help me choose a prop

[brianmyles]

Hi everyone. I have a 2011 glastron mx 185 with a 4.3 merc and a alpha 1 with a 1.81 drive ratio. So, I was pulling a tube with a couple of kids in it yesterday and had 3 adults in the boat. I found it really did't want to get going very fast at all, once it leveled out it was fine. The mid range was great as well as the upper section the rpm range I would just like to get moving a little faster. The top rpm now is 4800 with a top speed of 48mph. I currently have a factory merc prop which is a 3 blade aluninum, I have no clue of the pitch but the # on it is b32830a45p19. thanks for your help B.t.w right now i can hit the rev limiter at about 5100 rpm with my current prop, I don't know if that matters but I figured I would throw that in as well

 

[Leardriver]

Re: help me choose a prop

Your current prop, which appears to be 19 pitch according to the part number, is perfectly hitting your target RPM's for its usual loading conditions.

You need more grunt out of the hole. A 4 blade aluminum prop from Solas is about $105 on this site, and that will help. I would get an 18 pitch, or even a 17.

You would have to manually control overrev with a 17, meaning that you couldn't run it wide open on top, but it would get you moving out of the hole quicker. You can always change props for a taller pitch on the days that you aren't pulling skiers and tubes. The 6 cylinder only has so much grunt to it.

 

[brianmyles]

Re: help me choose a prop

thanks for your help, I am not that concerned with top speed right now anyway because I usally have kids aboard. I have a look at that solas prop. thanks again