A few comments on what seems to be a very popular topic here: What is the best prop for 3.0L in a runabout focused on 'water sports'.
I recently down-propped from the stock 21" Quicksilver 3 blade aluminum to a 19" Michigan Match to get better water toy performance. Just got back from our annual houseboat vacation and put about 40 hours on the boat... here 's a few observations.
Pull out of the hole is better (expected).
Slinging tubes across the wake is better (expected)
Top speed dropped from 44 to 37. (expected)
There is a bit more prop 'noise' at certain RPM ranges
WOT RPM of the engine dropped from 4700 to 4300. ( unexpected!)
I am interperting the noise and WOT rpm drop as an indication of a less effecient propeller. Looking at the two props side by side, I can see that the blade bases are much thicker on the Michigan, probably causing more drag at high rpm. Exhaust 'port' configuration is also a bit different between the two props.
This summer the kids have started water skiing and wakeboarding so I'll probably look next at a SS adjustable-vent prop in 20" pitch. (the tubes are being outgrown)
The overall objective is to get the elusive decent holeshot and 40 mph top speed out of 135 hp.
I guess I could re-boat, but though the 135 hp leaves something to be desired for pulling skiers and wakeboarders, the $50/day fuel bill is a lot better than the $150 I see the dedicated wakeboard boats using. (Marina gas here is $4.40/gal)
Feedback/suggestions more than welcome on next prop.
Vensura? High-5? This one will be expensive... so I only want to do it once.
I don't want to go smart-tabs as I use the boat for Salmon fishing and having additional hardware back on the transom makes a good place to cut a line on.
I recently down-propped from the stock 21" Quicksilver 3 blade aluminum to a 19" Michigan Match to get better water toy performance. Just got back from our annual houseboat vacation and put about 40 hours on the boat... here 's a few observations.
Pull out of the hole is better (expected).
Slinging tubes across the wake is better (expected)
Top speed dropped from 44 to 37. (expected)
There is a bit more prop 'noise' at certain RPM ranges
WOT RPM of the engine dropped from 4700 to 4300. ( unexpected!)
I am interperting the noise and WOT rpm drop as an indication of a less effecient propeller. Looking at the two props side by side, I can see that the blade bases are much thicker on the Michigan, probably causing more drag at high rpm. Exhaust 'port' configuration is also a bit different between the two props.
This summer the kids have started water skiing and wakeboarding so I'll probably look next at a SS adjustable-vent prop in 20" pitch. (the tubes are being outgrown)
The overall objective is to get the elusive decent holeshot and 40 mph top speed out of 135 hp.
I guess I could re-boat, but though the 135 hp leaves something to be desired for pulling skiers and wakeboarders, the $50/day fuel bill is a lot better than the $150 I see the dedicated wakeboard boats using. (Marina gas here is $4.40/gal)
Feedback/suggestions more than welcome on next prop.
Vensura? High-5? This one will be expensive... so I only want to do it once.
I don't want to go smart-tabs as I use the boat for Salmon fishing and having additional hardware back on the transom makes a good place to cut a line on.
