2004 Glastron GX 205 5.0 GXI prop advice.

[niteskies]

New to me 2004 Glastron GX 205 only 70 hours of use.
Volvo Penta 5.0 GXI (270 hp). SX-M 1.60 gear ratio.
Current Prop - Volvo Penta #3850301 - a 14.5 x 19 three blade aluminum prop (good condition).
Boat length 20 ft
Dry weight 3025 lbs or 2845 lbs. In doing web search for 2004 Gx 205 I am finding two different dry weights. The 3025 lbs is the weight listed the most often.
I boat at higher elevations than most folks, think Lake Powell at 3630 to 3700 ft water level elevation.

Testing with the current prop was done on a reservoir at 3800 ft elevation.

Testing conditions.
Fuel tank full - 35 gallons.
People two - 370 lbs
Gear approximately 200 lbs
Water conditions were rougher than I would of liked, but I made the best of the situation.

Performance
0 - 20 mph 5.11 seconds
0 - 30 mph 8.65 seconds
Slowest planning speed 19 mph
3000 rpm = 27.8 mph
3400 rpm = 30 mph
WOT (trimmed up) - 48.8 mph @ 5150 rpm
WOT (mid trim position) - 47.4 @ 4900 rpm.

Performance areas I care about are.
Hole shot for pulling slalom skiers
Mid range fuel economy ( think cruising at 30 mph)
Overall boat handling and ride
Slow planning speed.

Having read many of the prop discussions for similiar boats here in the forum. I was looking at the Stileto stainless steel Bay Pro II four blade in a 14.25 x 18, but then I learned that Stiletto no longer has an exchange program. I was told things changed after Yamaha bought them. It was suggested to look at the stainless steel Powertech ELE series. Powertech does have an exchange program in case the first prop I order is not quite right. I was given two recommendations either the ELE 15 x 17 four blade or the 14.5 x 19 four blade.


So prop gurus what is your advice? I will be buying a prop and of course I'd like to get the best option the first time if possible. Even though the props I mentioned are four blades I am not set on these choices, so if you have a different recommendation please let me know.

Thank you in advance for your assistance!

 

[Leardriver]

Re: 2004 Glastron GX 205 5.0 GXI prop advice.

Your RPM's indicate that you have the perfect prop. You want to be at the top end of your range for pulling skiers, etc.

If you switched to a 4 blade 19 pitch, you would likely improve the first surge out of the hole, like from 0 to 10 mph.

Where are you? i have 4 blade aluminum Volvo prop in 17 pitch that you could bolt on and see what it does holeshot and RPM wise if you are near Denver. I suspect that you will want a 19 pitch, but I am wrong a lot.

 

[cribber]

Re: 2004 Glastron GX 205 5.0 GXI prop advice.

You'll drop about 100-200 rpm going to the Bay Pro II 4 blade prop. My setup was an aluminum 3 blade 21 and I opted for the the 20" pitch Bay Pro II and my hole shot increased by a couple of seconds and I lost a little off my top end speed. Jut my personal experience and I like this prop. Steering seems more precise and idle speed wander was reduced.

 

[JimMH]

Re: 2004 Glastron GX 205 5.0 GXI prop advice.

I have a very similar boat. 2008 Larson LXI 208 with the same engine and drive I had a 3 blade aluminum 14.25X 21 and it had a top end of 59 but terrible hole shot and planing speed. I went with the Michigan Wheel 4 blade 14 X 20 Stainless and Hole shot is unbelievable now lowest to stay on plane is around 17 MPH @ 2200RPMs, 30MPH resulted with 2800 RPMs, Top end 57 MPH with 4900 RPMs. I also added smart tabs which really helped. Porpusing has gone completely away, I believe the smart tabs helped that more than the prop, and I have full range of trim unlike before. The Tabs helped more with the trim problem than the Prop but the prop really made the difference in the hole shot.

 

[JimMH]

Re: 2004 Glastron GX 205 5.0 GXI prop advice.

The Michigan Wheel 4 blade stainless is available on IBoats at an unbelievable price $230.00 including hub assembly and free shipping.

