Another which prop should i buy thread, volvo penta 3.0

jerni21

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Jun 28, 2003
Messages
46
hey guys, i purchased a boat last year, and it runs great it's a 2004 four winns h170 with a volvo penta 3.0 engine 135 hp and a SX drive, it has the original prop on it that is in pretty decent shape, it is a 14.25 X 21P alluminum prop. It seems to do pretty well even though i put a few dings in it last year due to low water levels. So my plan is to get it refurbished this year and use it as a spare because i dont have one right now, and i wanna get a new one, reason being is that the max WOT RPM recommended is 4600rpm and i can easily get 5000rpm out of it (havent tried to get anymore, i stop trimming up at 5000) so i would like to go to possibly a 23P prop and get a few more mph's out of it and drop the rpm's a little bit since i'm going over the max wot rpm. So i've been researching props lately and i'd like to get a stainless steel 23P prop but i'm not sure which one i should get, the diameter of my current one is 14.25, but i see there is other diameters, what's the difference in diameters? i know the difference is that much, but they are different. Also my next question is, what's the better brand? or does it make a difference, i see some under $200, and some up to almost $500. Sorry for the long post but there are so many choices and i have never bought a prop before, so if you could at least get me started, i would appreciate it.
 

steelespike

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Apr 26, 2002
Messages
19,069
Re: Another which prop should i buy thread, volvo penta 3.0

I think your boat is about 2500 lbs and I don't think it would be badly overeving with a 21"
prop.Check the back of the tach should be a switch.Note the setting and rotate it a few times to clean the contacts.See what results.Otherwise you should varify it is accurate perhaps borrow a shop tach. What is your present max rpm and speed.You'll do no harm to briefly run the max to get a base line reading.
 

jerni21

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Jun 28, 2003
Messages
46
Re: Another which prop should i buy thread, volvo penta 3.0

yea, it's by no means badly over revving, i just thought since it was running a little higher, i could still get the reccomended wot rpm's and gain a few more mph's, i really dont need it, just thought i could get a little more out of it. I'm not sure what the exact top speed was, i think i could get 38-40 mph with two people and gear in it. I'm still a month or so away from getting on the water as we're just getting over winter here but i'm just trying to plan ahead.
 

steelespike

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Apr 26, 2002
Messages
19,069
Re: Another which prop should i buy thread, volvo penta 3.0

I think you would be better off getting a good base line once you get on the water.
It would appear a 23 would bring down your rpm about 400.It won't be much good for water sports or if you run with a bunch of passengers.
 

jerni21

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Jun 28, 2003
Messages
46
Re: Another which prop should i buy thread, volvo penta 3.0

what about manufactureres when i do buy? Is there really that much of a difference between a $200 prop and a $500 prop?
 

honeys money

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
Nov 18, 2008
Messages
77
Re: Another which prop should i buy thread, volvo penta 3.0

I have a 23" and a 19", I put the 19" on for pulling wake boards and such, and for times my wife and I just take long rides I like the 23" motor is a little quiter and maybe used less fuel.
 

steelespike

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Apr 26, 2002
Messages
19,069
Re: Another which prop should i buy thread, volvo penta 3.0

As far as manufacturers All are basically the same except some are more exotic than others.
I would stick with less expensive till you know how the boat performs with your present prop
and have selected a change if necessary.You will find that ss props are more expensive.They
can improve performance but how much would depend on how well the previous prop works.
There are some al props that can perform close to a ss.A ss isn't an automatic cureall, improvement can be a few tenths to a few mph. with some improvement across the rpm range..
 

Tail_Gunner

Admiral
Joined
Jan 13, 2006
Messages
6,237
Re: Another which prop should i buy thread, volvo penta 3.0

Well id first check your tach for accuracy....a 21p prop is a lot of prop for that boat....23 im sure would be a mistake...Just so you know boat tachs ly like a little kid near fresh baked cookies

Post your gearing its stamped on the side of the outdrive..That will take some guess work out of the issue

Solas makes a nice prop for the money and i-boats is priced very well
 
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