94' Rinker Captiva 195 w/4.3

quadridermx

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Jun 13, 2005
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I'm seeking the perfect prop...

Currently, I have a mercury torque-shifting prop on a 1994 Rinker Captiva open bow. Starts off at 15p and ends at 19p. This prop doesn't seem to have very much cup to it. I'm looking to just get a fixed-pitch prop and would appreciate any recommendations. Motor is a great-running 4.3 4bbl. Rated for 190 hp I believe. Boat has a fairly deep hull. Takes a bit to get it out of the water and on plane.

Boat will run almost 5,000 RPM with the current prop and tops out a little over 45 with a couple people in the boat. I would like to buy two props, a 4 blade for watersports as well as a 3 blade for higher-speed cruising.

1) From the research I've done on this site, for the 3-blade prop, I should probably stay with the 19p and go with an aggressive cup and rake. I assume this should take my RPM's down to about 4700? Does anyone recommend an agressive 3-blade prop (aluminum or ss) with a lot of cupping? I'm thinking this should provide decent holeshot with a good top end.

2) 4-blade prop. With the motor revving to almost 5000 with the 19p 3-blade that's currently on it, I'm thinking of also buying an 18p 4-blade. I keep hearing great things about the stiletto bay pro 2. Is this everything it's cracked up to be? Are there any other 4-blade props in aluminum or ss that are as good as the stiletto?


Thank you in advance for any help or tips you can spare me!
 

tmh

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Aug 16, 2006
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Re: 94' Rinker Captiva 195 w/4.3

I just got the Stiletto BPII and love it. I'm not sure you wouldn't be better off with the 20" Pitch though as you currently are high on WOT RPM. I guess 18" if low end is the #1 priority but maybe 20" if cruising is equal or higher priority.
 

quadridermx

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Re: 94' Rinker Captiva 195 w/4.3

If you don't mind me asking, how much cup does the BPII have? I'm only over the suggested redline by about 100 RPM and am currently using a prop with very little cup.

Since I'm switching to a 4-blade I know I should decrease the pitch by 1 to make it approximately even RPM-wise with a 19p 3-blade. I figure if the BPII has somewhat aggressive cupping, this will take care of the extra 100 rpm and put me right at the upper range of my motor's recommended RPM.

Am I correct in my thinking on this? I'd hate to go with a 20p, be overpropped, and lose any holeshot gain a 4-blade would provide.
 

tmh

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Aug 16, 2006
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Re: 94' Rinker Captiva 195 w/4.3

Yeah, I really am no prop expert so i can't say how agressively cupped my BPII is - more than my previous 19" SS 3 blade, but I was underpropped with that one - I think I lost maybe 200 rpm from the 19" 3-blade to the 20" 4-blade which I needed because I was over rpm range.

For mid range and top end WOT I think the 20" would be fine because the BPII will pick your boat's heavy arse up out of the water a bit so when cruising you don't have as much drag (less slip). On the hole shot maybe this isn't as big a factor so the 18" would be better.

Sorry, sounds like you're a "tweener" and there isn't a sure answer.
 

quadridermx

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Jun 13, 2005
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Re: 94' Rinker Captiva 195 w/4.3

Well thank you for your insight.

Can anyone else shed some light on the BPII? Or what would be a good 3-blade prop to go with for my type of setup?
 
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