Is my thinking correct?

[bigdog1]

I have a 1999 190 Sea Ray Sundeck, repowered with a 2002 Optimax 150. WOT is 5200-5300 rpms. Range is 5250-5750.

I am running a 15X17 aluminum. It gets on plane quickly, stays on plane at low speed and will run about 42 mph.

I have a little trouble pulling up skiers quickly enough though. I boat at 7000 feet also.

My thought is to purchase a 4 blade 15 pitch. Staying with aluminum due to budget and the fact I only this boat a dozen times a year or so.

Will I have better power pulling up heavy skiers?

 

[Bondo]

Re: Is my thinking correct?

Ayuh,.... That sounds reasonable to Me.....

 

[chris0061]

Re: Is my thinking correct?

Hello, Props are very tricky I think, I put a GT 150 on my 17 foot runabout and it had a 22 pitch raker on it. I could only pull 4800 rpm. Walley helped me threw this but I bought a 19 pitch alum prop and got me up to 5200 rpm so I went a step further and got a Michigan stainless off eBay, also 19 pitch and it got me to 5600 at 51.7 mph on GPS and with my gear ratio on my lower end that gives me a 2% slip and that is right were I need to be. If you read the posts allot has to do with is it cupped or not, certain brands are for certain applications. I also bought a 18 pitch turbo prop off eBay and it does not perform near what the Michigan does. I don't know if this helped any but I thought I should pass on what I have learned on this forum.

 

[steelespike]

Re: Is my thinking correct?

Not an expert but::
Any time you change props it can be a crap shoot but with some research and if you stay with the same material results should stay within usual specs.
Any time you change material/design results might get whacky.
I would say that the 4 blade 15" pitch aluminum would greatly improve hole shot and low speed performance the 4 blade will tend to lower max rpm but the pitch will probably result in more rpm.It might put you at about 5,600.
From my very limited research the 4 blade might produce a really effective cruising speed.