Prop woes... 3 or 4 blade, need answer quick...

[Dante04SRT]

Here's my awesome luck.

I've got a 3.0 Alpha One Merc and have been trying to get a little more "out of the hole" to get a skier up. I started out with a 19P prop and have been trying to get to a 17P.

My first 17P was sold as a Merc but turned out to be an OMC. The next, arrived today was in fact a Merc 14.5x17P... THE FIRST TIME OUT its ruined! Someone has dropped something in the water by the boat ramp because the prop hit the same thing TWICE. (The same ramp I've used 10000x times before!).

So here I am now still needing a new prop. I am looking at some 3blade and 4blade props. I am specifically looking for the best prop to get a skier up, so the hole shot is the most important. Top speed is not critical. I will stick with a 17P but which is better? I've heard SSteel is better than aluminum, but is it really noticable? Would a 4blade be better than a 3?

 

[erlindbl]

Re: Prop woes... 3 or 4 blade, need answer quick...

Your going to get more of a pull with the four blade rather than the three. It's no surprise to me you were having trouble with the 19P with that engine. I would go with the stainless, but you don't want to be hitting bottom with those......

 

[codertimt]

Re: Prop woes... 3 or 4 blade, need answer quick...

I can't really help in the AL v. SS question. That SS should outperform an AL prop is a commonly known "fact", but I've never seen a 1-1 comparison of the same prop design in both materials... That being said SS might have survived a low rpm prop strike better than the AL....or it could have simply transfered the impact of the strike to your lower unit and trashed that instead. Okay, now that I've trivialized the main argument for and against SS prop, I'll move on to the rest of you question...

So was your new prop totally destroyed? A prop shop still might be able to salvage it for cheaper than purchasing another...

If you do get another prop and focus is pulling up a skier, I say get a four blade by all means. I just replaced my 23" 3 blade mercruiser prop with a 21" Solas Amita 4 blade with great holeshot results...

 

[Tail_Gunner]

Re: Prop woes... 3 or 4 blade, need answer quick...

http://boatpropellers.iboats.com/Me...r=1987&**********=331250001&*******=031666073


http://www.iboats.com/Propeller_Acc...--view_id.247004--viewcart.long--qty_101939.0

The end.....

 

[stevens]

Re: Prop woes... 3 or 4 blade, need answer quick...

"The end" - almost....

In the shopping basket link above you've included a Merc Castle Washer. You won't need this as the appropriate castle washer is already included with the Rubex hub-kit. See this picture: hubkit-pic.

You will, however, need the thrust washer and the prop nut, if you don't have these already (the original Merc. ones will fit).

 

[xxxflhrci]

Re: Prop woes... 3 or 4 blade, need answer quick...

IMO, stainless is worth every penny when it comes to durability.

I have a 3.0 and use a Mercury Silverado 3 blade 19P. I have no problems getting up 200+ pounders on skis with 2-3 people in the boat. Still, I consider my choice of prop to be a "good all around prop". If I were wanting a prop just for pull, I'd try the same one in a 17P.

 

[Tail_Gunner]

Re: Prop woes... 3 or 4 blade, need answer quick...

"The end" - almost....

In the shopping basket link above you've included a Merc Castle Washer. You won't need this as the appropriate castle washer is already included with the Rubex hub-kit. See this picture: hubkit-pic.

You will, however, need the thrust washer and the prop nut, if you don't have these already (the original Merc. ones will fit).

Solas Rubex 4 - Aluminum 4 Blade - 14.5 Dia. 17 Pitch - SR9513-145-17 96.99 96.99 Solas RBX-102 - High Performance Rubber HubRBX-102 32.99 32.99 Subtotal:$129.98Calculate Shipping & Delivery:?Total:$129.98


Umm .........................