Prop Selection??

[02baylinercapri-NM]

Hi, I'm new here and could use some advice on selecting a new prop. I damaged my stock 17p last year which isn't bad, I plan to refurbish it to have an extra, but the WOT rpms are about 5200 as this boat's spec is 4500-4800. I'm planning on a 19p. Now I was thinking about a SS balistic. Is it worth the money on a 135hp Mercruiser, or should I stick to another aluminum?? Thanks

 

[rabidfish]

Re: Prop Selection??

You might save a little money, and try the aluminum 4 blade in a 18 pitch. It will help coming on plane and get your rpms a little lower also, for about 1/2 the cost of SS

 

[BigPoppaG]

Re: Prop Selection??

What if you have no problem with the plane and you want speed? <br /><br />What is the difference between 3 and 4 blade?<br /><br />What are the differences between the pitches and how do they make the boat perform differently?<br /><br />I am also looking into a new prop and I have never bought one.

 

[KaGee]

Re: Prop Selection??

Why don't you call the guys at Iboats! They have a prop specialist and from what they say, very competitive prices.

 

[tommays]

Re: Prop Selection??

the best thing to due is be friendly with the local prop shop if you have one that will work with you on trying different props.<br /><br />you can build up a big collection of props that did not work well pretty easy<br /><br /><br />tommays

 

[rabidfish]

Re: Prop Selection??

Big Poppa<br />If you want speed... You should choose a stainless steel 3 blade that provides lots of bow lift. The pitch you select should have enough load to keep you in the lower part of the RPM band at WOT. Say around 4300 RPMs<br /><br />The 4 blade has more blade surface, thus is capable of better "bite" when accelerating from a "dead stop". It is usually quicker to plane for this reason. In theory, you do lose some top end, but the higher rake designs from Mercury don't lose much. Add ing a blade tends to add (theoretically) about 1" of pitch(not in speed, but in engine load).(IE. a 18 pitch 4 bl, runs like a 19 pitch 3 blade)<br /><br />My recommendation: Most 3.0L boats(at least in my area) do not have the power that the owners would like. To help plane off/pull skiers, the 4 blades can help with that. <br /><br />To that end...Most of my customers that want to go fast, buy a boat with a V-8.

 

[02baylinercapri-NM]

Re: Prop Selection??

Thanks for your input guys. Allow me to elaborate on some of my experiences with my current prop. <br /><br />Okay, I would need something to get me on plane quicker especially when I have 4+ people in there, and pulling a tube. I was having trouble planing last year.<br />On another note, I have issues with setting the correct angle on my trim. Could be lack of experience or it might improve with the right prop, but it seems like I can never get it JUST-right, no matter how much I play with the deal, and when I do, and it's just going beautifully smoothly over wakes, I have a hard time duplicating my actions to get it there again.<br />On bigger lakes which tend to move a lot more than small ones, I see all the other small boats just floating over wakes nicely, and here I am jumping and bumping.

 

[tommays]

Re: Prop Selection??

IMHP if you want to tube and use the boat with 4 + people you would get the best result sticking with the 17p prop<br /><br />you may be able to spin the 19p ONCE YOUR ON PLANE but a 3.0 is going to have a hard time getting on plane with it<br /><br />if you bounceing a lot it sounds like your trimed to high<br /><br />you need some type of trim tab to help the boat get on plane and be able to stay on plane at lower speeds<br /><br />i use a simple outdrive mounted foil with good results there are also smart tabs as the next step or a hyd tabs with compleat adjustement <br /><br />the whole trim tab thing has people who believe that each one is the best so if you due a search on TRIM TABS you find a lot to read<br /><br />tommays

 

[rabidfish]

Re: Prop Selection??

OK, Here's where a 4 blade might help. <br /><br />The 4 blades will help you get on plane faster.<br />The 18 pitch will get your rpms back down to (hopefully 4800)while still giving you<br />(almost) the top speed of the 19/3.<br /><br />The Mercury 4 blade will also get your bow a little higher, helping your ride in rough water.<br /><br />I recommend your try other means of improving this issue BEFORE you buy and install one<br />of the aftermarket "foils, whaletails, etc..." They probably will improve your ability to plane<br />off, but they can also cause other problems which cannot be corrected without removing the device.<br /><br />I would like to say here... If you want 4 people in the boat, and still want to pull a tube... You bought the wrong boat. An 18ft boat that can do that well should have a 4.3L V-6 at the minimum. All the great mechanics in the world won't solve your problem if you don't have enough power.<br /><br />Industry feedback all lists the single largest complaint from new boat buyers is: (I didn't get enough power!)

 

[02baylinercapri-NM]

Re: Prop Selection??

Thanks, I wish I had bought a bigger boat too. Shoot, a Baja with a GM V8 to be exact, but I have had issues with another little tiny thing called drought here in New Mexico which just can't justify it right now. When I retire or get close to it in another 10 years or so, I plan on getting a bigger boat, and possibly moving where there's more water.<br />The fact of four people isn't the big deal. It was my buddy on the tube wanted me to go slower which is tough to start out slow and plane at the same time. He's the one with the tube, I personally use the boat for strictly boating, and some small time fishing. I don't own any kind of pull behind accessories. My biggest issue is getting the thing where it won't bounce so damn much. I know, I know, I should have a 26+ foot boat, but like I say, I can't justify paying 30k+ for a boat with minimal lake conditions here in the desert. I'm just trying to get the most from my boat. Thank you.

 

[rabidfish]

Re: Prop Selection??

It's not always the owner's fault. More often than not, the original salesman sold the boat on price, claiming that the boat was capable of something it isn't. <br /><br />Seen it a thousand times. It happens at every boat show all across the US. Usually from salesmen that work only the boat show. Next week they're nowhere to be found, not even at the dealership that sold the boat.

 

[rabidfish]

Re: Prop Selection??

OK, enough of my rant!<br /><br />Back to getting your boat to run better...<br />Try the 4 blade, I have never had a customer bring it back stating they didn't like it.<br /><br />Here's the Mercruiser part # 48-834852A45<br />List is $195.00 I'd hope you could save a few bucks on it.

 

[02baylinercapri-NM]

Re: Prop Selection??

Will the 4 blade reduce my top speed at all?

 

[rabidfish]

Re: Prop Selection??

Maybe 1 or 2 MPH. Every boat is different.<br />I have had some increase in top speed due to being able to raise the bow. I would see this more on a "Stingray" or other very lightweight boats.

 

[02baylinercapri-NM]

Re: Prop Selection??

I was just talking to another guy that said if you go stainless, to stick with the 17p because they flex less. What's your take on that? Price isn't an issue because I have plenty of Cabelas points!!

 

[rabidfish]

Re: Prop Selection??

I would switch to a 19pitch if you are going to use stainless. You need to drop your RPMs a bit.<br /><br />Cabelas # C311419 $299.99<br /><br />It's made by Precision Propeller in Indianapolis.<br />(know by most as "Turbo")

 

[cmyers_uk]

Re: Prop Selection??

Dont forget iboats has some great deals on Props at the moment Not sure if they take points though

 

[02baylinercapri-NM]

Re: Prop Selection??

Actually I had thought of the ballistic prop.

 

[02baylinercapri-NM]

Re: Prop Selection??

That's an invalid Cabelas number rabid fish.

 

[rabidfish]

Re: Prop Selection??

Try this: IF-011961 <br />When it asks for material number C311419<br /><br />Make sure: C 3 1 1 4 1 9