So, my 2025 Bayliner VR5 200 hp 4.5L mercruiser STILL barely pulls me up

[Scott06]

Well, turns out the vibration I'm getting is due to cavitation. It's putting cavitation burns on the prop.

Prop guy wonders if the prop sits too low in the water. His theory makes since. This boat you can't hardly even use the trim unless you're going below 10mph.

I was wondering if it was a balance issue, but maybe this motor and drive are installed to low. Looking into this.

Clearly the boat has the power to get me up with 6 people on the boat.

mercruiser has set up drawings on their website of the X dimension that is height off the bottom for the crank center line and thus keyhole. I doubt its off as if it were too low your front motor mounts would be bottomed out on the stringers

If you cant use any trim try a prop with more bite with some cupping. As an example I have a tested Merc Vensura 21" (also called offshore), Enertia 22", and Revolution 4 21". Like you I have 21 ft fairly azz heavy boat. With the Vensura I also couldn't trim much.

On paper I should have highest top speed with the Enertia. I was able to net best top speed with the Rev4 because I cab fully trim out. As you trim more you can see the spray line off the hull walking aft and wake size reduces.

The vensura had best holeshot because the smaller blades allow the engine to spin up in its power band faster, but slip was like 20% at WOT. The Rev4 is almost too much prop for good holeshot, but the vent plugs help on it. I do geta vibration from the cavitation in the mid 2000 rpm range that goes away.

bottom line big diff with these props over the Aluminum ones.

If you can get up slalom with 6 ppl in the boat with 200hp I think you are doing pretty good. Like you I fight bowrise I just dont want to bother with trim tabs.

 

[stakultexsun]

I'm terrified to try a pitch higher than 19. I have tried a 4 blade 17 pitch as well as a 3 blade 17 pitch (I'm now running the 3 blade 17 pitch, I haven't tried getting up behind it yet though).

The 4 blade 17 pitch seemed about the same holeshot as the 3 blade 17 pitch, but a little slower on the top end.

I will look into the props you mention.

However, I am looking for a good holeshot, the top speed doesn't really matter to me, though I'd like for it to be capable of 40mph (which it is with the 15 and 17 pitch props). Reason I want it to be able to go 40, is I ski around 32mph, and don't want the boat to be running high rpms just to pull me skiing, I think at 32 mph I'm around 3500 to 3700 rpms (but don't quote me).

 

[Scott06]

I'm terrified to try a pitch higher than 19. I have tried a 4 blade 17 pitch as well as a 3 blade 17 pitch (I'm now running the 3 blade 17 pitch, I haven't tried getting up behind it yet though).

The 4 blade 17 pitch seemed about the same holeshot as the 3 blade 17 pitch, but a little slower on the top end.

I will look into the props you mention.

However, I am looking for a good holeshot, the top speed doesn't really matter to me, though I'd like for it to be capable of 40mph (which it is with the 15 and 17 pitch props). Reason I want it to be able to go 40, is I ski around 32mph, and don't want the boat to be running high rpms just to pull me skiing, I think at 32 mph I'm around 3500 to 3700 rpms (but don't quote me).

Sorry - not higher pitch, I meant the prop design is different than what you are running. You would use a prop with more cupping in similar pitch to what you are running.

Typically if switching from say 15" pitch basic aluminum like a black max prop, I would go down in pitch when switching to a prop with more cupping and or bigger blades

 

[Stinnett21]

My 19 Vengeance will vibrate around the 1800 to 2000 range also. At that speed the boat is fast dragging trying to get on plane so I never run there anyway. Just power through and get on plane. You seem to be most focused on water sports, specifically slalom skiing. Why has no one mentioned the Mercury High Five? Pricey but designed for your situation.

 

[Scott06]

My 19 Vengeance will vibrate around the 1800 to 2000 range also. At that speed the boat is fast dragging trying to get on plane so I never run there anyway. Just power through and get on plane. You seem to be most focused on water sports, specifically slalom skiing. Why has no one mentioned the Mercury High Five? Pricey but designed for your situation.

High five sucks in some cases. I tried it with same goal in mind was a waste of time vs the 4 blades (Rev4 and Vensura/Offshore). spun up fast but had wicked slip at higher rpm, basically got on plane and was nipping the top end right away, no balance between holeshot and cruising speed. Also think it is a dated design compared to some newer props.

