Successful prop upgrade. VP 4.3 3-blade aluminum to 4-blade stainless.

[scooper77515]

My boat came with a 21 pitch 14.3 diameter 3-blade stainless. When I first got it, it had a dent in one blade, so I bought a 23 pitch 3-blade aluminum prop as a spare.

After using both, I found that I could do 49 mph (gps) at 4800 rpms (max) with the 21 pitch prop, but only 43 mph at 4400 rpms with the 23 pitch prop, and of course, lost some of my holeshot power with the 23p prop.

Well, I have been wanting stainless in 4-blade, and thanks to asking you guys various questions, and researching around a bit, I decided on a Stilleto Baypro III 14.25X21 4-blade stainless prop, hoping to lose 200 rpms off my top end, and maybe 2 mph or as little as possible off my top speed. Purchased the new prop from the i-Boats shop, and got is in 4 days, installed it yesterday, and tested it today.

I got 46 mph at 4400 rpms, which puts me right where I need to be in the rpm range, and at a very happy speed for me.

I hope all of you asking "Another Prop Question" can learn from my experience, as well as from the guidance of some of the professional boaters on this site!

EDIT--ACK!!! Post number 666!!!

 

[1080tommy1]

Re: Successful prop upgrade. VP 4.3 3-blade aluminum to 4-blade stainless.

That's awesome! These guys have helped me out too! Great site with a lot of information and people that are knowledgeable! Congrats on the new prop.

 

[scooper77515]

Re: Successful prop upgrade. VP 4.3 3-blade aluminum to 4-blade stainless.

I got it through the iboats store, and the staff were fairly knowledgable, and shipping was free, and it came with the correct hub, etc and all parts needed to mount it (except a cotter pin).

So, no complaints with customer service!

 

[scooper77515]

Re: Successful prop upgrade. VP 4.3 3-blade aluminum to 4-blade stainless.

Post-wakeboarding update!

My wife, who tows me, reported that the boat no longer lifts its nose as she takes off, and simply rises up onto a plane and quickly. She also reports that she can keep it at 19 mph much more easily, and doesn't have to fight with the throttle and the speed to keep it from falling off plane at that low speed.

So, new prop is OUT-PERFORMING out expectations!!!