What prop and size and choice to go with? PLEASE HELP!!!

[Audiogod21]

Hello please bare with me for I am not very good at this, here it goes...

I have a 2000 Crownline 202BR with the mercruiser 5.0 2BBL 220HP Alpha one Gen II outdrive the boats weight is approx 3500lbs with a full tank, and i usually go out with approx 5-6 full size adults.
The current prop i am running is a mercury blackmax 14.25X21P full speed trimmed out is 43mph @ 4800 rpms. I need help choosing the perfect prop for i don't want to make a $400 mistake. I do alot of cruising and some watersports as well i would like to upgrade to a SS prop. Don't know weather to stay with a 3 blade or upgrade to a 4. Do I need bow lift or stern lift? High rake or no? Increase diameter or stay the same? So many choices :facepalm: . I was looking at moving to a 14.25X19P SS Stiletto Bay Pro III 4 blade but not sure what it will do for me. I was also looking at the SS Stiletto Advantage III 14.25X19P 3 Blade. Curious about the 19P for sure because I've read on here about moving down 1" down in pitch size for going from 3 blade to four blade and also 1" down when upgrading to SS not sure how true the SS 1" drop is. Ayuh Can someone please help? I hope i have provided enough info if I forgot anything please let me know. Thank you all so much for the help...

 

[Dhadley]

Re: What prop and size and choice to go with? PLEASE HELP!!!

The Bay Pro III is better suited for outboards running a higher X dimension. The Bay Pro II is aimed at the sterndrive market. Either the BP II or the Advantage would be a good choice. Since you are at the top of the rpm band you could stay with a 21. You would pull the rpm back some and most likely gain a little speed. If you go to a 19 it will make pulling water toys easier.

 

[Audiogod21]

Re: What prop and size and choice to go with? PLEASE HELP!!!

Thank you Dhadley I appreciate the reply but should I stay with the 3 blade or go up to the 4? And also if i upgrade to the SS prop won't it bring my rpm's back a little anyway?

 

[Dhadley]

Re: What prop and size and choice to go with? PLEASE HELP!!!

Yes, the r's should drop some with a 3 blade 21 and you should gain a little bit of speed. Which is OK since you're at the top of the rpm band now. The BP II may pull them back slightly more but will have a better cruise range. If you go to a 19 in either you'll have more bottom end which is better for water toys.

 

[90stingray]

Re: What prop and size and choice to go with? PLEASE HELP!!!

He's already running a 21p at max wot rpm and people are saying go 19p? I disagree. I would stay at 21 pitch for sure and go 4 blade stainless. Let the better bite of the stainless bring the rpm down. The 4 blades will help holeshot. But the 4th blade usually hurts top mph... but being stainless, you should end up about same top mph. Slow speed manners are better with the 4 blade as well. Hope this helps.

 

[Dhadley]

Re: What prop and size and choice to go with? PLEASE HELP!!!

What we're saying is that if we go with a 21 3 blade the r's will come down a bit simply because the Stiletto he's talking about is more efficient than the existing prop. He was also asking about a prop for more pulling power for the water toys. That would be the 19. The options are just being discussed, once the intended primary use is defined he can make a final decision.

 

[Audiogod21]

Re: What prop and size and choice to go with? PLEASE HELP!!!

Thannk You both for the help its much appreciated and really helpful. I shall purchase a prop by spring and hopfully it will be perfect. I think I'm gonna try the Bay Pro III 14.25X19P 4 blade they say that the Bay Pro III is for boats with sterndrives 20' and larger, and the Bay Pro II is for boats 16' and larger. But the BP II is not offered in a 19P only 20P and 18P, as where the BP III is offered in a 19P. I Think the 18P would be a little to low in pitch for my boat. BTW both props are for outboards and sterndrives 135HP and larger. BP III offers overall lift, BP II is concentrated on bow lift.

 

[Dhadley]

Re: What prop and size and choice to go with? PLEASE HELP!!!

Yes, the BP III (which is the same as the Turbo Ultima 4) will fit on a sterndrive and may work well. But it's designed to run at a higher X dimension. Usually sterndrives are mounted very consertively meaning relatively low. The length of the boat has very little to do with prop choice but hull design, set up and prop design do. The BP III, just like the Ultima 4, has great bite and should have very little slip on your boat. There are places to contact about testing like www. props-plus. com among others.