Here are my stats, what would you do?

[chambers1517]

I have a 2005 Caravelle LS207 with a 5.0 MPI. It has a 14.25 x 21p 3 blade aluminum prop. It does 49mph (GPS) at 4900 rpm. This is with me, my wife and 2 kids (500lbs total). I want a little better low end and would like to lower my plane speep for tubing smaller kids. The minimum my boat will plane is between 18-19 mph. I have considered a 4 blade prop or maybe a 19p 3 blade prop. West marine keeps telling me not to waste money on a 4 blade to just go slightly lower pitch. They also say stainless is a waste. What would be the best compromise for what I am trying to achieve?

 

[usskydvr]

Re: Here are my stats, what would you do?

Get the 19 3 blade. When the kids get bigger and want to ski or wakeboard get a 4 blade 18.

 

[stubbsboogie]

Re: Here are my stats, what would you do?

Trim tabs will help also. Smart tabs or a helm adjustable tab will do it. I run smart tabs and they helped imensley. Much quicker hole shot and lower planing speed. Also they almost eliminated low speed wander. Check them out
With the 19 you will also improve greatly.

Good luck