Propeller Advice

[othelloears]

I have a 1984 20' Welcraft Elite Bowrider with a Mercruiser 228/5.0 and alpha I which Ive been restoring. When I bought it seller had a 13.5 x 21P 3 blade alum prop on it and it was horrible planing. Previous owner put on a 1.5 ratio drive which I also wonder is the right ratio. Based on my research 1984 228 could have either 1.5 or 1.62.

I do skiing and jumped to a 14.5 x 17P 3 blade alum but appears I went to far the other way. It jumps out of the hole but kills me on gas and cruising speed. RPM at open is about 4600 which is in specs
I also have trouble maintaining plane under 2750 RPM's

I want to reprop to gain better top and cruise.

I understand stainless is worth the money but 4 blade is not for this size boat.

My main question is whether to just go larger diameter (15" or so) or whether to just add pitch (19").

I also want a prop with a break away HUB. I am in a shallow area and hit bottom regularly albeit at low speeds

What would you guys recommend?

Thanks

 

[Lyle29464]

Re: Propeller Advice

I would try a cheap "SOFT" 19

 

[othelloears]

Re: Propeller Advice

Whatever I try will be used and cheap (craigslist) but what is "soft"?

 

[OldDriver]

Re: Propeller Advice

Soft for the rig would be aluminum. SS is hard!

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: Propeller Advice

Propeller question.........You might move over to the prop forum and ask this question.......This is the I/O forum.....


Cheers,


Rick

 

[sethjon]

Re: Propeller Advice

I have a 1984 20' Welcraft Elite Bowrider with a Mercruiser 228/5.0 and alpha I which Ive been restoring. When I bought it seller had a 13.5 x 21P 3 blade alum prop on it and it was horrible planing. Previous owner put on a 1.5 ratio drive which I also wonder is the right ratio. Based on my research 1984 228 could have either 1.5 or 1.62.

I do skiing and jumped to a 14.5 x 17P 3 blade alum but appears I went to far the other way. It jumps out of the hole but kills me on gas and cruising speed. RPM at open is about 4600 which is in specs
I also have trouble maintaining plane under 2750 RPM's

I want to reprop to gain better top and cruise.

I understand stainless is worth the money but 4 blade is not for this size boat.

My main question is whether to just go larger diameter (15" or so) or whether to just add pitch (19").

I also want a prop with a break away HUB. I am in a shallow area and hit bottom regularly albeit at low speeds

What would you guys recommend?

Thanks

A 4 blade would be perfect. My son has an al. 4 blade on his 18' and its great for skis or tubes and his top end is about 38. The pitch needs to be changed for sure. Also, everything has advantages and disadvantages. For what you want aluminum wopuld be perfect. Also if you hit something the steel is not forgiving and could hurt your outdrive. You also save a little money with aluminum.