Best overall performance propeller for 94 MerCruiser 4.3LX

[Patrick_L]

Hello all !

Old one is a little beat up by previous owner so I'd like to start fresh. I don't know much about them yet other than what it measures: 13.5" in diameter. It's 3 blade with Alpha 1 outdrive. don't plan on having more than 6 people on it.

Boat: 94 Rinker 202 Festiva

Any advice on what to look for is appreciated !

 

[roffey]

I think we will need ....

Year of motor, but I believe yours is a 190hp but not sure (might be 175 depending on year)
If so we will need the RPM you hit now
The make and size of the boat
and
Current pitch of the prop is.

Pop size is one of those questions that will get lots of advice and opinions, LOL

 

[H20Rat]

What don't you like about your current prop, what are you trying to fix. (if it is just beat up, take it to a prop shop and just have them refinish it for way cheaper than a new one!) What are your typical boating conditions and load?

Also, there is a forum for exactly this question, with a helpful sticky of the pieces of info you need that roffey mentioned.

 

[jkust]

94 hp would still have been measured at the flywheel right plus it is pre vortec.

 

[Patrick_L]

It's just bent in few spots on the edges. I didn't know you could get those refinished smokingcrater. I will attach some photos when I get to it later on today.

@roffrey - I believe it's 190 HP 4.3LX V6 ( boat is a '94 ). I'll look at the specs including prop specs ( pitch, diameter, etc. )

 

[roffey]

I can tell you my boat has a 4.3 TKS (190 hp) and a 23 inch prop. My speed is 53 mph at 4900 RPM. My RPM is a little high. My boat is a 20 foot bow rider and weighs 2500 lb.

FYI, I purchased a remanufactured prop last year for 130 Canadian. This prop looks brand new. My father banged up his prop and sent it away and it was fixed like new. If you do order a new prop be careful not to over prop as you wont get a correct RPM, should be 4800. Don't under prop it or you will over rev the motor. I keep a spare prop on the boat just for the unfortunate event, ouch.

 

[Patrick_L]

Definitely a good idea to have a spare ! Mine is a 3 blade and 13-14" in diameter ( not big ). Boat itself is 2700 lbs and i don't plan on having more than 5-6 people on it. I haven't been able to watch RPM's yet since I only took it out once to test it out. I just bought it and when i took it in for service ( bought it with some water in the fuel -_- ), they told me to consider new prop.

 

[roffey]

if it were me, I would get the new prop and get the old one fixed and use it as a spare..