What combination for best performance?

[quadridermx]

I'm new to the forums, and I admit I've spent the last 5 hours reading and reading and reading. This place is great!

I have used the search but still cannot make up my mind what to go with for my application. Here's my question: What combination of parts will be best for me?

Setup: 1994 Rinker Captiva 195 with the 200 horse 4.3 and alpha one outdrive. Currently have a 19p aluminum prop that is a little dinged up on the edges with a small chunk taken out of one blade. Not bad enough to cause serious problems, but it probably is enough to affect performance. I plan on having it rebuilt and keeping it as a spare. Boat revs to 4800 rpm WOT and tops out at about 48mph trimmed all the way out with a half tank of gas. Takes about 7 seconds to get on plane when fully trimmed in.

I have been reading for hours, and have learned a HUGE amount about props. But I'm still left with so many choices. I will mainly be using it for tubing and skiing, but I do like hitting the 45 mph mark when I feel the desire to pin it for a short while.

Here are my questions:

1) I am planning on installing at least a set of smart tabs and a new prop to try to eek out a little more performance. With this boat, should I go with the 60lb or 80lb actuators with the smart tabs?

2) Aluminum, stainless, or torque shift prop? I have a bit of cash freed up, so cost is less of an issue. Would a torque shift prop be beneficial? I can afford one (living with others does have SOME advantages) but will a regular stainless steel prop suit me just fine? I do not boat on lakes where underwater obstructions are a problem.

3) If a regular stainless will suffice, 3 or 4 blade? Currently it's a 19 pitch 3 blade aluminum not giving great performance. It feels like it's slipping a bit, and definitely vents in moderately sharp turns. What prop would you recommend? Torque shift? 19p SS 3 blade? 20p SS 4-blade? With the smart tabs installed, can this boat handle a 21p SS and still plane a bit quicker than currently? I've heard a 4 blade prop creates more drag and takes away some speed. Would this motor (almost brand new) be able to handle a 21-22p 4-blade? Would the increase in pitch make up for the loss of top end while still giving a slightly better holeshot than a 3 blade due to the extra blade? Am I just dreaming?


Overall, my question to you guys with much more experience is this: What setup would you recommend with the smart tabs installed? I'm not dissatisfied with current performance, but know this boat is capable of a bit more since I have a little extra cash to spend.


Thank you in advance! PLEASE give a newbie some suggestions and direction...

 

[Tail_Gunner]

Re: What combination for best performance?

When you test for speed, are your number's with only you in the boat? Is your tach accurate with in 50 rpm do you know?

 

[pjrogers]

Re: What combination for best performance?

Quadrider: Smart Tabs are a good idea - the 60 lbs actuators would be right, but you should email NauticusInc.com to confirm. Everything you've read about Smart Tabs is true. They are the best $200-$300 you could spend to improve handling and performance. If your boat porpoises at all, or pounds in chop, the Tabs will hugely reduce the problem. Also, from a dead stop the boat will sort of levitate to plane rather than thrusting its nose way up in the air.

My last boat was a little lighter and shorter than yours, but had the same running gear. I used a 23" three blade and got a gps top speed in the mid-50s. The kids preferred a 21" four blade for skiing and boarding, though. The shorter prop gave us a top speed right around 50.

 

[quadridermx]

Re: What combination for best performance?

Top speed is with myself and 3 others in the boat, about 1/2 tank of gas. I've heard rinkers are fairly heavy built boats, and it does seem fairly heavy for a 19 footer.

I have the smart tabs on order and can't wait to install and test them. I feel like a little kid waiting for a happy meal!

I do like the idea of a stainless steel 4-blade giving better acceleration, grip, and smoother ride. If I go from an aluminum 19p topping out at about 47mph to a stainless 4-blade, what pitch will I need to keep about the same top speed? Taking into consideration an extra blade, more prop surface area, and stainless being more efficient. Going from aluminum to more efficient stainless, I've heard I can expect a slight increase in top speed. If I swith to a stainless 4-blade from an aluminum 3-blade of the same pitch, can I expect to keep about the same top speed due to the efficiency increase of the stainless?

I'm still not sold on 4-blade totally. If you guys have other suggestions please let me know!

Would the torque shift stainless prop work well for my application? I know they're pricey, but the concept is pretty genius.

Thank you!

 

[Tail_Gunner]

Re: What combination for best performance?

A 4 blade Stilletto Bay Pro 11 in a 18 pitch should speed you up, run smoother and better hole shot along with a lower planning speed, I can only say this to the above prop it has tremendous lift and bite good luck.

The tab's are very good also

 

[quadridermx]

Re: What combination for best performance?

Well in an emergency today I ended up buying a ProPulse composite prop for the rig. Here are my results after leaving at the factory pitch...

Took about 2 seconds off of planing speed (smart tabs not installed yet). MUCH better bite in sharp corners, I was very surprised. Ran smoother. This would be great for tubing and water sports. However, it took about 7-8 mph off my top speed. This REALLY surprised me. I was topping out at 47-48 before, and now I can only run 40 at 4800 RPM. I will definitely try adjusting the blades to a higher pitch, but I'm pretty sure this will take away the faster planing time and put me right about where I was to begin with.

For me, the plusses don't outweigh an 8 mph drop in top speed. Looks like I'll be trying a stainless prop in the near future.

Thanks for the suggestion tail gunner! It looks like I'll try the Stiletto next and get those smart tabs installed. Everyone swears by both, so hopefully they're a good combination together.