High Five Prop Selection

[TPeck]

I have a 97 Cobalt 190 with a Mercruiser 4.3LXH 205 php engine. Dry weight is 2,850 pounds. It has a 14 x 19 stainless steel 3-blade prop that produces 50 mph at WOT of 4,500 RPMs. The recommended WOT range for my boat is 4,400 - 4,800 RPMs. Unfortunately, hole shot is poor for skiing. From some other posts, I have seen that the Merc High Five prop is great for improved hole shot. My question is, should I get a 17 pitch High Five or a 19 pitch High Five? I have heard that it is better to prop toward the top of the RPM range, which makes me think that the 17 pitch would be better since I am currently in the low end of the range. However, I wonder if the 17 pitch would cause me to exceed the top end of the range slightly and, if so, is that much of an issue? Any thoughts on prop receommendations with anticipated RPMs and top speed would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

 

[achris]

Re: High Five Prop Selection

I have heard that it is better to prop toward the top of the RPM range

Absolutely! and if you're pulling skiers, then even more so. The way I recommend for people using their boats for skiing is to find out which porp gives them the closest to the top RPM, then go one size DOWN. So if you WOT at 4800 with a 17" when the boat is normally loaded, then use a 15" for skiing. <br /><br />Both the High-Five and the Laser II are great props for skiing.<br /><br />

cause me to exceed the top end of the range slightly and, if so, is that much of an issue?

Not at all. I have mine at 5000 (4.3LX) and I don't have any problems.<br />Chris........

 

[JJJ]

Re: High Five Prop Selection

I have a PowerTech 14X19 Stainless 4 blade that is perfect for hole shot and skiing. On my Cobalt 200 with the 4.3LX it planes out easily and at low speed even with 9 people on. <br />Max rpms I have gotten were 4200 BUT I just picked up the boat and not sure if it needs tuned or what. <br />It should pull more rpms as easily as it pulls this prop from a dead stop.<br /><br /><br />My brother has my old Cobalt 190 with the 4.3 LXH with a 14X19 and he couldn't believe how quickly this prop planes out and he can't run on plane at the same low speed I can.<br /><br />Thanks,<br />Jeff

 

[bluewater19]

Re: High Five Prop Selection

T-peck,<br /><br /> A 17 pitch highfive would be the prop I would use. With five blades it will put you right at the top of your WOT at 4800. With a 3 blade you have a little less blade area so with a 17 pitch you will over rev you motor a bit.<br /><br /> You might also want to try a Ron Hill custom five blade in 17 pitch. I have one on my blue water 4.3 and one on my glastron 4.3. I have used highfives on both these boats and they work great, don't get me wrong but the ron hill fiveblade has bigger ears and seems to pull better without killing topend.<br /><br /> http://stores.ebay.com/Ron-Hill-Propellers_W0QQssPageNameZviQ3asibQ3astoreviewQQtZkm <br /> or <br /><br /> WWW.hillmarine.com<br /><br /> I am in no way related to the seller I am just trying to help out a fellow boater.<br /><br />Good luck<br /><br />PS<br /><br />JJ,<br /> <br /> You can't try to sell your stuff on this forum!<br />You should edit it now before the mods do.

 

[JJJ]

Re: High Five Prop Selection

Oh ok, I am sorry I didn't know that. <br />How do you edit it?<br />Thanks

 

[JJJ]

Re: High Five Prop Selection

Done. But I still do high rec. that prop for skiing or tubing for your boat as I have used one on about the same setup and boat.<br /><br />Jeff

 

[TPeck]

Re: High Five Prop Selection

Thanks everyone. I am leaning toward the High Five 17P. I am hoping that the RPMs won't be much past 4,800 and top end speed won't suffer too much. I will also check out the Ron Hill prop too.

 

[TPeck]

Re: High Five Prop Selection

Bluewater, I just checked the Ron Hill site. His five-blade product is about $90 cheaper than the best deal I could find on the High Five. I wasn't sure from your last post if the High Five is your #1 choice or the Ron Hill. My goal is to improve hole shot without giving up too much on the top end. If you were me would you pay a little more for the High Five or buy the Ron Hill? Also, your post seems to indicate that a 17P 5-blade would increase RPMs only 300 from my 19P 3-blade. Normally, I have been hearing that a typical drop in pitch of 2 inches would increase RPMs 400-500RPMs. Any further comments on this would be appreciated.

 

[bluewater19]

Re: High Five Prop Selection

I would go with the Ron Hill prop if buying new.<br />I lost a little top end with the highfive and nothing with the hill prop.<br />in winter time you can sometimes find used Highfives on ebay cheap.<br />The reason the rpm drop with the five blade is not as much, is it has more blade area in the water and with a pitch to pitch change I have noticed a 50-100rpm drop on my boats. <br />Meaning<br />On my glastron<br /><br />laser II 23 pitch 4700 rpm<br />Highfive 23 pitch 4600 rpm<br />RonHill 23 pitch 4625 rpm <br /><br />So on my boat dropping from a 23 to a 21 yielded a 300rpm drop when I tried the 21 pitch from my bluewater.<br />I hope this helps