-blade *should* get me a few more m.p.h... maybe a stainless would perform even better?
Thanks for the reply!

I’d think so. Out with the odd and few serious 4 blade props out there…you don’t get much trim available before you’ll lose grip, with any ally 4 blades I’ve been about. Not too efficient at the top end either. A good 3 blade like a tempest etc should do much better

 

[tonyjh63]

Ok, anyone have recommendations for props, like specific makes/models? Thanks!

 

[ryan 98]

Ok, anyone have recommendations for props, like specific makes/models? Thanks!

A quick silver laser 2 is a great, reasonably priced stainless prop. Lots of bow lift and super forgiving in trim. Tried one on 4 boats ranging from speed boat to a setup like yours and liked it on all of them so far. But if your just using it for normal boating throw a factory style 3 blade aluminum on it. That way when you hit a rock or something you will be buying a new prop. Not a new lower end and prop. And the performance advantage of the stainless on your boat will be pretty marginal and definitely not outweigh the foregivingness of the aluminum prop.

 

[QBhoy]

A quick silver laser 2 is a great, reasonably priced stainless prop. Lots of bow lift and super forgiving in trim. Tried one on 4 boats ranging from speed boat to a setup like yours and liked it on all of them so far. But if your just using it for normal boating throw a factory style 3 blade aluminum on it. That way when you hit a rock or something you will be buying a new prop. Not a new lower end and prop. And the performance advantage of the stainless on your boat will be pretty marginal and definitely not outweigh the foregivingness of the aluminum prop.

They aren’t available to buy anymore for an alpha, as far as I know

 

[Chris1956]

I like the Turning Point Hustlers in 3 and 4 blade. BTW - I had an 18 footer w/ a 4.3LX 205HP. I saw speed very like yours, maybe a couple of MPH more.

Don't overrev that motor. See what your specs are and stick to max RPM limits.