another sappy prop question - but it's a 3.0

[$$brucemac$$]

finished up my first year with our first boat<br /><br />it's a 17.5' Maxum 1800MX runabout with a 3.0L 135HP Merc alpha one. the boat's pretty light, around 2000lbs i think.<br /><br />current prop is a 21p Black Max 3-blade aluminum<br />wot is if I remember right somewhere between 4500 and 4800, top speed with 2 people is around 43-44 or so.<br /><br />i want faster planing, maintain plane at slower speeds, better hole shot and am willing to sacrifice top-end.<br /><br />i've done a a lot of reading. i realize the best way to figure this out is to try one/some, but i'm very limited to prop demos in my area and i've gotten so many different responses from prop shops.<br /><br />my dealer parts guy swears by the high five, says he has my same boat and that it's the holy grail, he gets better holeshot, incredible acceleration and he actually gained top end. he doesn't really seem to care if he sells it to me or not, so i'm not sure why he would make it up. but the price tag is pretty spendy.<br /><br />other shops tell me to go with a 4-blade stainless from someone like MI Wheel, and another guy says not to even waste my money on a SS prop and that a 3.0 isn't going to take advantage of its benefits. <br /><br />SS is pretty spendy, but not so much i couldn't swing it. my question is, in your guys/gals opinions, would it be worth it in my situation? i mean, i can go pick up a 4-blade aluminum 20p down at west marine for a $100! should i just try that and see, or can someone tell me that a high-five or 4-blade apollo is going to be the cats meow? i already have a spare black max, so unfortunately, $100 is a $100 that could have gone into a stainless. i'm really wanting to make the right call here.<br /><br />i guess the bottom line is, is there not going to be ANY performance gains with stainless over aluminum on my motor?

 

[walleyehed]

Re: another sappy prop question - but it's a 3.0

and he actually gained top end.

with a high-5??? this guy is lying......unless he was WAY off with the original prop..

another guy says not to even waste my money on a SS prop and that a 3.0 isn't going to take advantage of its benefits. <br />

And this guy has no knowledge....<br />

other shops tell me to go with a 4-blade stainless from someone like MI Wheel

This may be closer, but I'd steer clear of the MWC 4-blade.<br />You've thrown out quite a few situations here to look at, with too many choices.<br />The key to getting you set up with the right prop is knowing what your WOT is with a normal load (people, gear, etc..) not "4500 or maybe 4800". That tachometer is the most important gauge in the boat. It's the ONLY gauge that really tells you how much work is being done.<br />We need to know what the manufacture recommends as the max RPM, and what your max RPM "is" now.<br />THEN we can take a shot and be a bit more accurate at what you need, and most likely save you some money in the long run.

 

[$$brucemac$$]

Re: another sappy prop question - but it's a 3.0

okay, well then, I guess I'll have to wait until she goes back in the water. i'm pretty sure loaded down WOT is 4500 and 4800 is max.<br /><br />if it is 4500 with a 21p black max 3-blade aluminum can you make some guestimations?

 

[walleyehed]

Re: another sappy prop question - but it's a 3.0

If your max "should" be 4800, and you are now at 4500, 19P(3-bld) in SS would be a good guestimate, but we want a prop suited to push the type of hull and load you have.<br />There are some good 4-bld designs, and they do give good hole-shot with good lift in the correct design.<br />The Apollo is not showing "real" good numbers, and I know they are making some changes to that design now, so that may change.<br />Turbo makes some excellent designs in 3 and 4 bld, Solas Lexor in 3-bld would be a good choice.<br />As you already know, sometimes testing several props is the best way.

 

[$$brucemac$$]

Re: another sappy prop question - but it's a 3.0

so what i'm hearing you say then is<br /><br />1. stainless would benefit me, even with a 3.0 if i find the right one.<br /><br />2. 4 or 5-blade is not necessarily the answer. a proper pitched 3-blade ss may help me get the hole-shot and improved plaining i'm after.

 

[Bondo]

Re: another sappy prop question - but it's a 3.0

current prop is a 21p Black Max 3-blade aluminum<br />wot is if I remember right somewhere between 4500 and 4800, top speed with 2 people is around 43-44 or so.<br /><br />i want faster planing, maintain plane at slower speeds, better hole shot and am willing to sacrifice top-end.<br />

I don't wander down here Too often,+ Kenny knows Way More about Props than I do,........<br />But,........<br />When I read that quote,..... The 1st thing that comes to mind is,..... Smart Tabs.......<br /><br />Smart Tabs should Easily give you All the Advantages you're looking for,..... With the set-up you've got Now..............<br />And,... For Possibly the Same Money as a SSteel Prop........