Buy the same prop or different prop...

[rauch0812]

Need to buy a new prop - finally figured out the info off my old one... The only numbers we can make out after scraping off the barnacles are:

After much searching I think this part number: 48-832830-19c
equals this prop: Mercury Black Max 3 Blade Prop Propeller 14-1/2 X 19

Should we buy the same prop or is now a good time to change it? We tend to ride with a heavy load of people and like to tube and wakeboard. I'm not looking to spend a ton of money, so I'll probably end up sticking with aluminum. Any advice? This boat is new to us, only been out a few times and don't have anything to compare to..

 

[steelespike]

Re: Buy the same prop or different prop...

Someone should be along that can tell the details.I can tell you it is a Mercury prop
19" pitch clockwise rotation.If its stainless it will attract a magnet.Aluminum does not. If you look here at iboats for 19" props for your boat and motor combination you
will find dozens af brands and types including Mercury.Let us know your details.Number of blades,al. or ss.

 

[RicMic]

Re: Buy the same prop or different prop...

I'm still trying to get past the "scraping off the barnacles" part.

 

[steelespike]

Re: Buy the same prop or different prop...

What motor/hp.,boat dry weight?Actual typical weight load,present max rpm and speed lightly loaded.without barnacles.
Is the bottom clean and smooth?

 

[rauch0812]

Re: Buy the same prop or different prop...

lol, the barnacles were in the middle hub part of the propeller. We bought the boat in April and the previous owner obviously kept the boat in the water. We scraped the barnacles, acid washed the boat, polished and waxed, did some gelcoat repair and repainted the bottom... this picture is from BEFORE the work was done - she looks alot better now!

Anyway, here is some of the information:
1998 Larson 206Lxi Bowrider
I think the boat weighs 2700lbs
5.0L Mercruiser I/O, HP 220
Alpha one Gen two outdrive
Max WOT 4400-4800
Max Speed we've gotten it up to 42 with 4 people in the boat.

The max occupancy/weight for the boat is 11 persons / 1700lbs
We typically have 6 people (sometimes 8) tubing or wakeboarding but the boat takes forever to get on plane. We installed a second battery, usually carry a cooler, 37 gal fuel tank is usually full, and two heavy tubes in the floor compartment (we lost about 100lbs in barnacles )
Current prop is a 3 blade aluminum prop.

You can see the white marks where I scraped the barnacles out of the hub and the very chewed up prop:

New Info Added: The boat was originally equiped with a 14 1/4 x 21 propeller when sold by the dealer, but they said it's no prob to change to a 19 (which is what's on it now). We took the boat out yesterday with 6 people and with the throttle wide open we got up to 38 mph and the RPM's were at 4800.

 

[rauch0812]

Re: Buy the same prop or different prop...

Ok... down to two props...
______________________________________

Quicksilver 14 1/4 x 19 3-blade aluminum prop
- or -
Quicksilver 14 1/2 x 18 4-blade aluminum prop
______________________________________

Here's my question... when running full out my RPM's are at the top of the range at 4800 (range is 4400-4800) with the 19 pitch 3-blade.

I'm being told I can switch to the 18 pitch 4-blade so I can get on plane faster and the RPM's should stay about the same...

Does that sound right? Any thoughts?