Prop question for wakeboarding

[slidewayz]

I'm looking for some help I have a 3 blade 19p prop now and it's ok but doesn't hold speed well or takes a while to plane...I'm looking at a 5 blade 19p highfive I can get for 237 shipped just wanna know if it would be worth it or wait till I get a 5 blade 17p...boat is a 220hp 4.3 I/o with alpha out drive setup now will run 52mph but I never really run that unless going from place to place or on my way back to the marina....so speed doesn't matter just more fun for tubing and cutting through choppy water, and also for wakeboarding I added 1200 in ballasts so just looking to see what you guys think

 

[tpenfield]

Re: Prop question for wakeboarding

Usually when you add blades you take away pitch. Staying with the same pitch and adding blades will probably not work out so good.

 

[blackhawk180]

Re: Prop question for wakeboarding

Current speed and RPM data would be helpful but I agree with decreasing pitch when adding blades. I recently went from a 3x14 to a 4x13 and love the difference in my boat but I'm not about speed. Hole shot and midrange cruise were improved and that was what I was trying to do. New prop is also stainless with more cup which changes things also.
Hard to be much more help without the current data on RPMs at least.

 

[jestor68]

Re: Prop question for wakeboarding

The recommended practice when going from a 3 blade to 4 blade is to drop at least an inch of pitch.

Adding 1200 lbs of ballast; you have to subtract that from the weight capacity. What does that leave you with?

 

[steelespike]

Re: Prop question for wakeboarding

Usually you see 5 blade props used by high performance setups, I think overkill for your setup.
I think a 4 blade 17" should do really well holding speed.You'll need to watch the rpm. Solas Amita
Should work well and may improve handling.

 

[dan02gt]

Re: Prop question for wakeboarding

slideways, you can read about the high-5 here: High Five | Propellers | Mercury Marine

It is really designed for what you want to do, and for $237 shipped you can't go wrong. It will cost you top speed but everyone that tries one says the hole shot is amazing with these props.

 

[rallyart]

Re: Prop question for wakeboarding

For wakeboarding there are a few significant advantages to a lower pitch prop. Firs,t you get up on plane faster so the rider hates you less, especially if you are adding 1200# of ballast in addition to the people you will have in the boat. Second, at wakeboard speeds, which are just below planing, it is hard to control speed. Having the lower pitch prop puts your RPM into a range where the engine torque is higher and you have more control over that speed, so the boarder you tow will hate you less. Third, this also applies to how much you hate the driver when you are behind the boat.
I would look at a vented 4 blade in addition to a High-5 but that price on the High-5 seems pretty good. On my 18' I/O the vented 4 blade worked better than a High-5.
Just pay attention to the redline if you go on a high speed run.

 

[slidewayz]

Re: Prop question for wakeboarding

Top speed doesn't mean anything to me...I just want better holeshot and better holding speed also when tubing doesn't want to die down when cutting corners tightly....so for 235 I'm in

 

[slidewayz]

Re: Prop question for wakeboarding

Ok well ill keep an eye on it and see worst come to worst I bet I could sell it for what I have in it

 

[steelespike]

Re: Prop question for wakeboarding

Be sure to let us know how it works out.