Sleepless in Boston

[Walpole]

I have just joined this boat forum a couple of weeks ago. Great stuff!! I know that I need to list the specs in order for people to help me out. So here goes:

Boat = Celebrity bow rider
Length = approximatley 21 feet
Year = 1988
Weight = approximatley 3,000 (dry)
Engine/Out drive = Chevy 305 V8 200hp / Alpha 1
Current prop = Alum 14 1/2 x 19 (3 prop)
Engine hours = 130

I am on my second prop of the season and going on my third. Each time I replace the prop I have be using the same specs and name brand of the original prop. This equates to a Merc Black Max part number 48-832830 or a Quicksilver Mercruiser A1*QA1916X257Q1.

I have spent the time and have read through various threads and articles and I am convinced I need to stay with a Alum prop and not SS for the obvious reason that I am on prop number 3.

As you would guess with a bow rider we use the boat for family activities (fishing, tubing ect). I am happy with the hole shot and at WOT I am right at the manufacturer's recommended RPMs of 4900.

But..............I was just reading an article that when buying a new prop it is the time to enhance your boats performance and do not stay with just the "prop" that come with the original boat.

I understand that when you change name brands, material ect of the prop you need to try and get back to the correct RPMs at WOT.

The short story is unless any one feels stongly about not using the same prop I am going to play it safe and pick of the same prop as the previous two.

The problem is that I do not know if I am missing out on not trying something new!!

Hope this makes sense.

Thanks

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: Sleepless in Boston

Hmmm! Three props? You do know that props are not considered to be disposable items, don't you? You are supposed to avoid the stumps and rocks. Do you play bumper cars with your auto and go through fenders like that? Now don't get touchy, just having a little fun.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Sleepless in Boston

Since you seem to have the proper aluminum prop, another prop "style" (aluminum or stainless) might provide some benefit in hole shot or top end but for the average family boat, those benefits may not result in the "heart stopping" performance increase that the advertisers tend to present. If you have a high performance boat and want to extract the utmost performance from it, then experiment with props. Note that I said experiment -- which is what fine tuning prop selection amounts to. This is not an exact science. A prop design that works well on one boat may not work worth a hoot on another so it is a real crap shoot.

 

[Crownie2]

Re: Sleepless in Boston

You didn't really say why you are replacing props so much, and I think we are curious.

Actually, IMO the Black max props are pretty good for an aluminum prop.

You would probably benefit by going to the same size stainless, but you don't want to be replacing it very often!!

Bob

 

[Walpole]

Re: Sleepless in Boston

Just went to West Marine and got the Quicksilver Black Diamond XT 3 Blade. Thanks for the responses. In the future I met explore different prop options but for now will play it conservative.

Happy Boating.

Heading out to Point Judith Rhode Island!!!

 

[Walpole]

Re: Sleepless in Boston

The reason for replacing the props are various.

Prop #1 = Hit dead wood floating in the boston harbor (Frist trip out/test run)
Prop #2 = After the 1st trip out had work to do on the engine. After tuning her up I just went to a local place that I was not familar with and with a 21 footer I tagged the bottom very hard at a low point in the lake and needless to say propeller #2 gone!!
Prop #3 = Vacationing in Rhode Island and boating in the Ocean, beach house and dock back in bay area, was trying to be careful but at low tide it bottom twice and prop #3 not totally ruined but some large pieces about the size of a quarter missing. Will try to get this prop fixed.

Do they still make Merc Balck Max prop or has that been replaced with the QuickSilver brand??

 

[Crownie2]

Re: Sleepless in Boston

Yes - they do still make the Black Max prop and I for one think they are very good.

I don't know the difference between the Black Max and some of the others that are Mercury but not sold by Mercury dealers - there may not be much difference.

Bob

 

[Walpole]

Re: Sleepless in Boston

Thanks for the response. I did a little research and the Black Max and the QuickSilver is suppose to be the identical prop. Had QuickSilver prop out today and it ran great!!