Prop Recomendations

[jleinewe]

I am unsure of the pitch of my factory Prop...I have a 2002 Bayliner 175 Merc 3.0/alpha I. I want to get a better hole shot for towing, but I don't want to lose too much off of the top end. Merc suggests a 13.5/21p high-five...any comments on the matter?

 

[QC]

Re: Prop Recomendations

Well, you're gonna need to come up with two things for this to be a meaningful excercise. You've got to know what pitch you have now, and you need to know what your wide open throttle (WOT) RPM is. This latter thing needs to be with the boat trimmed out and loaded like you would normally run the boat. Without this info there just isn't any reference points to work with.<br /><br />Take a look at the Eninge FAQ section. There is a thread on prop selection and one on WOT. They're a good read and will help you a lot.

 

[jleinewe]

Re: Prop Recomendations

my WOT is arround 4400 RPM...I have been digging for the pitch and I am hoping someone just happens to know what bayliner / merc put on that model. I will keep looking for the pitch (it's a 13.5 diameter BTW)

 

[tommays]

Re: Prop Recomendations

a 5 blade is going to lose top speed with out a dought<br /><br />i run a 3.0 on a maxium 2000SC about a 19 ft boat<br /><br />with a light load i can spin a 21" 3 blade prop and go maybe 43 mph<br /><br />with a big load say 6 people and near my my weight of about 1100 pounds i need to use a 19 in prop and can go 39.5 mph<br /><br />if i want to pull a wake boarder and be able to get them up quickly and stay at a good board speed of 16 to 18 mph i use a 17 in prop which limits top speed to about 32 mph with out going over my 4800 WOT max<br /><br /><br />you only have 135 HP there is no such thing as a good towing hole shot and top speed at the same time you have to pick the most inportant or be willing to change props<br /><br /><br />tommays

 

[firstimeowner]

Re: Prop Recomendations

This information is also helpful to others. As I am a new boat owner, see post "new owner issues", I am also wondering about props and how they effect speed, hole shot etc.. At this point it seems to be the smaller dia props deliver higher top end speed at the exp of hole shot, while larger provides the opposite. <br /><br />Currently, I am using a 13-3/8-17 on my 1988 2.3 Sunbird Corsair. I will cruise nicely at 23mph, which to me is way to slow. I'm looking to increase some and know it should be able to do it (from other forums, posts etc).<br /><br />The main problem for me is the cost of props, omg the lowest I can find it $110, which is out of my budget range, Just to test and see if its better!! Anyway, I may have to breakdown and get something else, but wish to have as much knowledge as possible before throwing it out the window.<br /><br />Anyway, I hope you find the answer your looking for with yours and again, all posts help all users to some degree..<br /><br />Thanks Again

 

[QC]

Re: Prop Recomendations

Forget about diameter at this point. Pitch is what you need to concentrate on. The diameter is more of a fit thing with your outdrive, not a performance consideration as far as this selection discussion goes.

 

[ron7000]

Re: Prop Recomendations

save the money a high5 would cost and put it towards a v-6 or weber carb.<br /><br />Have a 02 Capri 1952 cuddy, 3.0L and my oem prop pitch is 21".<br />If you're sure yours is 13.5", it's probably a 23" pitch, and would make sense given we have same motor/year but your boat is smaller.<br /><br />I occassionally run a stiletto 14.25x20 4-blade stainless. Will get around 4500 vs 4900 on top end if I remember correctly. A larger diameter will always get more bite and always give a better hole shot if you have the power. Same is true the more blades you have, and both can sacrife top end speed but most of the time it's not even noticable.<br />Look into the comprop 4-blade composite propellers, available from overtons. I will be going that route shortly.<br />Michigan props also have a 14x23 3-blade, maybe try that if you can scrounge one, but 4-blade props I think are the way to go.<br /><br />Also assuming your 3.0L with mercarb is running 100%, they are notorious for poor acceleration and hesitation which is entirely because of the carb, and a prop change won't help this.

 

[arrowem]

Re: Prop Recomendations

you only have 135 HP there is no such thing as a good towing hole shot and top speed at the same time you have to pick the most inportant or be willing to change props

There actually is such a thing but how much are you willing to cry before you smile. I too "wanted it all" and went through several props before I got the Aerostar Marine Power Pitch shifting prop. Mine starts out at a 19 pitch then just into plane eases into 25 pitch. I got my bow lifting power and kept my top speed. You even have 30 days to return it if you don't like it. They are beautiful props with only a dial on the back to adjust the shift point and no parts to wear out. These people are the ones that make airplane shift propellers. BUT!......They are expensive!!!!!!! $1600.00 I am still paying for mine but I would not give it back.

 

[tommays]

Re: Prop Recomendations

it sounds nice but i would have bought the 4.3 for that kind of money<br /><br />and i boat in thin water and cant afford a full time guard to watch my prop <br /><br /><br />tommays

 

[jleinewe]

Re: Prop Recomendations

as much as a power pitch shifting prop sounds like a lot of fun...I don't think it is for me. I think I need to restate my question a little bit...Beleive it or not I am happy with my boat/motor/prop/everything...but there is always a desire for something a little better. I am willing to sacrafice the top end if we are talking 3-4 mph...what I really need is a prop that allows for great control over my speed at arround 20 mph. Right now the 3 blade is really sensitive arround that speed it's hard for me to find the right speed for wakeboarding. That is what I would like to improve. I looked into perfect pass, but that is too expensive for my budget...now who has advice other than a bigger engine or a "better" boat. Oh and yes my mercarb is running 100%...I have no pause or problem getting everything out of it. It was recently rebuilt (check my other post if you want to read that sad story).

 

[jleinewe]

Re: Prop Recomendations

Okay so I did some more digging and I am fairly certain that the factory setup on my boat (which is what it still has) is a mercury blackmax 14.25"/21" 3 blade...Hope this helps

 

[tommays]

Re: Prop Recomendations

if wakeboarding is your main goal your going to need some type of trim tab (i use a doel-fin)<br />

<br /><br />this is smart tab central but it works fine for me desipte what a lot of people say <br /><br />at wake board speed your right on the edge of falling off plane so with out trim help it will allways be hard to keep a steady speed <br /><br />i would also run the smallest prop your wiling to run it will hold a low speed plane much better because you will be in a better part of the 3.0 power band with more RPM<br /><br /><br />

<br />

<br /><br />i got a wakeboard family so i no what your looking to do <br /><br />tommays

 

[ramster]

Re: Prop Recomendations

If you want better hole shot and slower planing speed, try a four blade 20 pitch aluminum. Solas Amita is a good one, only around $125. Michigan Vortex is slightly more because you need to buy the XHS hub, unless you already have a Mercury Flo- Torque square hub which is interchangable with XHS hubs.