 

[niteskies]

Re: 2004 Glastron GX 205 5.0 GXI prop advice.

Leardriver, thank you for offer of testing the four blade 17p aluminum prop. I am in Colorado Springs, so I'm not sure if the drive to Denver to pick the prop up and then return it is worth it. Nothing like boating in Colorado, one weekend you can be boating at 3600 ft and the next weekend a high mountain lake at 8500 ft. Years ago when I was more adventorous I skied on Blue Mesa, skiing at 7500 ft in cold, cold water, with a view of snow capped mountains, now that's an experience.

Back to the question of which prop.
JimMH, thank you for the information on the Michagan Wheel four blade. I assume it is the Apollo four blade. Based upon your information it confirms my initial thoughts that at 3700 ft elevevation a four blade 18 pitch prop would be a good choice for my boat. I had not looked at the Apollo props, what is the quality like? How long have you had the prop? any rusting? I realize it is a Stainless steel prop, but not all metals are of the same quality.
I had been leaning towards the Stiletto Bay Pro II in a 18 pitch four blade, with the Apollo also available in a 18 pitch four blade, now it is a question of which one and is there any difference in the performance of the two.

Thanks again for everyone's replies.

 

[Tail_Gunner]

Re: 2004 Glastron GX 205 5.0 GXI prop advice.

Yes the 18p Baypro 11 would do nicely..you have a pm

 

[JimMH]

Re: 2004 Glastron GX 205 5.0 GXI prop advice.

I Have only had the prop for 3 months. I had a Michigan wheel Apollo on my previous boat, 2001 Glastron SX 195, Volvo 4.3GXI 14.25 X 21 for over 10 years with no problems with quality. the four blade Michigan Wheel is heavier but overall I expect to get the same great service out of this prop.

 

[Philster]

Re: 2004 Glastron GX 205 5.0 GXI prop advice.

4-blade, 18p SS prop.

Pick one. Solas HR Titan. Merc Bravo 1. Michigan.

A modern SS prop is going to have a more aggressive design vs the alum and this will take a 100 RPM +/- bite. Drop by 1 pitch when going to a 4-blader is the golden rule. So, if you have a 19p, 3B alum and you turn the RPM you do, the answer is 18p, 4-blade, SS prop.

.

 

[niteskies]

Re: 2004 Glastron GX 205 5.0 GXI prop advice.

Thank you everyone. I have ordered the Stiletto four blade Bay Pro II in 14.25 x 18. I have had Stiletto props on prior boats and was pleased with them, so I decided to go with another Stiletto prop. It will have the Stiletto hub kit for the Volvo SX outdrive.

I will report back with results after I give the Bay Pro II a run through the paces.

 

[mwbartlett]

Re: 2004 Glastron GX 205 5.0 GXI prop advice.

What size smart tabs did you install?

 

[chillywilly521]

Re: 2004 Glastron GX 205 5.0 GXI prop advice.

We have a 2004 Glastron GX235 and we are also thinking of going to a 4 bladed prop, so I'm curious how it went on the GX205.

 

[niteskies]

Re: 2004 Glastron GX 205 5.0 GXI prop advice.

I did get the Stiletto four blade Bay Pro II in 14.25 x 18. But I have only been out once with the new prop and it was on a lake at 4863 ft elevation, so not exactly a fair comparison to the three blade 19 pitch aluminum I was running on a lake at 3800 ft.
Here is the information.
0 - 20 mph 5.03 seconds
0 - 30 mph 7.82 seconds
slowest planning speed 18 mph
3000 rpm - 29.5mph
3050 rpm - 30 mph
Water conditions were to rough for me to really run at WOT, but for one test run, WOT (mid trim position) 46 mph @ 4650 rpm.

In a couple of weeks I have some time off work and will be boating at lower elevations, closer to the altitude of when I collected the performance information with the aluminum prop. I will post back with an update then.

A couple of observations, I like the prop. The comments made by others here and on other threads are true, better initial pull, less prop slip = improved effeciencies at mid range rpms, grips better in tight turns, mid range acceleration feels quicker.