Prop for Searay 180BR with Alpha 1 3.0

[Dave LeSueur]

I am looking for a replacement Prop for my 2000 Searay 180 BR with 3.0 merc. engine (135HP) and Alpha 1 sterndrive.
1. I am looking at an SS prop for durability- I chew up the edges of my existing 3 aluminum props- I usually repair 2-3 props each summer.. I am also looking for better acceleration because we do a lot of skiing and wakeboarding and getting a slalom skier up is difficult if they are big guys.
2 . I now have 14.5" x 19 pitch 3 blade aluminum Michigan Wheel props. I am generally happy with their performance, except for slalom skiing.
3. I don't know WOT rpm, since my tach is nonfunctional or untrustwothy when it works.
4. Boat and engine specs are listed above.
I am thinking about buying a 16 or 17 pitch, 3 blade Stainless steel prop.
The ones I've looked at usually have a slightly smaller or larger diameter. Is this significant? I am very concerned about the pitch and think I may just hurt my top end or damage my engine/outdrive by going to a lower pitch, and that my performance issue is really attributable to the small 135HP engine.
Any suggestions?

 

[Timber1]

Re: Prop for Searay 180BR with Alpha 1 3.0

I have the exact same boat as you (2000 sea ray 180 br with 3.0)...we love the high five 19p stainless steel prop and use it for everything (water sports and general use)...with family and gear, we are usually about 700 pounds in the boat...

 

[steelespike]

Re: Prop for Searay 180BR with Alpha 1 3.0

If your making hard contact your better off with the aluminum, bends easier but repairs cheaper.If your making soft contacts the ss will hold up better.
You shouldn't change props without a tach you could endup over reving or lugging
both bad for the motor.You don't need ss for good performance An 18" 4 blade aluminum like the Solas Amita Will get you up for skiing. And cost about 1/3 of a ss.
Diameter simply follows the design and if the prop is intended for your drive it will work. Diameter is usually only considered for certain specific problems.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Prop for Searay 180BR with Alpha 1 3.0

1. I am looking at an SS prop for durability- I chew up the edges of my existing 3 aluminum props- I usually repair 2-3 props each summer..

Ayuh,.... So you'd rather Replace 2 or 3 Outdrives a year,..??
If you're dredging the bottom, going SSteel will only move the Damage further Up the driveline....

Learn to boat in water that's Deep enough 1st....

 

[Dave LeSueur]

Re: Prop for Searay 180BR with Alpha 1 3.0

Thanks for your input. The SS props I have been looking at (Stilletto and Solas) have a replaceable rubber and plastic hub assembly that I have been told will spin in order to protect the outdrive gears in the event of a hard strike. Am I being misinformed? What beats up my prop are the local lakes with sand and gravel bottoms. I try to avoid shallow water, but it is not always possible.

 

[nrechtman]

Re: Prop for Searay 180BR with Alpha 1 3.0

I have a 1999 Searay 180BR, it has a 3.0 liter 125 HP Mercruiser engine with an Alpha One Sterndrive, the stock prop is a 14.25x21 Aluminum Black Max 3 blade prop, top rpm is 4800, what prop would you recommend I change to to help getting skiers up and out of the water, the current prop isn't cutting it.


Here is the info off the Searay engine/drive/prop matrix

1999 180BR
3.0L Merc (135 PHP)
Alpha
2.00:1
14.25 x 21 AL Black Max
944868
4800

 

[steelespike]

Re: Prop for Searay 180BR with Alpha 1 3.0

Welcome,
You shouldn't dredge up old threads.There is a big red tab at the top of the forum for starting a new thread.
I think a Solas 20" 4 blade prop will be a big help.You may have to watch the rpm.
You will find the boat will stay on plane better at reduced throttle,handle better around the dock and get a skier up easier.
You may lose a little top end.