Getting more from a 3.0... prop wise...

[Dante04SRT]

I am looking for a little more out of the hole from my 3.0 Mercruiser. It does ok currently, but we are trying to pull a skier up with it. I currently have a 19P prop. I am looking to go down to a 17P. Yes, I know about the MPH, but its not an issue for me.

I am looking at a 15.5" x 17P aluminum prop that will fit my Alpha One. My question is a 2 part:

#1: Will the 15.5" diameter hurt me in any way? With the 3.0, I'd think staying around 14" would be better, but will it hurt or help in any way being a 15.5"?

#2: What is the differences between the stainless and aluminum props from a performance standpoint?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Matt's 175]

Re: Getting more from a 3.0... prop wise...

Take a look at the Stiletto Advantage II props. My original prop was a 14 1/4 x 21 pitch black max prop. The best top speed I ever got with that one was 43.1 MPH. I switched to a 14 1/4 x 19 pitch Stiletto and hit 43.5 mph. Only a .4 increase, but I now have an amazing hole shot and I can turn much sharper without the prop blowing out.

 

[tommays]

Re: Getting more from a 3.0... prop wise...

I also have a 3.0 and the 17" is the only way to get a killer hole shot BUT your WOT speed wil be about 32 MPH at best with about 28 MPH the most i would run at


I also have a 19", 21" and 20" 4 blade all my props are in the 14" DIA range

 

[rondi]

Re: Getting more from a 3.0... prop wise...

I'll second that what Matt said about the Stiletto Advantage II 19P.
That's what I use and it pulls strong and gets me the same top end as the stock Black Max 21

 

[PowerAddict]

Re: Getting more from a 3.0... prop wise...

w/ my 17p prop I can do about 36-38 w/ people in the boat and 43ish with just me. .

But My boat's pretty light.

I can pull up anyone on skis though. I've considered going to a 19p, but i'm pretty happy right now.