New With boat! Need prop advice!!!

spankym13

Recruit
Joined
Jun 11, 2008
Messages
5
Well I got a 1999 sea~ray 180 Bowrider this past weekend. The prop it has is a 15 1/4 x 15 pitch. It is pretty beat up ( crack,chunks missing) but came on the boat so im looking to get a new one. At the lake it was running at 4200-4300 RPM When it was at WOT. I believe this 3.0 mercruiser is needing to run around 4600RPM. Is this a good dia. and pitch to run with? I know I've seen a lot of 14 1/4 dia. but not to many 15 1/4. I cant give a speed cuz the meter doesnt work.:cool: Any thing is helpful to a newbie like myself. Also good places to buy props?
 

Bondo

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Apr 17, 2002
Messages
71,197
Re: New With boat! Need prop advice!!!

Ayuh,.....

It sounds like that Motor is Seriously Down on Power,....
Or,...
Possibly the Wrong gear Ratio is installed in the Drive....
 

steelespike

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Apr 26, 2002
Messages
19,069
Re: New With boat! Need prop advice!!!

I agree you may have a power problem.
Get your prop repaired and run again get us the specs and you will have a better idea where you are at.If another prop will solve your problem then keep the old for a spare.
 

Dandelion

Cadet
Joined
Apr 29, 2008
Messages
17
Re: New With boat! Need prop advice!!!

Typically the prop you'd see on a boat that size with that engine is a 14 x 19, or maybe a 13 3/4 x 21.

Your prop is both an unusually large diameter and low pitch for your rig.
 

1999 Searay 180BR

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
May 23, 2006
Messages
43
Re: New With boat! Need prop advice!!!

I have the same boat as you. I bought mine brand new from a dealer and it was setup from the factory with a 14.5x 23. Runs well with this prop...loaded= 40ish mph...light load just driver good water conditions have gotten 52 mph on gps...A little slow pulling up a slalom skiier, I'm gonna order a 19P today for the ski trips and use the 23 for river crusin...Hope this helps
 

spankym13

Recruit
Joined
Jun 11, 2008
Messages
5
Re: New With boat! Need prop advice!!!

Wow, Thanks ya'll! I thought that prop was kinda big. I got a new 15 coming and a new 14.25x21p that the prop wizard on some websites said would work best! So we will see whats happens.
 

xxxflhrci

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jun 14, 2008
Messages
637

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