Looking for recommendations on Props

[glcody]

My boat is Mariah Barchetta 18.5 Bowrider, 4.3L Mercrusier V6. The prop is the OEM 21" pitch prop and gives me close to 42 mph at 4800 to 5K rpms. The main reason I'm looking to change props it the one I'm currently running is already a "spare" prop and has seen its share of repair. I bought this boat in Jan and the seller suggested I consider a getting new prop. <br /><br />The current prop performs pretty well with 2 or 3 people. However, when I'm under much of a load, the hole shot seems poor, I experience high bow rise and planning seems sluggish. I’m probably looking at purchasing two props: one for cruising with a little more top end and one for water skiing/wakeboarding with more thrust. I’m hoping to get some recommendations on size/type as well as brands other people have experienced on similar type boats. I’m looking at some 4 blade models, but would like to hear from someone about their experience and performance with a 4 blade prop.<br /><br />Recommendations?

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Looking for recommendations on Props

Four blades will maybe help hole shot but you will likely lose top end. The engine is currently at the top end of the RPM range (in fact a little over). Less pitch puts you well over the edge. More pitch will pull off some RPM and probably slow you down. It will also make your hole shot worse. If the prop you have needs replacement because of damage and wear, you could replace it with a similar style and pitch. Prop styles vary greatly within a given diameter and pitch. There is no magic formula -- you need to try before you buy (if possible). Most prop manufacturers can help you if they know what you have, how your boat performs now, and what you want to achieve.

 

[bluewater19]

Re: Looking for recommendations on Props

Baracuda,<br /> I use a 21 pitch highfive for sking. you will lose a few mph off the top end.<br />A 21 pitch laser II for cruising and topend.<br /> I gained 2 mph over my oem aluminum prop on my 17.5' bowrider with a 4.3L mercruiser using the laser . <br />I tried a whole bunch of props and these 2 styles seem to work best with the amount of horsepower and hull the our type of boats have.<br />I found the bigger diameter 3 bladed props like the tempest plus and mirage plus offer alot of lift and keep my boat on plane at lower speeds but the holeshot suffered a little bit. The offshore 4 blade really killed the topend on my boat by 5mph and did very little to improve holeshot. <br />These results may not be typical. <br /> I ended up also trying a custom Ron Hill 5 bladed prototype 14.25" 21 pitch and it was Awesome but pricey. I can pull 3 people with no problems and the boat just squirts onto plane. Top speed is good also. This is the prop I use if I know I am going to have a full boat for watersports.<br /> I hope this helps a little with your quest to find a good prop for your boat.<br />Good luck

 

[Boatist]

Re: Looking for recommendations on Props

For Crusing go with a 23 Pitch stainless of about the same diameter. This will bring your engine RPM down from 5000 rpms to the center of the recommended range 4600 rpms. You will gain 3 MPH and get better fuel mileage but have slower hole shot.