Replacement for 3blade 14-1/4x23, Volvo Penta 4.3 SX

[rokrau]

Hello all,
since I pretty much ruined my prop last weekend it is now time to shop for a replacement that's good for skiing with a full boat.

My current setup is an aluminum 3-blade 14 1/4x23 on a Volvo Penta SX outdrive, the engine is a Volvo Penta 4.3 GL. My boat is a Larson 180SEI, WOT is 4200-4600RPM according to the sign on the engine I don't have a GPS and the speedometer isn't working.

I'd like to be able to pull a skier out of the water with a boat loaded with ~6 adults (max load is 1200lb.) and do not care to much about top speed although I really like to quickly plane at low speeds , especially while tubing (our kids are young and we tube at very low speeds .

I am going to stick with Al since I still need to learn a lot more about how to launch a boat properly and when to lower the drive and when not... :redface:

Thanks for the advice
Best regards
Roland

 

[83Evinrude]

Re: Replacement for 3blade 14-1/4x23, Volvo Penta 4.3 SX

My current setup is an aluminum 3-blade 14 1/4x23 on a Volvo Penta SX outdrive, the engine is a Volvo Penta 4.3 GL. My boat is a Larson 180SEI, WOT is 4200-4600RPM according to the sign on the engine I don't have a GPS and the speedometer isn't working.

With just two onboard, trimmed out just below where the prop slips what is your WOT rpm shown on the boats tachometer? Also, can you borrow a GPS from someone?

There should be a plate on the left side of the outdrive that will tell you its ratio. If its 1.60 like mine then I suspect you may be a bit over propped. We have a light 19' boat with a 5.0L V8 and run a 21" pitch prop, I would consider a 23" over propped for our boat and we have 30 more hp and more torque in a similar boat.

Others will chime in as well but you will need to provide more info to get additional help.

 

[ramster]

Re: Replacement for 3blade 14-1/4x23, Volvo Penta 4.3 SX

Hey Envirude you have my same boat, what prop are you running?

 

[rokrau]

Re: Replacement for 3blade 14-1/4x23, Volvo Penta 4.3 SX

With just two onboard, trimmed out just below where the prop slips what is your WOT rpm shown on the boats tachometer?

About 4400 RPM with the badly beaten up prop.

Also, can you borrow a GPS from someone?

The prop is off and I rather not put it back on, looks like there is actually a piece missing from it.

There should be a plate on the left side of the outdrive that will tell you its ratio. If its 1.60 like mine then I suspect you may be a bit over propped. We have a light 19' boat with a 5.0L V8 and run a 21" pitch prop, I would consider a 23" over propped for our boat and we have 30 more hp and more torque in a similar boat.

Mine says: Penta-SX-M Gear ratio: 1.79. The boat's an 18' Larson. I am considering a Volva 4-blade Aluminum 14 x 21 or the Solas 4 blade also 14 x 21, any input on these? The Solas is ~ 100$ cheaper.

Danspropellor tool suggests 14x19 for fast and 14x17 for skiing. Not sure what to think of that but my gut feeling is not to stray too far from the OEM size that was on it.

Others will chime in as well but you will need to provide more info to get additional help.

Thanks for your help

 

[Tail_Gunner]

Re: Replacement for 3blade 14-1/4x23, Volvo Penta 4.3 SX

20p 4 blade solas rubbex series..If you want alum

 

[rokrau]

Re: Replacement for 3blade 14-1/4x23, Volvo Penta 4.3 SX

20p 4 blade solas rubbex series..If you want alum

Tail_Gunner, thanks, but strangely I can find 19p and 21p but no 20p as a 4-blade neither on iboats nor at other websites. Maybe I should call iboats on the phone.

Since coming from 3b-23p will going to down to 4b-19p be under-propped?

Thanks
Roland

 

[hwsiii]

Re: Replacement for 3blade 14-1/4x23, Volvo Penta 4.3 SX

Roland, you need the 21" pitch Solas 4 blade in either the Amita or the Rubex, they are the same other than the Rubex has a user replaceable hub. And you will be a VERY happy camper.


