Mercruiser 3.0 135HP 3,4 blade, High5 with Smarttabs

[BayBoy1750]

I have a Bayliner 1750 Capri with Mercruiser 3.0 135HP I/O fitted with Smarttabs and 14x19p 3-blade.

This boat gets out of the hole nicely with the addition of Smarttabs and 14x19p prop. I was wondering if anyone with the resources has the expensive High5 by Mercury on the 3.0 liter. Specifically with Smarttabs installed as this makes a huge difference.

Would the 3.0 liter have enough oomph to benefit from additional blades?

 

[Gryphon]

Re: Mercruiser 3.0 135HP 3,4 blade, High5 with Smarttabs

I am about to try an 18" 4 blade on a similar setup next week, but not sure about the 5 blade.

 

[Gryphon]

Re: Mercruiser 3.0 135HP 3,4 blade, High5 with Smarttabs

I have a Bayliner 1750 Capri with Mercruiser 3.0 135HP I/O fitted with Smarttabs and 14x19p 3-blade.

This boat gets out of the hole nicely with the addition of Smarttabs and 14x19p prop. I was wondering if anyone with the resources has the expensive High5 by Mercury on the 3.0 liter. Specifically with Smarttabs installed as this makes a huge difference.

Would the 3.0 liter have enough oomph to benefit from additional blades?

I got a used high five 19" yesterday for cheap, will let you know how the setup works.

 

[MikDee]

Re: Mercruiser 3.0 135HP 3,4 blade, High5 with Smarttabs

I doubt you'll get your propper rpms, you probably need a 15" pitch 5 blade

 

[Gryphon]

Re: Mercruiser 3.0 135HP 3,4 blade, High5 with Smarttabs

I doubt you'll get your propper rpms, you probably need a 15" pitch 5 blade

Why do you say that?

All the stores I got prices from all told me to stay away from a 17" when asked, I personally was thinking maybe a 17" was ok but then this deal on a 19" came up and I couldnt refuse.

 

[MikDee]

Re: Mercruiser 3.0 135HP 3,4 blade, High5 with Smarttabs

Why do you say that?

All the stores I got prices from all told me to stay away from a 17" when asked, I personally was thinking maybe a 17" was ok but then this deal on a 19" came up and I couldnt refuse.

And why would that be? sounds like nonsense to me

First you need to give us your Wide Open Throttle (WOT) RPM, and the prop material, and if it's not at least 4600rpm, then you're overpropped! what I've found, changing to a 4blade prop and trying to keep the same rpm, usually requires, a 2" drop in pitch for a 4-blade, hence another 2" less for a 5-blade = 15" pitch! Plus the fact that it's SS, if your org prop isn't, and is not reaching 4600rpm then you may need to drop to a 13" pitch

 

[cribber]

Re: Mercruiser 3.0 135HP 3,4 blade, High5 with Smarttabs

This is my setup I'm running a Glastron GT-185 with a bimini top and the Volvo Penta 3.0l with an SX Drive geared to 1.94

I got a deal on a Stiletto Bay Pro II 14.25 x 20" pitch prop. I gave up about 3-5 mph depending on conditions. I'm okay with that because the hole shot and mid range handling is way much better over the OEM prop it replaced.

 

[BayBoy1750]

Re: Mercruiser 3.0 135HP 3,4 blade, High5 with Smarttabs

I am about to try an 18" 4 blade on a similar setup next week, but not sure about the 5 blade.

Very interested in how this works out!

FYI: 14x19 is aluminum.
WOT is right around 4800 RPM @ 43 MPH (on the sketchy speed-o)

 

[Gryphon]

Re: Mercruiser 3.0 135HP 3,4 blade, High5 with Smarttabs

Very interested in how this works out!

FYI: 14x19 is aluminum.
WOT is right around 4800 RPM @ 43 MPH (on the sketchy speed-o)

Got a deal on a used 5 blade 19", never bought the 18" 4 blade, so no news on that front to report.

 

[BayBoy1750]

Re: Mercruiser 3.0 135HP 3,4 blade, High5 with Smarttabs

This is my setup I'm running a Glastron GT-185 with a bimini top and the Volvo Penta 3.0l with an SX Drive geared to 1.94

I got a deal on a Stiletto Bay Pro II 14.25 x 20" pitch prop. I gave up about 3-5 mph depending on conditions. I'm okay with that because the hole shot and mid range handling is way much better over the OEM prop it replaced.

Thanks cribber. I'm considering a Stiletto Bay Pro II in the 18" or maybe even 16" pitch. What was the factory prop?