To your point about other things worth mentioning to OP in the props with vent plugs I did find this really could improve holeshot by allowing the engine to get in the fat part of its power band quicker. Would assume he was seeing some of that.

 

[2stroketurbo]

Also, to address a couple of people's comments.

When I took to the dealer, they checked for codes and engine issues, none found.

The swim deck has drain holes in it, I do see water draining from them often, so water does get in there... not sure if water is getting in from those holes, you'd think it would be water tight (without the holes).

And Scott... you're hydrofoil snapped the cavitation plate?!!?! More details please. How old was boat? used in salt water? How big of a boat?

The service guy at bayliner said the VR5 has this issue because the bow is so light. He said the VR6s do not have this issue... find that hard to believe, but after this weekend, I'm considering buying a couple of 50lbs ballast bags to put in bow for when not very many people on the boat

I had this same problem with my 2018 250 hp VR5, I put a stingray hydofoil on it and 14x19 pitch 4 blade prop . No more slow to plane problems !. transformed the boat! its a rocket ship now!

 

[cyclops222]

The HULL SHAPE is ment to convert ALL horsepower into a PLOWING boat.
Speed is wasted to create a big wake.

What other hull shapes TELL you to order a HUGE water filled bag to prevent the boat from planing ???

 

[dlykins]

So, like my previous post said, (post is closed for some reason).

I've since tried a 3 blade 17 pitch and a 4 blade 17 pitch prop. I can't really tell the difference.

I'm now 210lbs, trying to get up on a slalom ski with 2 adults and one child, their combined weight is like 460lbs, all except the 180lb driver are in the bow.

Takes about 45 seconds or longer to get me up. Trim all the way down, minimal stuff in the boat.

I'm about to try a 15 or 16 pitch 4 blade if I can find one soon enough.

Related side note: All the VR5 bayliners I see at the dealer have a hydrofoil installed. This boat feels like it has about 120hp. If it's just 2 people, 390 lbs cruising in the boat it is just slow as hell, largely due to the bow pointing so high and taking so long to plane.

Here are my "results":

Me and a friend, about 360lbs:
Factory 3 blade 19 pitch:

46mph @ 4800 rpm, trim "optimized for speed"
41.5 mph with trim all the way down 4450 rpm.
0 - 20mph 6.0 seconds
0 -30mph 9.4 seconds

3 blade 17 pitch:
43mph @ 4810 rpm with trim up
41.5mph @ 4450 rpm with trim all the way down.
0 - 20 mph no change
0 - 30 mph 9.2 (no real change)

At this point, I'm not sure what I'm going to do. I don't think I can mentally handle the $30kish I'll lose by trading it in and getting a real ski boat, or a boat that is ~20ish foot with a MINIMUM of 300hp.

I didn't realize that $50k would not buy me a boat that I could ski behind. I've skiied behind 19.5' boats with 120hp outboard, and a 135hp inboard. The 120hp boat pulls me up like this 200 horsepower boat. the 135hp boat pulled me up in like 20 seconds or less.

This is ridiculous. Bayliner should make sure they label this wakeboard boat as not a water sports boat. It's OK for wake boarding and good for tubing, and cruising around, that's it.

i'm in the same boat......purchased a NEW 2025 bayliner V5 200HP merc in June 2026, and it had major issues....bayliner took it back to reseal (caulk) the platform as it was obtaining water under low speeds, causing significant drag, but first merc replaced several switches and other parts causing alarms and stalls............i told dealer i want a full refund and i'm buying a sea-ray......have yet to get confirmation on this...may have to get legal involved.

 

[dlykins]

I had this same problem with my 2018 250 hp VR5, I put a stingray hydofoil on it and 14x19 pitch 4 blade prop . No more slow to plane problems !. transformed the boat! its a rocket ship now!

my new 2025 bayliner Vr5 purchased in june 2026,,,had major issues in swim platform where it was retaining water, causing major drag.... bayliner picked it up 19aug2026 and took it back to the factory to seal the platform. Don't want it back and have asked for a full refund from dealer... --- more to come on this as of 24Aug2026

 

[Scott Danforth]

told dealer i want a full refund and i'm buying a sea-ray......have yet to get confirmation on this...may have to get legal involved.

You know that searay and bayliners under 25 feet are built in the same facility

I would look at better brands than searay

 

[jbcurt00]

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