replacment prop merc 4.3-old prop dinged/chewed up

[andy9743]

1992 GW invader bravo 19 foot 4.3 alpha one carbed merc in/out bow rider boat capacity 8 people, boat weight 2250 dry
first off this is all brand new to me, i've been reading attemping to gain as much knowledge as possible. boat was just tuned up, engine is running excellent. i just purchased the boat (saturday). in the several rides we went out with 3 people in the boat it ran great 48 mph (on the speedo) not sure on the rpm (i will check rpm this weekend). boat popped right out of the water and planed quickly. i dont have alot of boat experiance where i paid attention to these types of things but it seemed ok. the prop that is on the boat is a michigan wheel 031025 14x19 which is a michigan match prop...whatever that means. its pretty beat up, by that i mean its dinged the blades look like some one took an angle grinder to them. i think it's time to replace. i'm going to use the boat as a general "fun boat" cruiseing, tubing i'd like to attempt to ski/wakeboard kneeboard i'd like it to be able to do it all, understanding the i may sacrafice a few mph on top to have a good all around prop to do everything i want it to do...i do not want anything that could possibly over rev the boat. reserching the current prop lead me here:
http://boatpropellers.iboats.com/Me...lers/765/?rotation=Standard&*******=185250102

does this look correct? what is my best choice? what will the different diameters change? seems to be a big swing in price from the solas to the MI wheels props. i dont see myself swapping props to cruise, then if i'm doing watersports etc. i will send the current prop in to be resurfaced.


1) Performance issue you are trying to correct. none current prop is beat up
2) Current prop manufacturer, model, aluminum or stainless as a minimum. AL 3 blade MI wheel 031025 14x19
3) Current prop diameter and pitch (required). 14x19
4) Wide open throttle RPM and speed with an average load (very helpful) not sure on RPM (will report back) 48 mph with 3 people on speedo
5) Engine/drive make, model, year, and HP 4.3 merc alpha one, merc drive? not sure on hp the engine is tock low hours
6) Boat make model, year, length and weight gw invader bravo 180es, 1992, 19 ft, 2250 lbs


suggestions?


thanks so much for taking the time to read!

andy

 

[Robbabob]

Re: replacment prop merc 4.3-old prop dinged/chewed up

Hi and welcome to iboats.

First thing.. get those max rpm readings at WOT and we'll see about what you might want to change and why.

Good luck!

 

[andy9743]

Re: replacment prop merc 4.3-old prop dinged/chewed up

Hi and welcome to iboats.

First thing.. get those max rpm readings at WOT and we'll see about what you might want to change and why.

Good luck!

thanks for the fast repsonse. i'm thinking that the current pitch will be fine i'm guessing that with all 3 blades in new condition it will perform better then current (the old prop is really ugly) i'll get RPM asap and report back.

 

[Bondo]

Re: replacment prop merc 4.3-old prop dinged/chewed up

i'm thinking that the current pitch will be fine i'm guessing that with all 3 blades in new condition it will perform better then current

Ayuh,... I think yer probably Right...

Proverbially, the Prop is where the rubber meets the road...

A Million Horsepower will get ya Nowhere, with a Beat Prop...

 

[andy9743]

Re: replacment prop merc 4.3-old prop dinged/chewed up

bringing this back form the dead...ran the dinged up prop all year but would like to swap out for next year. i have a stock pitch mi wheel 14x19 3 blade prop that i scored off craigslist for $50 but i'm thinking at i may want some additional out of the hole performance. we use the boat on a 600 acre inland lake for watersports, the out of the hole jump is what i want. the boat preformed ok this year but if i can repitch so it pops out of the water faster i would be happier. its no where near (and i imagine it never will be) at the performance of my jet boat (as far as out of the hole jump) i sold the jetboat to buy the bowrider.

the required vitals that need to be answered:

1) Performance issue you are trying to correct. i would like the boat to come out of the hole harder
2) Current prop manufacturer, model, aluminum or stainless as a minimum. AL 3 blade MI wheel 031025 14x19
3) Current prop diameter and pitch (required). 14x19
4) Wide open throttle RPM and speed with an average load (very helpful) 4800 trimmed all the way down 4850 with trim up 2 people on board. average load i'd say is 3 people on board pulling inflatable, skier, kneeboarder etc.
5) Engine/drive make, model, year, and HP 4.3 merc alpha one, merc drive? not sure on hp the engine is stock low hours
6) Boat make model, year, length and weight gw invader bravo 180es, 1992, 19 ft, 2250 lbs

any suggestions on a direction to go?

thanks!

 

[Struc]

Re: replacment prop merc 4.3-old prop dinged/chewed up

any suggestions on a direction to go?

Looks like your prop is about perfect. If you want to jump out of the water quicker, I'd suggest looking at some trim tabs. You can get them pretty reasonably right here on iBoats.

http://www.iboats.com/SX-Smart-Tabs...4250686--**********.289289777--view_id.352488

 

[r.j.dawg]

Re: replacment prop merc 4.3-old prop dinged/chewed up

Why not let Mercruiser do the selecting for you.

http://www.mercurymarine.com/propellers/prop-selector/

 

[90stingray]

Re: replacment prop merc 4.3-old prop dinged/chewed up

Hard to gauge actual rpm with a damaged prop. But chances are once you get a fullsized new prop, she will bog down in rpm a bit due to more bite. If you are looking for holeshot... look at 4 blade 18p or if you have the cash... go 5 blade stainless!