H

 

[83Evinrude]

Re: Replacement for 3blade 14-1/4x23, Volvo Penta 4.3 SX

Hey Envirude you have my same boat, what prop are you running?

Bought the SX 195 in July and currently running the Michigan Wheel Aluminum 14 & 1/4" x 21" prop that came on it. I'm getting 53mph with a light load and hole shot is very good.

I will have a Stainless prop by next season but I haven't decided which one it will be.

What is on yours and how is it performing?

 

[rokrau]

Re: Replacement for 3blade 14-1/4x23, Volvo Penta 4.3 SX

Roland, you need the 21" pitch Solas 4 blade in either the Amita or the Rubex, they are the same other than the Rubex has a user replaceable hub. And you will be a VERY happy camper.


H

Finally, reporting back. After a little bit of an ordeal with ordering and returning a prop from a different company, last week I received (from iboats) and yesterday tested my new prop - Solas Amita 4blade 14x21.
What a difference!!!
It was only me and the dog and the boat goes between 4800 and 5000, a bit over what it's supposed to do at 45mph per the built-in speedometer. The boat planes as quick as you can count to three. I actually can clearly notice the difference from trimming the prop correctly now

Unfortunately there seem to be a few issues with my instruments that I noticed yesterday after I wiggled some cables hanging from underneath the dash. The rpm-meter sometimes hits all the way to the right ( the engine is not revving any higher) then goes back but the needle jumps. Same for the speedometer. I am going to have a look whether there is corrosion in the connections and maybe get some new connectors and better insulation.

Thanks again for the recommendation.

Roland

 

[hwsiii]

Re: Replacement for 3blade 14-1/4x23, Volvo Penta 4.3 SX

I am very glad you are happy and you see good improvements in your boat and I will almost bet you that the tachometer is a corrosion problem as that happens regularly with tachs.


H

 

[mwagne30]

Re: Replacement for 3blade 14-1/4x23, Volvo Penta 4.3 SX

Crew, We run a 1996 four winn horizon 5.0(ford 302) volvo penta 1.66 ratio. We have run 14.25x21 alum. at 4900 rpm 42 mph switched to 14.25x23 alum. rpm droped to 4500 but bumped speed to 46 mph this year picked up a 14.25x25 S.S. and droped to 4300 rpm but now will run 53 mph all day long and on the right day with a light crew and low tank we have hit 58! Now that's cooking for this Hull and this rig, But it sure turn's a few heads! Yea I need to have the riders move the bow when pulling someone on ski's or Two tube's But we just lean into the Gas and let that 5.0 run baby! It might be a little slower to plain, but we make it up on the top end. My dad is looking to switch to a 14.25x23 four blade s.s. in the spring to slow us down a little but still be able to pull like a two truck. To the Org. poster we have all of the props on the wall of our shed, send me a note and maybe you could try them. My dad loaned them to other's on this site in the past. P.S. all speed's were on GPS, Our speedo is off 3.5 mph after 40? whatever

 

[rokrau]

Re: Replacement for 3blade 14-1/4x23, Volvo Penta 4.3 SX

Crew, We run a 1996 four winn horizon 5.0(ford 302) volvo penta 1.66 ratio. We have run 14.25x21 alum. at 4900 rpm 42 mph switched to 14.25x23 alum. rpm droped to 4500 but bumped speed to 46 mph this year picked up a 14.25x25 S.S. and droped to 4300 rpm but now will run 53 mph all day long and on the right day with a light crew and low tank we have hit 58!

Yep, fast.

Now that's cooking for this Hull and this rig, But it sure turn's a few heads! Yea I need to have the riders move the bow when pulling someone on ski's or Two tube's But we just lean into the Gas and let that 5.0 run baby!

I often pull skiers with a rather full boat, and this new prop gives me a nice hole shot, which is especially nice for getting up on a slalom ski.

To the Org. poster we have all of the props on the wall of our shed, send me a note and maybe you could try them. My dad loaned them to other's on this site in the past.

Thanks for the offer, but shipping these props is expensive Now if you ever move to California ...

I'll keep my eyes open for a 3blade 14.25x23 SS. Looking at these Vipers that are sold on EBay or used from CL if the opportunity shows. It's always good to have second prop.

Best regards,
Roland