New prop for 03 Tahoe 220

[burrben]

Hi,
I just bought a Tahoe 220 deck boat and it has on it a bent up Michigan Wheel 14 1/2 x 19deg 3 blade right hand prop. The boat has a 5.0L 220hp Mercruiser on it. This is my first boat so I don't want to get a SS prop until I really know what I'm doing. The boat has very poor low speed wander in no wake zones and it's hard to dock (even my friends who have their own boats who tried say so). From what I've read online a 4 blade prop will really help with maneuvering.

Using the 14 1/2 diameter I can only find a 18 deg pitch 4 blade prop.
Michigan Wheel Vortex XHS Aluminum Propeller (992203) - iboats

If I replace the hub, could I get a different diameter prop? If so, I might rather a 20deg 4 blade.
Michigan Wheel Vortex XHS Aluminum Propeller (992204) - iboats

I'm just using the boat for cruising, very very rarely for water sking. It's run in the inter-coastal in central FL. I really don't have any performance numbers since the prop is so bent. What do you think?

 

[steelespike]

Re: New prop for 03 Tahoe 220

First props are measured in inches, Diameter X pitch.
Assuming your wot rpm is within range it would be normal to drop down to a 18" pitch when going to a 4 blade,
to maintain rpm.Usually a 4 blade will have better hole shot,stay on plane easier at reduced throttle and
may handle better around the dock.
Your wander is normal for certain hull shapes especially deepV.
The 4 blade may help you control the wander but your reaction to the boats wander will be the ultimate solution.
You need to be aware of the boats movement and anticipate when to correct and not over correct.
Once you get trained it will become automatic.
Trim tabs are said to help limit wander.

 

[burrben]

Re: New prop for 03 Tahoe 220

So if I remove my current prop, but I want to keep the hub, do I have to stay with a 14.5x18in 4 blade, or can I goto a 14x20in 4 blade? My guess is that if I change the diameter I'll have to buy a new hub also. Is that true?

 

[steelespike]

Re: New prop for 03 Tahoe 220

No need to change the hub. The change in diameter doesn't directly affect the hub If the prop is intended for your Mercuiser
system the prop will fit.
While there are props with removable hubs Like the Solas Rubex These help make it easier and slightly less expensive to try different props by manually moving the hub from prop to prop.Most regular props come with the hubs in place No need to change it.

 

[Slip Away]

Re: New prop for 03 Tahoe 220

Go with the 20p 4 blade aluminum. I did, and it is great.

 

[Starcraft5834]

Re: New prop for 03 Tahoe 220

I went from 3 blade to 4 blade.......fixed my issues.......IMHO.. 4 blade a better overall choice.. does almost everything better..........as long as you are ok with losing a few mph top end.........

 

[Tail_Gunner]

Re: New prop for 03 Tahoe 220

First props are measured in inches, Diameter X pitch.
Assuming your wot rpm is within range it would be normal to drop down to a 18" pitch when going to a 4 blade,
to maintain rpm.Usually a 4 blade will have better hole shot,stay on plane easier at reduced throttle and
may handle better around the dock.
Your wander is normal for certain hull shapes especially deepV.
The 4 blade may help you control the wander but your reaction to the boats wander will be the ultimate solution.
You need to be aware of the boats movement and anticipate when to correct and not over correct.
Once you get trained it will become automatic.
Trim tabs are said to help limit wander.

Bingo take head here no 4 blade will eliminate bow steer.

 

[Slip Away]

Re: New prop for 03 Tahoe 220

A 4 blade will reduce / minimize bow steer.