Need Advice on Merc High Five Prop

[168rod]

I have a Caravelle 217LS w/Mercruiser Alpha Drive w/1.63 gears, 5.0L MPI 260 hp, WOT of 4800, 51 mph. Current prop is Merc Black Max 3-Blade aluminum 21p. I'm 6'5 230 and into wakeboarding so looking for something with great hole shot and overall good performance (current set-up snatches me up out of the water fine). I'm considering the 21p High Five or Enertia 21p. Can anyone provide advice?

Thanks ...

 

[QC]

Re: Need Advice on Merc High Five Prop

Your hole shot will probably suffer with the Enertia vs. an Aluminum as typically aluminum props have better hole shot at the same pitch. I had a High Five with a similar setup and it had great hole shot and decent all around, but I never ran an Aluminum on that boat . . . Also, I think I had a 1.5:1 ratio and the hull was lighter. I don't recall the pitch.

The High 5s are known for hole shot for sure, it's just that you may have to go down to a 19 to match the hole shot you have. I would make sure you could return the High Five and give it a try. For all around they are pretty hard to beat.

Great info supply for a first post, thanks. Welcome aboard.

 

[Varago]

Re: Need Advice on Merc High Five Prop

168 Rod the Enertia is an awesome prop. The sales pitch is 30% better holeshot and 2 mph on the top end over your standard SS. I got very good results with it. All speeds are gps with 20 gallons of gas and 200lbs of me on board.

With a 08 Bluewater Vision 20' VP-Gxi(270hp) 3000lb
OMC Viper 23" 4600rpm 53mph 0-30 8.0 sec 3 blade
High Five 23" 4600rpm 52mph 0-30 6.5 sec 5 blade with small vent plugs
BlackMax 21" 5000rpm 51mph 0-30 ??? stock 3 blade
Enertia 21" 5000rpm 56 mph 0-30 6.25 sec 3 blade with solid vent plugs

The high Five would be quicker and maybe a bit faster at 21" then the 23". One great thing about the HF is it was soild and never lost grip on the water.

check this test report
http://www.trailerboats.com/output.c...&sectionid=315
and this FAQ on props
http://www.stingrayboats.com/products/faq/prop_faq.html

The stringray FAQ needs to be updated the new 21" HF's are vented.

just my two cents

Dave



try this
http://www.trailerboats.com/output.cfm?id=1222309&sectionid=315

 

[168rod]

Re: Need Advice on Merc High Five Prop

Thanks for the info QC ... The secondary reason I'm looking at the High Five is because my friends keep giving me crap for having such a nice boat with a plain aluminum prop. Thanks Again ...

 

[168rod]

Re: Need Advice on Merc High Five Prop

Thanks Varago ... The trailerboat link did not get me to the test report but I was able to view the stingray info. From what you and QC told me I feel I need a PHD in prop methodolgy to choose the right prop. I appreciate all of the info. I think I'm sold on the High Five. Howver, not sure if I should go down to a 19p. I'm fearful RPM would be too high and every web site I looked at indicated not returns. Also, other info indicated that if you have good performance with current pitch then stick with it? Just hate having to spend over $400 on a prop and find out it's not right.

 

[QC]

Re: Need Advice on Merc High Five Prop

Go with Varago's info. He has data, and my experience is with non-vented. Good stuff their V-man. Data trumps everything!!!!

168dude . . . I always say props are 50% Science and 90% Voodoo

Edit: The trailer boats link is kaput for me . . .