More hole shot for FourWinns H190

[roufsnniw]

I'm looking for suggestions for a bit more hole shot than what the current factory supplied prop can provide as with two people in the boat and about a half tank, I feel as if I'm really dragging on my new Radar Senate.

Current Specs:
2012 Four Winns H190
Merc 4.3L TKS 190HP
AlphaOne Gen II 1.81
Prop: Merc 832832A45 Dia: 14.25" Blades:3 Pitch: 21
Calculated Slip: 9%

Max Speed:49MPH
Max RPM:4900+ (Bounces off rev limiter with one person and half tank of fuel w/dirty bottom)


Looking for:
More hole shot
Less slip/cavitation in turns
Not worried about loosing a couple MPH off the top.
Stainless

Merc's Prop Selector Suggestions:
High Five Dia:13.25 P:21
Rev4 Dia:14.625 P:21
Vensura Dia:14 P:21

Looking for other suggestions to try next spring as the boating season has come to a close up here in Northern New England

Thanks

 

[Scott Danforth]

I would drop down to a 19p 4 blade and simply back off the throttle when running light

 

[superbenk]

I went from the stock 3-blade 14.25x21 Black Max on my H200 to a 14.375x19 Michigan Wheel Apollo 4-blade stainless. I get a better hole shot for sure & more stability at low speeds. Downside is the heavier prop clunks into gear more than the aluminum & I lost 2-5MPH off the top (depending on conditions - went from ~53MPH to 48MPH).

I also ran the Merc Alpha4 in a 14.25x20 with similar performance to the Michigan Wheel but it was a bit smoother shifting because it was aluminum. I intend to repair the Alpha4 & keep it as a spare.

My WOT went up to ~5000 RPM at WOT with just me on board so I have to just watch the WOT when I'm light, but otherwise it's nice.

 

[roufsnniw]

I went from the stock 3-blade 14.25x21 Black Max on my H200 to a 14.375x19 Michigan Wheel Apollo 4-blade stainless. I get a better hole shot for sure & more stability at low speeds. Downside is the heavier prop clunks into gear more than the aluminum & I lost 2-5MPH off the top (depending on conditions - went from ~53MPH to 48MPH).

I also ran the Merc Alpha4 in a 14.25x20 with similar performance to the Michigan Wheel but it was a bit smoother shifting because it was aluminum. I intend to repair the Alpha4 & keep it as a spare.

My WOT went up to ~5000 RPM at WOT with just me on board so I have to just watch the WOT when I'm light, but otherwise it's nice.

Benjamin,

Can I have you verify those numbers? I am only seeing the 14.375"x18" or 14.125"x20" for the 4 blade Apollo on the their website.

Thanks

 

[89retta]

I have a 4.3 GXI and i'm running a Turning Point 19" 4 blade. This prop is perfect for me. Jumps on plane no problem and still run 45 mph at 4500 rpm. Its aluminium so the price is right but performs like a SS prop

 

[superbenk]

Benjamin,

Can I have you verify those numbers? I am only seeing the 14.375"x18" or 14.125"x20" for the 4 blade Apollo on the their website.

Thanks

You're right, it's the 14.375x18 for the Apollo 4. Sorry about that.

 

[superbenk]

For what it's worth I paid $250 for the Alpha4 from a marina (was on vacation & needed a quick fix) & about $330 for the Apollo 4 from PropMD. I wanted to switch from aluminum to SS for the durability, but I think I liked how the Alpha4 ran a bit better. I only ran the Alpha4 for a week before it caught a rock pulling the boat at the end of our vacation & got chewed up/warped. I very rarely run in shallow water so the SS is a nice upgrade. PropMD was great to work with & they have a pitch exchange program which gave me a ton of piece of mind. They've gotten my prop repair work in the past & will again in the future.

 

[89retta]

I did have the Apollo ss 20" on mine and it was ok. Clipped some rocks with it not to bad. But I like I said tried a Turning point 4 blade 21" at first. It was great with a light load, then I bought one in 17" for watersports and finally a 19" for all around performance. All 3 cost me less then SS.

 

[jimmbo]

I would look at a 20 Enertia, or a 20 Hi Five. The Enertia grips the water very well and rarely lets go, even in turns while trimmed out. It is also one of the few props that can improve Hole Shot and improve top end. The Hi Five, one of the smoothest props around, grips the water well and is one of the best props for watersports. Myself I would never use a 4 blade prop, to me, they just don't look right

 

[89retta]

I would look at a 20 Enertia, or a 20 Hi Five. The Enertia grips the water very well and rarely lets go, even in turns while trimmed out. It is also one of the few props that can improve Hole Shot and improve top end. The Hi Five, one of the smoothest props around, grips the water well and is one of the best props for watersports. Myself I would never use a 4 blade prop, to me, they just don't look right

​Those are nice props but I know here in Edmonton. The Enertia is $700 and Hi five is about $500. The 4 blade may not look right but it performs great. And for $150 cant beat the price.

 

[jimmbo]

​Those are nice props but I know here in Edmonton. The Enertia is $700 and Hi five is about $500. The 4 blade may not look right but it performs great. And for $150 cant beat the price.

Where do you do your boating? I usually go to Wabuman, but also Long Lake, Calling Lake, Lac Sante, and Island Lake

 

[89retta]

. Wabuman is a gong show at the ramps. Pretty much Lac St Anne as I keep my boat stored there, Otherwise Thunder lake or Lac la biche. And for 2 weeks in the summer we hit the Shuswaps.

 

[jimmbo]

. Wabuman is a gong show at the ramps.

But great entertainment. I love just sitting on the dock watching the antics

 

[roufsnniw]

Thanks for the responses. Would like to add one more thing.
Looking to minimize the roost. 30-32 MPH at 15 off (60' behind the boat) seems to be the sweet spot at the moment for skiing. Hoping to knock off some more line if possible.

 

[89retta]

Do you have your drive trimmed all the way down when punching it ? Sounds like your trimmed up to high when skiing which causes stress on the u joints.

 

[roufsnniw]

Ya, I run trimmed down whenever doing watersports, unless tubing to create a bit more wake

 

[89retta]

Okay was asking cause you were complaining about the roost. Like I said try a Turning point 4 blade 19". Good prop and wont break the bank

 

[roufsnniw]

Understandable. Crappy phone photo but as you can see, the lip of the wake is reasonable, just looking to reduce the aerated portion in the center if possible.

 

[floater212]

I had a high five it was ok, my kid hit a rock so I needed a new prop found ron hill in California, he makes a five blade pleasure prop I got 19" pitch and it's been great ever since: #1 their props are a full 14.25" dia. ( high five= 13.10" dia.) and the blades are as full as normal props the high five I had the blades were thin, not in thickness but more in wideness by about 1" wider. #2 talk about a hole shot...like it jumps out of the water like a rocket and I didn't loose any top end, #3 cheaper than high fives...if I ever need another prop i'll go back to ron hill marine... my two cents..

 

[Scott06]

Always a big fan of 4 blades for what you want to do. Had real good experince with Michigan vortex, nice prop for the price. When I got my new boat got a vensura off eBay good hole shot and good mid range, nice bite in turns. Try a 18" or 20" 4 blade you'll like the whole shot.

Seeing Jimbos comments on the enertia has me very intrigued though...

Bottom line if you can find a local prop shop who will let you try this is the best bet. I think prop MD has a pitch exchange via mail order.