High-five for Volvo 4.3GL

[ThreeMileBayWaker]

1) My boat is primarily used for wakeboarding, I tow riders and myself at 20-22mph. When riders and I used a hard edge away from the boat it slows the boat down and I am trying to alleviate having to feather the throttle for other drivers. They can't seem to get it just right when I am being towed, and its annoying being yanked around from 18-25mph. I am 6'3" 200lbs and riders are around the same weight or a little less.
2) Factory Volvo aluminum 3 blade.
3) 14.3 x 21.
4) WOT - 4800rpms - Average load on boat, 4-5 people and tops out at 48-50mph. Myself and 1/4 of fuel 4800rpms and 52-54mph. Not looking for awesome top end performance.
5) 2010 Volvo Penta 4.3L GL ( SX-A) - 190hp
6) 2010 Glastron GT 205XL ( 20' 8" 2900lbs)

I know they are quite pricey, but figured if it help grab the water more and reduce this issue then its money well spent.

 

[Tail_Gunner]

Re: High-five for Volvo 4.3GL

If the motor stays at say 2500 rpm and you slow down then yes a multi blade prop will enhance low speed stabiliy. But i suspect your motor is slowing down due to the strain of the load right along with your speed.

The one thing you can do is drop prop size say to a 18-19 four blade and see if the motor can pull the load with that "gearing". Its just like shifitng down in gears with a manual tranny and pulling a hill....You have to find the right gear for the speed and load you wish to pull....

Solas makes some nice inexpensive 4 blades you can experiment with

 

[Varago]

Re: High-five for Volvo 4.3GL

It seems like different message boards like different props. I have seen a MB that loves the Enertia ( as do I) and some really like the High-Five and iBoats seem to like Solarius progs.

It could be that the extra pull is working to drop you off planing speed. If this is the case a High-Five would help. With a High_Five and smart tabs I can stay on plan while towing a wakeboard or kneebord at 18-22 mph. With the High-Five and Samrt tabs I very seldom have to touch the throttle where as before it was a fight to matain speed from 18-20. The High-Five will cost you 2-4 mph on the top end. The difference between the Enertia and High-Five is 4-5 mph top end. The Enertia has just about the same pull as the 5 blade but I cant stay on plan as slow with it, so the 5 is on the boat 90% of the time.

Good Luck
Dave

 

[Tail_Gunner]

Re: High-five for Volvo 4.3GL

It seems like different message boards like different props. I have seen a MB that loves the Enertia ( as do I) and some really like the High-Five and iBoats seem to like Solarius progs.

It could be that the extra pull is working to drop you off planing speed. If this is the case a High-Five would help. With a High_Five and smart tabs I can stay on plan while towing a wakeboard or kneebord at 18-22 mph. With the High-Five and Samrt tabs I very seldom have to touch the throttle where as before it was a fight to matain speed from 18-20. The High-Five will cost you 2-4 mph on the top end. The difference between the Enertia and High-Five is 4-5 mph top end. The Enertia has just about the same pull as the 5 blade but I cant stay on plan as slow with it, so the 5 is on the boat 90% of the time.

Good Luck
Dave

I agree with you in multiblades as long as you have the Hp and Tuorqe to turn those blades and apparently you do. But youve added one huge variable "Tabs" they will lift a boat out of the hole and on plane much more effeciently than a prop...but you loose most of your wake theres always a price. Enertia are great props just not so cost effective...Now if they were 300 a pop im sure you would see much more activity id love to run one in a 22 just to see if it outruns my Solas but there 22 is a 3.5 inch barrel and my sx drive doesnt respond well to that size

 

[Varago]

Re: High-five for Volvo 4.3GL

Very good points about the trim tabs. I have the 80lb units and use the #1 spot (lowest pressure) with the High-Five and 2-3 with the Enertia. There is lot of difference between the lift of the two. If I were ask I woud have to guess the High-Five is about 25% of the difference and the tabs about 75%, but this is just a wag.

Tail_Gunner if you ever want to try a 21 Enertia, I would be more then happy to let ya try mine, I am just across the river from you It works great on SX drives.

Dave

 

[Tail_Gunner]

Re: High-five for Volvo 4.3GL

Very good points about the trim tabs. I have the 80lb units and use the #1 spot (lowest pressure) with the High-Five and 2-3 with the Enertia. There is lot of difference between the lift of the two. If I were ask I woud have to guess the High-Five is about 25% of the difference and the tabs about 75%, but this is just a wag.

Tail_Gunner if you ever want to try a 21 Enertia, I would be more then happy to let ya try mine, I am just across the river from you It works great on SX drives.

Dave

I may take you up on that generous offer...Water is to high and way to many sunken logs out there now..And then again it may allow me to pop the rev limiter and that means more prop and as of yet the 22 is only made with the smaller barrel....a bit frustrating

 

[ThreeMileBayWaker]

Re: High-five for Volvo 4.3GL

My boat surprisingly throws a nice wake for an I/O.... so adding smart tabs is not going to be an option. I've asked a few local marine shops and no one is willing to let me try a prop out. I might just try West Marine and then return them at different stores if it doesn't work out for me.

I was out again today with one of my better buddies who knows how to drive a boat, and kept me right in my sweet spot so I had a few good runs in. Now if I only didn't have to deal with a million other boaters and their wash wakes killing my glassy surface it would have been a premo day.

I have 3 size options..

13.5 x 17
13.3 x 19
13.3 x 21

Am I right in staying with the 21 since thats what I have now?

 

[fossill]

Re: High-five for Volvo 4.3GL

High5 in a 21 pitch is what Merc recomends on their prop selector website. I run a High5 in a 19 pitch on my Merc 4.3/Alpha 1 drive replacing the 14x23 3 blade aluminum prop but I had a few rpms to spare with that oem unit. 17 pitch would over rev you.