Which prop to use?

[Nrizzo20]

I've read a lot of topics on this but can't seem to find one directly related to my question. I have a 1993 bayliner capri 18.5 ft. 4.3 mercruiser with a alpha one gen 2 outdrive. Boat dry weight is about 2300lbs. I am running a 14 1/2x 17p aluminum prop at the moment. With four adults last week the boat seemed as it was revving a bit high. Tach was reading about 5800 rpms and speedo was around 50mph. I'm looking for a prop to basically pull a decent hole shot for skiing and wake boarding but not kill the engine. Any suggestions??

 

[SkiDad]

if your RPM is really 5800 then you really need to change props. I would think 21 would be more normal for your setup. If you are not talking slalom skiing then I think that would probably be fine. if slalom probably a 19 and you'll have to watch the rpm.

 

[Nrizzo20]

if your RPM is really 5800 then you really need to change props. I would think 21 would be more normal for your setup. If you are not talking slalom skiing then I think that would probably be fine. if slalom probably a 19 and you'll have to watch the rpm.

Unless the speedo was off, I trimmed the outdrive all the way up with no slip and the rpms nearly hit 6000 and we were doing 55+ or close to it. Unless the tach is off, which could be a possibility. A 21p is what I was leaning too. Should it matter 3 or 4 blade? And stick with 14 1/2 diameter?

 

[Bondo]

Unless the speedo was off, I trimmed the outdrive all the way up with no slip and the rpms nearly hit 6000 and we were doing 55+ or close to it. Unless the tach is off, which could be a possibility. A 21p is what I was leaning too. Should it matter 3 or 4 blade? And stick with 14 1/2 diameter?

Ayuh,.... Welcome Aboard,..... Before ya blow yer money on a prop,....

Verify the Tach,.... Test it against a known shop tach,....

A 4.3l won't live very long at 6 Grand,....
But a Bad tach will kill the motor, just as quickly,...

 

[Watermann]

Most of the 4.3L 18 - 19' glass boats are running with the 21p props such as this,

http://www.iboats.com/Quicksilver-B...8946587--session_id.136172818--view_id.480318

a very fair price and a great prop!

 

[Nrizzo20]

Ayuh,.... Welcome Aboard,..... Before ya blow yer money on a prop,....

Verify the Tach,.... Test it against a known shop tach,....

A 4.3l won't live very long at 6 Grand,....
But a Bad tach will kill the motor, just as quickly,...

I will get that done this week, 6 grand seemed very high for the motor but I also didn't sit there too long. Maybe a minute or so, if that.