Need some of your experience in prop selection

[supr_fly03]

First off, I have done some research and have figured out I dont want to mess with the performance I have now. I have selected a few props and would like some opinions on which one would be best for me.

Now a little boat info, it is a 1999 Starcraft 2010GT with a 220hp 5.0. The boat is really only used to pull people around on ski's, tube's, ect. It seems to have good hole shot, according to the factory guages it maxes out about about 5,000 rpm trimmed up and hits about 46mph with half tank of fuel, two adults and two childeren. I am content with its performance.

Now a little background, this past weekend we were returning to the dock and I guess I got a little close to the shore of the boyou and picked up a fish net with crab pot attached (no marker or bouy). I was in about 4.5 feet of water when it happened with little damage to the prop (I was just above idle when it happened). It just got knicked up pretty good on the edges of the blades though and I want to replace it.

Now I am looking for a replacement prop and have the following information:
The factory prop is a 14 1/4" x 21P 3 blade

I am looking at the following props:
Turning point hustler 14 1/4" x 21P 3 blade
Michigan wheel Vortex XHS 14 1/4" x 21P 3 blade
Michigan wheel Vortex XHS 14" x 20P 4 blade
Solas Amita 14 3/10" x 21P 3 blade
Mercruiser replacement 14 1/2" x 21P 3 blade

Would I be better off to move to a 4 blade? I am not worried about a few miles an hour on the top end. Thanks for you help in advance.

 

[steelespike]

Re: Need some of your experience in prop selection

The Hustler is a very agressive prop.They have olso been a little unpredictable as to performance.In the ideal they improve parformance across the board.
Unfortunately unpredictable.
A 4 blade prop should improve hole shot,stay on plane with less throttle and diddling,better control on plane and at the dock.Likely will lose some top end.I can't speak for the Vortex props
but the Solas amita in 4 and 3 blades have had good results at reasonable prices.
I would suggest a 20" in a 4 blade.

 

[supr_fly03]

Re: Need some of your experience in prop selection

The Hustler is a very agressive prop.They have olso been a little unpredictable as to performance.In the ideal they improve parformance across the board.
Unfortunately unpredictable.
A 4 blade prop should improve hole shot,stay on plane with less throttle and diddling,better control on plane and at the dock.Likely will lose some top end.I can't speak for the Vortex props
but the Solas amita in 4 and 3 blades have had good results at reasonable prices.
I would suggest a 20" in a 4 blade.

I cannot find a solex 14" x 20p 4 blade. I can however find a really good deal on a solex 14 1/4" x 21p 3 blade. Should I get that instead and be content with my low end performance? Or will it be worth it to get a 4 blade prop for a little more?

 

[steelespike]

Re: Need some of your experience in prop selection

Not sure how you decided to try a Solex.I suggested a Solas Amita 20" 4 blade.
I've seen a lot of posts here on the Solas Amita.Sorry I don't have anything on
the Solex.As far as your best choice thats your call. A 3 blade should provide good overall performance,a 4 blade those things I listed.

 

[supr_fly03]

Re: Need some of your experience in prop selection

Sorry, I meant solas. They dont make a 4 blade prop in a 20 pitch size. They make one in a 21 pitch size but wont that be too much? I know that Michigan makes a vortex in a 20 pitch. Is that a comparable prop?

 

[Tail_Gunner]

Re: Need some of your experience in prop selection

Now a little boat info, it is a 1999 Starcraft 2010GT with a 220hp 5.0. The boat is really only used to pull people around on ski's, tube's, ect. It seems to have good hole shot, according to the factory guages it maxes out about about 5,000 rpm trimmed up and hits about 46mph with half tank of fuel, two adults and two childeren. I am content with its performance.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

That pretty much sums it up family loaded and 5000 rpm with a21 3 blade

Amitia in a 21 would take you 48-4900 and your in a good place with a good prop

Yes you will be plzd

 

[supr_fly03]

Re: Need some of your experience in prop selection

Now a little boat info, it is a 1999 Starcraft 2010GT with a 220hp 5.0. The boat is really only used to pull people around on ski's, tube's, ect. It seems to have good hole shot, according to the factory guages it maxes out about about 5,000 rpm trimmed up and hits about 46mph with half tank of fuel, two adults and two childeren. I am content with its performance.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

That pretty much sums it up family loaded and 5000 rpm with a21 3 blade

Amitia in a 21 would take you 48-4900 and your in a good place with a good prop

Ok, so that means a Solas Amitia in a 14" x 21 pitch 4 blade will be fine with my combo? I have seen the tach mosey up into the 5200 rpm area with 1/4 tank of gas and two people, so going to a 4 blade prop should help control my rpms. I dont hardly ever tach it out and choose to cruise about 35mph to get from place to place on a lake.

 

[642mx]

Re: Need some of your experience in prop selection

If your happy with the performance and not looking to gain anything.... then why don't you just have it repaired?

 

[Tail_Gunner]

Re: Need some of your experience in prop selection

Ok, so that means a Solas Amitia in a 14" x 21 pitch 4 blade will be fine with my combo? I have seen the tach mosey up into the 5200 rpm area with 1/4 tank of gas and two people, so going to a 4 blade prop should help control my rpms. I dont hardly ever tach it out and choose to cruise about 35mph to get from place to place on a lake.

Yes

 

[supr_fly03]

Re: Need some of your experience in prop selection

Thanks for everyone's reply. I didnt know I could get my aluminum prop repaired, so I found a place local and am going that route. I will however invest in amitia 4 blade prop before next season and post the results.