What's the right prop for my 2002 Stingray 190LS Volvo 3.0 SX?

[Greg Gelber]

First off, I really did try to search this out before asking what has probably been asked over and over again ad nauseam. I'm banging my head on the keyboard trying to find the right diameter x pitch and care more about a higher cruising speed than a fast hole shot. From the calculators I've used online, the 14.25 x 21 is the prop size that will give me what I'm looking for but just wanted to ask for advice from the community. From another post, it's noted that the manual calls for a 3-Blade 19 so that just adds to the confusion. I'm looking at the Hustler LE-1421 or Quicksilver Black Diamond 3. Any opinions are appreciated.

Current Prop: Badly damaged 14.25 x 21.
Brand: No clue. Bought the boat used and prop is torn up and missing most of the paint.
Average weight of the boat, people and other stuff: 3500 lbs
Max RPMs: 4800 (so says the internet)
Max speed: Not sure. Between the prop and some engine issues that needed to be fixed, I never got over 30 mph.

 

[Scott Danforth]

you were over-proped with the 21p. at the 30mph, what was your WOT throttle. not what the specs are per the internet. what were you getting on your boat.

on my 3.0, I had to have 3 props with me at all times depending on what I was doing. I had a 15p, 17p and 19p

 

[Greg Gelber]

I'm not sure if the plugs, distributor cap, wires and a dirty carb played a part in the problem as we haven't been on the water yet to check that out. But, at launch with 4 average adults on board (plus a 150 lb wakeboard tower), 2 people at the bow and 3/4s tank of fuel, the throttle was all the way down and it took almost 30 seconds to get on plane. We never got over 30 mph. One thing I never paid attention to was the RPMs so I can't tell you where that was at. In a different post, I saw with the boat off and throttle all the way down, to check down in the carburetor to see if the butterfly doors are open all the way to rule out a cable issue. Gotta try that later.

When it was 6 people on board and a full tank of gas with 3 peeps at the bow, it took just about the same time. We were porpoising nearly the entire time during our cruise no matter where the trim was and with 3 people at the front. We never got over 20-23 MPH. My friend's neighbor who's a boat mechanic said we were never actually on plane which is why we were porpoising.

So, now that I've changed the stuff above, do I test the boat with the old blade just to see what it does? It is getting replaced but, I'm curious if the mini- tune-up made a difference. The compression test shows all four cylinders at 160 so I'm assuming that's a pass.

The Turning Point prop calculator showed a 19 pitch for watersports and heavy loads and the 21 pitch for more top-end which is what I'm after. I bought a 19 pitch locally and returned it but, based on your 3 props (none over 19), it looks like that will be the one to go back and get.

 

[Greg Gelber]

Everything worked great. The Hustler 14.25 x 19 got us out of the water in 5 seconds and we hit 37 MPH with a full tank of gas and 4 people on board. Thanks for the advice on the 21 being over-propped.

 

[jtsvette]

Greg, 15 seconds and 37 MPH is all good, but what was your wide open throttle RPM? W.O.T. RPM is critical to engine life.