2005 four winns funship prop ideas?

[Ming15237]

Hey all newbie here. I have a 2005 four winns funship 214 (deck boat) with a 5.0L 260 hp mpi v8. The boat weights 4200lbs w fuel and no passengers. The stock prop is 14.5 with 19 pitch 3 blade aluminum, this setup will top 50 mph. I am looking to improve the whole shot, as top speed is not that important to me, as long as I stay in the mid 40's, and my handling and turning sucks. I was. Looking to go the 4 blade ss route. Do you guys have any suggestion on size and pitch for my new prop, as well as brand? I was looking at Michigan wheel props, but really have no idea on selection. Also this boat currently has a stingray tail on the out drive. My rpm's at top speed are almost 5k, which I believe are tops for this motor. Any help would be fantastic guys, thanks again.

 

[jestor68]

Re: 2005 four winns funship prop ideas?

Your WOT rpm range is 4600-5000 rpm.

When switching from a 3 blade to a 4 blade, the general rule is to reduce an inch of pitch to maintain rpm.

Both Solas and Michigan make nice 18 pitch SS 4 blade props. You will enjoy the improvement in acceleration, handling, and cruising performance.

The only down side is a slight reduction in top speed compared to the 3 blade prop of the same material.

 

[Ming15237]

Re: 2005 four winns funship prop ideas?

Thanks for the swift reply Jestor. It looks like I will be picking up an 1 Apollo Stainless 4 Blade 14.375" dia x 18" pitch SR - Michigan Wheel 993204 does this seem correct to you? Anything else I should be purchasing while I am at it? Thanks again for your help. When people speak of loosing some top end are the speaking of 1 to 2 mph or 5 to 10 mph?

 

[jestor68]

Re: 2005 four winns funship prop ideas?

Thanks for the swift reply Jestor. It looks like I will be picking up an 1 Apollo Stainless 4 Blade 14.375" dia x 18" pitch SR - Michigan Wheel 993204 does this seem correct to you? Anything else I should be purchasing while I am at it? Thanks again for your help. When people speak of loosing some top end are the speaking of 1 to 2 mph or 5 to 10 mph?

The prop should come with the appropriate hub kit(202). That will get you everything you'll need for installation.

Going to a SS prop, you may not lose any speed at all compared to your old aluminum prop.

 

[Ming15237]

Re: 2005 four winns funship prop ideas?

The prop should come with the appropriate hub kit(202). That will get you everything you'll need for installation.

Going to a SS prop, you may not lose any speed at all compared to your old aluminum prop.

That's what I was hoping, as my aluminum prop is really beat, with lots of nicks and tweaks out of it, it is still the original prop on the boat! Can't wait for spring! Thanks again for your help.

 

[Leardriver]

Re: 2005 four winns funship prop ideas?

That's a heavy boat for a 5.0.

I would get a 16 or 17 pitch, which would really boost the low end hole shot.

Your top end will be within 2 mph, and it will feel like an entirely different boat down low.

 

[Ming15237]

Re: 2005 four winns funship prop ideas?

One more question guys, when ordering this prop it said order trim tab 18-6014 which is an anode with a fin on it, why put that on instead of the anode that simply fits flush on the drive ( and has no fin attached to it) that the boat came with, does that fin on the new anode make some kind of difference? Thanks again.

 

[jestor68]

Re: 2005 four winns funship prop ideas?

That's just for 3.0L (and older units) that don't have power steering. All Mercruisers with power steering use the FLAT anode.

 

[Ming15237]

Re: 2005 four winns funship prop ideas?

Just wanted to thank everybody whom replied to my thread, and give an update. The four blade propeller did make a big difference in planing speed for the boat. I now can get on plane at 15 to 17 mph, where I use to not plane until 20 to 23 mph. Too early to tell about the effects on fuel economy yet, as I only ad the boat out for about 2 hours. Now to the best part, my former top speed was 50 mph at 4500rpm, and would begin to fall after a short amount of time, my new top speed is 50 mph at 4800 to 4900 rpm and it holds that just fine, so it. Appears that I have lost little to nothing as far as top end goes and have gained increased maneuverability plainsong speed and now have the engine in its sweet spot for rpm's. thanks guys again. I was on the verge of getting rid of this boat because it was so lethargic with the stock propeller!