2016 H190 Aluminum to SS Prop question.

[Jimwhall]

So I have a 2016 H190 SS that I just bought. Love it so far.
Prop: 14x21 Aluminum (assuming it's the stock prop)
Weight (Dry): 2800lbs
Engine 4.3 Liter Mercruiser (pretty sure it's MPI?).

The first time I ran it though (after it sat for awhile. I just had surgery and it was killing me to not run it) it took awhile to get to plane with just my wife and kids. After the first hole shot it was better, but still wasn't quite as quick as I would have thought. I didn't drive due to my arm surgery but my wife did. She had it up around 43 mph and the RPM's were at about 4000-4100 just looking at it. So, the questions:

I've had people tell me to get a SS prop to maximize performance.

* How would that affect things? I'm assuming because it doesn't slip I should maybe go down a level in pitch?

* Would the lack of slippage help or hurt hole shot if I stayed at the same pitch?

* I did the 'Prop Wizard' on the Turning Point site and it suggested a 17 pitch prop. That's a big difference! Still, if I'm goign to be towing Tubers/knee boarders alot is it better for engine/drivetrain?

Thank you for your input.

 

[alldodge]

Stainless props blades are thinner then aluminum so less drag, and they don't flex like aluminum does. If something is hit with stainless it can break the drive, but same hit with aluminum then it has a good chance to just be the prop.

Current family load reaching 4000-4100 with 19, and going to 17 should raise rpm 4300 to 4600 rpm. Rule of thumb is 300 to 400 with inch of pitch change.

Changing to stainless can add another 100

 

[Stinnett21]

21" is probably a bit steep for your setup but I wouldn't expect it to account for 600-800 rpm lapse. You say the hole shot got better after the first time. This raises a flag. How long did it sit without being run? Was your wife using trim?

 

[poconojoe]

I wouldn't risk the damage that can be done internally when hitting something with a SS prop.
I'd rather replace a prop than break a shaft.
But that's me...I always err on the cautious side.

It's up to you. Just make sure you know the pros and cons and if you feel it's worth it.

 

[Jimwhall]

21" is probably a bit steep for your setup but I wouldn't expect it to account for 600-800 rpm lapse. You say the hole shot got better after the first time. This raises a flag. How long did it sit without being run? Was your wife using triI

it sat abotu 2.5 weeks, unfortunately. Ran fine once we got it going. We did a lake test prior to purchase and it was fine there too.

I can't say about the trim, or even precisely where the throttle position was. She was driving and it's her first time driving any boat. I had shoulder surgery and can't move the throttle lever with my right arm enough yet. I'll take it out again soon and we'll figure out what's going on.

 

[Stinnett21]

2.5 weeks is no issue. Was wondering if it could be bad unstabilized gas if it had sat for long period. Your 21" may not be that far off then. I dropped from 21 to 19 a few years ago and made a big improvement. Wondered why I hadn't done it years prior.

 

[Jimwhall]

2.5 weeks is no issue. Was wondering if it could be bad unstabilized gas if it had sat for long period. Your 21" may not be that far off then. I dropped from 21 to 19 a few years ago and made a big improvement. Wondered why I hadn't done it years prior.

I wondered that too. I bought it with the gas in it so I don't know how old it was. I was going to top off with some rec gas; it's down to about 1/3 tank right now.

Unfortunately, I can't drive so my impression was entirely 'butt dyno'. Once I can I'll have a better idea.

As an aside, having a nice new boat and no ability to put it in the water/drive it is KILLING ME LOL. But I'm just lucky to have been able to get the boat in this market.

 

[Stinnett21]

Please report back once you get a hold of things. I'm considering another re-prop and would be interested to know.

 

[Jimwhall]

Please report back once you get a hold of things. I'm considering another re-prop and would be interested to know.

Will do. Might be awhile though. Once I can start driving it I like to play around with a prop alot to get an idea how it performs and where my RPM's are.

I've been encouraged to go SS but I'm just not there. I haven't had a prop strike in years but my wife and likely kids will be driving this before too long so I think I'll stay with something softer and more self sacrificial.

 

[Stinnett21]

I boat on a deep inland reservoir where bottom strikes are almost non-existent. Strikes with floating debris, however, is very common sometimes big stuff. I've always had a steel prop and it has remained unharmed throughout this for many seasons. This is the main reason I run steel. I don't get into races with anyone after all but I do recognize that as far as durability and design performance goes steel cannot be beat. I wish I had the money and time to play with props more...ha.

 

[QBhoy]

I’d have a 19” tempest on that set up, personally. Good to be right up the rpm wot on these mpi 4.3. They can be very lazy out the hole with too much prop.

 

[Jimwhall]

I’d have a 19” tempest on that set up, personally. Good to be right up the rpm wot on these mpi 4.3. They can be very lazy out the hole with too much prop.

Thank you! I haven't tried to tow with it but I might well do that. With the 19 can you overspeed the engine at WOT?

I'm loving this boat. My previous boat is a '95 Sylvan with a 112 Johnson; and I loved that. This is a nicer boat though.

Driving the 4.3 made me chuckle. I drove a Jimmy in the 90's and my brother had one after that and the one in the H190 reminds me exactly of those: 'I have lots of torque and I'm durable as hell. But if you want to rev, buy a motorcycle....'