Best Prop type for my use?

[EMC 1810SS]

I have a Starcraft 1810SS with a 4.3 LX MErcruiser. I am trying to figure out which type of prop would give me the best overall performance for my useage. Generaly we have Myself, my wife and two kids in the boat, full to half tank of gas a cooler etc in the boat. Sometimes we have another couple and thier kid in the boat to. We use the boat to tow the tube, tow on skis but mostly just cruising around both mid and at top speed. Handling is also important for tight fast turns while towing. Currently it has a 3 blade generic SS Vengance prop. What prop type would improve my performance? A 3 blade with more or less rake? A 4 blade? type? Even a 5 blade high 5? If it was yours, what would you use?

Current set up:
Alpha 1 drive
4.3LX
Mercury Vengance SS 21in Prop
Top Speed: 54-55 at 5000 rpm with Just Me in the boat

Typical load: 52 mph at 4800 rpm

 

[steelespike]

Re: Best Prop type for my use?

You did a pretty good job on your info but I didn't see a year of your rig.
Your boat appears to perform very well though you should try to stay below 5,000
stick close to 4800 for max rpm.Any average boat that routinely runs over 50 is setup pretty well.
If you could be more specific about your hole shot, how it pulls skies?Is it able to turn tightly now? A 4 blade prop will generally inprove hole shot, handle very well both at speed and at the dock. Someone may be along with more specifics.

 

[EMC 1810SS]

Re: Best Prop type for my use?

The boat and engine are 1995 with no modifications.
It pulls skier fairly well and will tow the tube VERY well. I do have an issue saying on plane pulling less experienced skiers just becuse they want the speed so slow. It also does not "grip" well in the corners. It is even worse when trying to "whip" someone on a tube. I would say I am looking for better handling in the corners, better low speed planning but I want to keep as much top end as possible.

Here is a video at full speed, smooth water about 1000 ft elevation, 2 adults 2 chidren in the boat.

 

[Tail_Gunner]

Re: Best Prop type for my use?

That rig is dialed in pretty good and a merc vengance is a good prop, Going to a good 4 blade will change things...smoother feel, lower planing speeds and good midrange punch with a top end loss of 1-2 mph. Top end loss is really not a big thing...seriously...how much time do you spend at wot...not to much i hope..

The high five is a great prop but its a hard pusher lots of grip, great for pulling hard. A stilletto bay pro 2 in a 20 p would be a lot of fun the boat would feel smoother lighter and have a midrange punch that would be different. The prop has quite a bit of overall lift..the boat will ride higher in the water and corner quite well.

The solas HR titan in a 21p 4 blade would be another good choice its not quite as agressive as the Stilleto hench the larger pitch and some midrange loss

For all around family and freinds boating id pick the BayPro...not to many people enjoy bouncing arond at 50+ in a chop and you can control that. Now with that said remeber i said the stilletto gives huge lift.....ever try running 52 dancing on the last 3' of your boat in a 1-2' chop....you will never notice that last 2 mph....

Heres a pic of the lift at wot..That foot print is less than 3' wide the beam of the boat is 8' if you look close you can somewhat see the angle of the wake from the outside to the inner notice no disturbance on the outer edges and how it falls off quickly not much boat in the water there....Its a 3000lb boat 19'

 

[EMC 1810SS]

Re: Best Prop type for my use?

That rig is dialed in pretty good and a merc vengance is a good prop, Going to a good 4 blade will change things...smoother feel, lower planing speeds and good midrange punch with a top end loss of 1-2 mph. Top end loss is really not a big thing...seriously...how much time do you spend at wot...not to much i hope..

Not enough, but probably to much!

Heres a pic of the lift at wot..That foot print is less than 3' wide the beam of the boat is 8' if you look close you can somewhat see the angle of the wake from the outside to the inner notice no disturbance on the outer edges and how it falls off quickly not much boat in the water there....Its a 3000lb boat 19'

WOW, that is really up there. Do you have issues with it starting to chine walk?

 

[Tail_Gunner]

Re: Best Prop type for my use?

On a glass surface and a empty boat sometimes above 55 it tail wags a bit, but with a load or a chop not at all. I have more than a few props and every time it always back to the baypro...Even at my age that midrange pop puts a grin on and if thats not enough juice or fun....Well its time to go out in the main river and find a few 2' rollers with the lift that's already going on....they put it over the top quickly and 60..who cares..

I doubt you will lose more than 1-2 mph on the top but you will not have problems staying on plane...Pure top end....Id guess a 3 blade Solas Hr titan in a 22 you should be able to turn that to 4800


Elite Military Comanders by any chance.....

 

[steelespike]

Re: Best Prop type for my use?

I hope you run in a pfd and with a kill lanyard.A boat can turn really mean real quick with the wrong wave or turn at that speed. I saw a video of a guy crossing a wake get thrown right out of the boat.While he was hot dogging a little the wake didn't look that big.

 

[Tail_Gunner]

Re: Best Prop type for my use?

I hope you run in a pfd and with a kill lanyard.A boat can turn really mean real quick with the wrong wave or turn at that speed. I saw a video of a guy crossing a wake get thrown right out of the boat.While he was hot dogging a little the wake didn't look that big.

Very much so spike i use and wear safety precautions, i am well aware of the chine walk threshold and give it more respect than you might imagine..I also have seen the vid of that bass boat....i dont believe id jump one of those light weight sleds..actually no chance. I should say i do not advocate such boating as a rule it really is unsafe...but i do know what my tub is capable of and go there from time to time...solo that is never with my wife and kids....not a chance.

 

[jopes]

Re: Best Prop type for my use?

That rig is dialed in pretty good and a merc vengance is a good prop, Going to a good 4 blade will change things...smoother feel, lower planing speeds and good midrange punch with a top end loss of 1-2 mph. Top end loss is really not a big thing...seriously...how much time do you spend at wot...not to much i hope..

The high five is a great prop but its a hard pusher lots of grip, great for pulling hard. A stilletto bay pro 2 in a 20 p would be a lot of fun the boat would feel smoother lighter and have a midrange punch that would be different. The prop has quite a bit of overall lift..the boat will ride higher in the water and corner quite well.

The solas HR titan in a 21p 4 blade would be another good choice its not quite as agressive as the Stilleto hench the larger pitch and some midrange loss

For all around family and freinds boating id pick the BayPro...not to many people enjoy bouncing arond at 50+ in a chop and you can control that. Now with that said remeber i said the stilletto gives huge lift.....ever try running 52 dancing on the last 3' of your boat in a 1-2' chop....you will never notice that last 2 mph....

Heres a pic of the lift at wot..That foot print is less than 3' wide the beam of the boat is 8' if you look close you can somewhat see the angle of the wake from the outside to the inner notice no disturbance on the outer edges and how it falls off quickly not much boat in the water there....Its a 3000lb boat 19'

View attachment 89489

Tail_Gunner, sounds like you have been through a prop or 20 before. What power plant you running in that boat that you have the bay pro on? I take it thats a baypro 3?

 

[EMC 1810SS]

Re: Best Prop type for my use?

Elite Military Comanders by any chance.....

No, sorry Just my initials.

I think I am going to try a good 4 blade like the Bay Pro. The guy I sent my prop to for refinishing recomended a PowerTech ELE4 Prop in 21 inch.

I think I can turn it in 21 since I am already pushing the envelope on RPMs.

I Like the lift of that Bay Pro but I am worried about high speed stability.

 

[Tail_Gunner]

Re: Best Prop type for my use?

Your not on the edge...your cam is limiting your motors performance. The baypro shines in I/Os check your pm tommorrow...