Baja 192 prop selection help

[adluginb]

Just purchased a 2008 Baja 192 islander with only 15 hours on it. Boat is literally brand new and previous owner couldn't have even ran 2 tanks of fuel through it before winterizing and putting it in storage for 4 years.

I went ahead and changed all the fluids and boat starts up perfectly and runs great.

My question is it seems like it takes a little longer than usual to get on plane when I have more than 2 people in the boat. Boat is rated for 8 people.

The prop on the boat is a Mercury Laser II stainless 21 pitch. Has these numbers on the side of the prop. 48-16546 21P. Not sure what diameter that translates to.

At WOT I'm hitting 4500 rpm's and running 51mph after trimming out with two people. Boat is 19'2" and has a 5.0L 220hp Mercury in it. Alpha one drive with 1.62 ratio.

I wouldn't mind losing a little top speed for a better hole shot to get on plane faster when there is more than myself in the boat. Also bought the boat to ski with but haven't tried it yet but it seems like its only going to be worse once I start trying to yank a skier out of the water.

Thanks for any recommendations as to what pitch and diameter I should try as well as brands or models of props.

 

[steelespike]

Re: Baja 192 prop selection help

I wonder if it is fully broken in?
I'm no Lazer expert but the first thing I notice is it is a bow lifter; would seem to me that would slow hole shot.
According to the prop calculator your performance is good with only 7% slip at 51 mph. 4500.
Again not an expert:: but if you got the same prop in a 20" It could give you about 4700 rpm at about the same speed with a touch better hole shot.
Also I believe the Lazer can be vented though I'm not sure how effective it is on an I/O.
Smart Tabs carefully applied should improve hole shot stay on plane easier at reduced throttle
and reduce no wake speed wander.
A 4 blade 20" prop should help hole shot At a slight cost of top end.

 

[adluginb]

Re: Baja 192 prop selection help

I too also wondered if the motor is even broken in yet. I only ran it at WOT for just a minute or two as I read in the manual not to do that until hitting 20 hours.

I primarily bought boat for skiing, pulling a tube, so I really need to set it up for that. I had 7 people in it over the weekend and I know that's pushing it for load but it would take around 8-10 secs to get up on plane. I was still able to run 46mph at wot with that load though.

 

[steelespike]

Re: Baja 192 prop selection help

I would say 8 to 10 seconds with over 1000 lbs aboard is good.
I've seen new boats that could only manage 6 seconds with no one aboard.
If your going to ski with 7 people aboard you may want to consider a 18" 4 blade.

 

[emilsr]

Re: Baja 192 prop selection help

Congrats on the new boat!

At 15 hours its just about broken in. The lasser will give you the best top speed, but it has a lot of slip at lower speeds. What a lot of Baja guys like for the small block boats is a Turbo 2+2 TH. 20" of pitch will suit you fine.

It makes a passabe tow boat when propped correctly. Trim tabs help too; made a world of difference on our 202 Islander.