 

[Tail_Gunner]

Re: replacment prop merc 4.3-old prop dinged/chewed up

bringing this back form the dead...ran the dinged up prop all year but would like to swap out for next year. i have a stock pitch mi wheel 14x19 3 blade prop that i scored off craigslist for $50 but i'm thinking at i may want some additional out of the hole performance. we use the boat on a 600 acre inland lake for watersports, the out of the hole jump is what i want. the boat preformed ok this year but if i can repitch so it pops out of the water faster i would be happier. its no where near (and i imagine it never will be) at the performance of my jet boat (as far as out of the hole jump) i sold the jetboat to buy the bowrider.

the required vitals that need to be answered:

1) Performance issue you are trying to correct. i would like the boat to come out of the hole harder
2) Current prop manufacturer, model, aluminum or stainless as a minimum. AL 3 blade MI wheel 031025 14x19
3) Current prop diameter and pitch (required). 14x19
4) Wide open throttle RPM and speed with an average load (very helpful) 4800 trimmed all the way down 4850 with trim up 2 people on board. average load i'd say is 3 people on board pulling inflatable, skier, kneeboarder etc.
5) Engine/drive make, model, year, and HP 4.3 merc alpha one, merc drive? not sure on hp the engine is stock low hours
6) Boat make model, year, length and weight gw invader bravo 180es, 1992, 19 ft, 2250 lbs

any suggestions on a direction to go?

thanks!

600 acre lake???? 17p four blade solas.....alum about 100 and the boat will tear your arms out ...lose maybe 5 mph top end

 

[andy9743]

Re: replacment prop merc 4.3-old prop dinged/chewed up

600 acre lake???? 17p four blade solas.....alum about 100 and the boat will tear your arms out ...lose maybe 5 mph top end

correct its a 600 acre lake...we use the boat for watersports only.

 

[Struc]

Re: replacment prop merc 4.3-old prop dinged/chewed up

600 acre lake???? 17p four blade solas.....alum about 100 and the boat will tear your arms out ...lose maybe 5 mph top end

He's already at the top end of the RPM range for his engine - even jumping to a 4 blade, this may be too much of a jump. If you would decide to go with a 17p, make sure to watch your WOT RPM while using it. If possible, borrow one before you buy one. Some places will let you do that.

 

[andy9743]

Re: replacment prop merc 4.3-old prop dinged/chewed up

He's already at the top end of the RPM range for his engine - even jumping to a 4 blade, this may be too much of a jump. If you would decide to go with a 17p, make sure to watch your WOT RPM while using it. If possible, borrow one before you buy one. Some places will let you do that.

i defninately do not want to over rev the engine and damage anything...i want the set up to be as idiot proof as possible (other family members do drive the boat) i already have a new stock pitch i guess i can throw that on and pick up some trim tabs. they seem to get some pretty positive reviews. i dont see how they can make that much of a difference but worth a try for $100 i guess.

 

[Struc]

Re: replacment prop merc 4.3-old prop dinged/chewed up

pick up some trim tabs. they seem to get some pretty positive reviews. i dont see how they can make that much of a difference but worth a try for $100 i guess.

Think of them as you would a rudder on a sailboat. It is VERY small compared to the overall size of the boat, but does the job. Same concept, but just keeping the bow down, and lifting the rear, thus getting you on a plane faster, and at a lower speed.

 

[joewithaboat]

Re: replacment prop merc 4.3-old prop dinged/chewed up

I have a similar size and weight boat with a 4.3, alpha1 gen 2. I run a 3 blade, 19, SS, mercury mirage prop.

Trimmed up a little it hits 4,800, right at 50 pretty perfect top end. Was a dog out of the hole! Way too much bow rise. I put nauticus sx trim tabs (cheap) on and now have the best of both worlds. They are great! Took out all of the bow rise, planes 3 times as fast, stays on plane at much lower speeds, great for tubing and skiing. Didn't take any off of top end. If I tinkered with them a bit,which i have not, i could prob gain a little top end.

With the hard to predict shallow bottom lakes here in Texas I would never run a alum prop, even the mud bottom tears them up a little at a time. If you boat in a stump or rock prone area you might stick with alum as to not break the drive.
Good luck!

 

[steelespike]

Re: replacment prop merc 4.3-old prop dinged/chewed up

If they are smart tabs they have been very helpfull to geyt them setup right.
including exchanges if thje model doesn't seem right.
In my opinion the adjustment should be so just enough to help.
Too much and the boat will lay down flat and run slow and handle strangely.

 

[andy9743]

Re: replacment prop merc 4.3-old prop dinged/chewed up

thanks for the suggestions guys..i'm going to order some smart tabs and put a new stock prop back on and see where i'm at.

thanks again!!
andy

 

[Tail_Gunner]

Re: replacment prop merc 4.3-old prop dinged/chewed up

Hello again...I am a very big fan of tabs but you will experience less of a wake which is bad for wakeboarding yet desired in sking...Ohh some say bad for tubing you cant bounce the tuber off the wake...there is very little wake

 

[joewithaboat]

Re: replacment prop merc 4.3-old prop dinged/chewed up

Hello again...I am a very big fan of tabs but you will experience less of a wake which is bad for wakeboarding yet desired in sking...Ohh some say bad for tubing you cant bounce the tuber off the wake...there is very little wake

Tube in a big circle... plenty of bounce! The best tubing is outside the wake anyway.

It changed my wake, but it is defiantly still there. I'm sure all hulls are different.