I can really feel the trim tabs at non-planing speeds (although no bow wander is nice) Did you notice if the 4 blade has less slip and therefore idles a bit faster for equal RPM at low speed? I understand the pitch determines forward motion but in my mind it makes sense...just curious.

Under normal load (aka 750lbs max capacity...LOL) with the 19" alum. I get WOT 4800 RPM and maybe a tad over with a light load. I'm kinda nervous going all the way to 16" pitch, never heard of anyone running 16" 4blade SS on a rig like mine. You? Then again I'm all about hole-shot and mid-range and turning grip for pulling tubers and wakeboarders.

 

[Action]

Re: Mercruiser 3.0 135HP 3,4 blade, High5 with Smarttabs

I have a Bayliner 1750 Capri with Mercruiser 3.0 135HP I/O fitted with Smarttabs and 14x19p 3-blade.

This boat gets out of the hole nicely with the addition of Smarttabs and 14x19p prop. I was wondering if anyone with the resources has the expensive High5 by Mercury on the 3.0 liter. Specifically with Smarttabs installed as this makes a huge difference.

Would the 3.0 liter have enough oomph to benefit from additional blades?

To be honest it sounds like what you have now is a good setup with the smart tabs and a 19p prop. I don't know if it will really be worth going to a 5-blade or really even a 4 blade.....

 

[MikDee]

Re: Mercruiser 3.0 135HP 3,4 blade, High5 with Smarttabs

Thanks cribber. I'm considering a Stiletto Bay Pro II in the 18" or maybe even 16" pitch. What was the factory prop?

I can really feel the trim tabs at non-planing speeds (although no bow wander is nice) Did you notice if the 4 blade has less slip and therefore idles a bit faster for equal RPM at low speed? I understand the pitch determines forward motion but in my mind it makes sense...just curious.

Under normal load (aka 750lbs max capacity...LOL) with the 19" alum. I get WOT 4800 RPM and maybe a tad over with a light load. I'm kinda nervous going all the way to 16" pitch, never heard of anyone running 16" 4blade SS on a rig like mine. You? Then again I'm all about hole-shot and mid-range and turning grip for pulling tubers and wakeboarders.

So, Go with a 17 " 4 blade,,, I don't know when this all started, but not that long ago, you couldn't get an even numbered pitch prop they weren't made! All that was available was odd numbered pitch props, and I always found an odd numbered one that worked for me, now it is way too confusing

 

[Tail_Gunner]

Re: Mercruiser 3.0 135HP 3,4 blade, High5 with Smarttabs

Thanks cribber. I'm considering a Stiletto Bay Pro II in the 18" or maybe even 16" pitch. What was the factory prop?

I can really feel the trim tabs at non-planing speeds (although no bow wander is nice) Did you notice if the 4 blade has less slip and therefore idles a bit faster for equal RPM at low speed? I understand the pitch determines forward motion but in my mind it makes sense...just curious.

Under normal load (aka 750lbs max capacity...LOL) with the 19" alum. I get WOT 4800 RPM and maybe a tad over with a light load. I'm kinda nervous going all the way to 16" pitch, never heard of anyone running 16" 4blade SS on a rig like mine. You? Then again I'm all about hole-shot and mid-range and turning grip for pulling tubers and wakeboarders.

19@4800 w/alum
19@4600 w/ss
18@4800 w/ss
drop a 100 for the 4th blade should net about 4700..So a 16 should do 4900..id stay with a 18...

 

[Tail_Gunner]

Re: Mercruiser 3.0 135HP 3,4 blade, High5 with Smarttabs

So, Go with a 17 " 4 blade,,, I don't know when this all started, but not that long ago, you couldn't get an even numbered pitch prop they weren't made! All that was available was odd numbered pitch props, and I always found an odd numbered one that worked for me, now it is way too confusing

That would be Solas...Im about to go to a 22p 3bl HR...I just need to dump a 22p 3 blade SS laser 11 just like new...

 

[BayBoy1750]

Re: Mercruiser 3.0 135HP 3,4 blade, High5 with Smarttabs

Yes Action, I'll concede your point...I guess I've seen such dramatic improvements in changing a factory 14x21 to 14x19 and adding Smarttabs that I wanted more IF it was there. I came to believe that 4-blades plus SS prop would give slightly better acceleration, better midrange, and more hold in turns. Although it gets on plane quickly with Smarttabs I feel its sluggish from 10-25MPH but its certainly possible that's just a lack of Horsepower and there's nothing I can do.

Tail_Gunner appreciate the math...MikDee maybe that explains why Stiletto makes even numbered 4-blades, so peeps switching 3-blade Alum 19 can go to 4-blade SS 18.

If I buy one (second guessing cost/benefit now) I will go with the 18p at Tail's recommendation, that confirms my 'gut' feeling.