Went to a 4 blade but still not happy?

[adluginb]

I had previously posted about suggestions on new pitched prop for better hole shot.

The prop on my Baja 192 boat is a Mercury Laser II stainless 21 pitch. Has these numbers on the side of the prop. 48-16546 21P. Not sure what diameter that translates to.

At WOT I'm hitting 4500 rpm's and running 51mph after trimming out with two people. Boat is 19'2" and has a 5.0L 220hp Mercury in it. Alpha one drive with 1.62 ratio.

*******************Update********************
Got a new 4 blade Solas aluminum 19 pitch prop.

Also I checked my speed this time against a GPS and my speedometer is off 3mph slow, so previous speed with the 21pitch should have been 54 which was a 2% slip.

New 4 blade I am getting 50mph by GPS and running WOT at 4650rpm which would give 3% slip.

Boat will not stay on plane running slower than 2500 rpm!?! Is that maybe normal rpm range for staying on plane? Also I am getting better hole shot but really still think it should be better. This boat "Baja 192" came standard with the 190hp and I have the 220hp engine. Boat would have been terrible with the smaller engine.

Also I broke 25 hours on the boat so could the engine still not be broke in yet? Boat is a 2008 model and only had 15 hours on it when I purchased it?

I'm thinking of going ahead and getting another 17" 4-blade Solas since I can just switch it with the one I have now since hub is the same?

What's everyone's thoughts?

 

[adluginb]

Re: Went to a 4 blade but still not happy?

Also thinking about a 5 blade like the High five. If I went this route would I need the 19 or 17 pitch with the rpm's I'm getting now?

Do any companies make an aluminum 5 blade I can try first before I sink $500 into the High Five?

 

[jestor68]

Re: Went to a 4 blade but still not happy?

Have you bothered to visit the Mercury prop selector?

Your numbers through it comes out like this: with a calculated weight of 3671 lbs, it recommends(for acceleration) a Vensure or Revelution 4 (both 4 blades) at 14.5 X 17 and calculates that it should run 4800 rpm @ 45 mph. The "Five" was on the list also in a 17 pitch.

A 14.5 X 17 Solas aluminum 4 blade prop would be a cheap alternative to try, but don't expect it to perform quite as well as the high dollar Merc prop.

I'm not aware of any aluminum 5 blade prop. The Quicksilver props are just as good as the Mercury brand props, for less. The equivalent Quicksilver props would be the "Typhoon"(4 blade) or the "QST 5" (5 blade). These props are about $100 less than the Mercury branded props. You're paying for the name.

 

[adluginb]

Re: Went to a 4 blade but still not happy?

I don't see where the site determines what my rpm should be? I understand the solas 4 blade won't be as good as the merc steel prop. But I want to make sure I have the pitch correct before dropping $500

Looks like the High Five 5 blade merc prop says its best for pulling and ease of staying on plane? I can't determine if I should get. A 17 or 19 pitch with the rpm's I'm running now if I went that route first and skipped the aluminum this time.

 

[jestor68]

Re: Went to a 4 blade but still not happy?

You have to use "Chrome" and click on the "details" icon to the right. Internet explorer doesn't work on the "details"; don't know why.

If you really want super pulling power, go with the 17 pitch.

When I run a Solas 17 4 blade on the 4000 lb boat to the left, it will have a 185 lb slalom skier up and going before he gets to the prop wash.

 

[SkiDad]

Re: Went to a 4 blade but still not happy?

maybe a regular 19 pitch would be a good choice? Something with a slightly larger diameter ?

Or if you go the 17 pitch 4 blade solas, just watch your rpm at top end.

 

[Bamaman1]

Re: Went to a 4 blade but still not happy?

I still prefer 3 blade props, and mostly see 4 blade props on bass boats for acceleration and middle speeds.

Your V-8 engine is relatively heavy for the horsepower, and your boat will never have the pulling ability as a Ski Nautique. You're very fortunate to have found a 7 year old "new boat".

Your 3 blade prop appears to be good for cruising. If you are going to be pulling skiers often, you also need a second lower pitch prop to install for ski days.

You mentioned about falling off a plane @ 2500 rpm's. That's very normal for a boat like you have. The best addition I ever made was a set of $400 Bennett hydraulic trim tabs. I could plane off my boat @ 10 mph. It also came out of the hole like it had 50 hp more trimmed down. And if two fat women sit on one side, you can adjust the boat level. It will also will ride like it's 5 feet longer with hydraulic trim tabs.