Will this prop work?

[east514]

I have a 2001 Chapparal with a 3.0 Mercruiser AlphaOne engine. Currently I have a 3 blade 19x14.5 aluminum prop. My cousin stumbled upon two 4 blade props for free. A stainless 14 1/8 x 19 4 blade and a 14.5x17 4 blade aluminum prop. Will either of these work for me and will I notice any difference?

 

[Georgesalmon]

Re: Will this prop work?

If they are free just get them try them out

 

[Starcraft5834]

Re: Will this prop work?

as long as they are made to fit your drive...will work.... not knowing what your performance numbers are now with your current prop,,,, the 4 blade will jump you on plane faster, your top speed will likely go down a little.. I would think most people if they comparred 3 and 4 blade props, 4 blade would be preferred, (generally).... my opinion

 

[sweet addiction]

Re: Will this prop work?

What size boat do you have? What are you looking to accomplish with a new prop, top end or hole shot? What is your current WOT rpm?

 

[east514]

Re: Will this prop work?

We do a lot of cruising, wake boarding, skiing, tubing, etc. My current prop does ok but I wouldn't mind having more jump out of the hole and fuel efficiency. Speed isn't an issue with me but right now I'm about 40-45 at 5000 rpm depending on water conditions. I have a 180 sse Chapparal

 

[Starcraft5834]

Re: Will this prop work?

outboard on that or sterndrive?

 

[sweet addiction]

Re: Will this prop work?

outboard on that or sterndrive?

I am pretty sure that a "3.0 Mercruiser AlphaOne engine" is a stern drive.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: Will this prop work?

We do a lot of cruising, wake boarding, skiing, tubing, etc. My current prop does ok but I wouldn't mind having more jump out of the hole and fuel efficiency. Speed isn't an issue with me but right now I'm about 40-45 at 5000 rpm depending on water conditions. I have a 180 sse Chapparal

with the 3.0, the best I know of is a 15 or 17 pitch for water sports to get the hole shot and a 19 pitch for cruising.

fuel efficiency and boating are two mutually exclusive issues.

 

[Starcraft5834]

Re: Will this prop work?

Re: Will this prop work?








Originally Posted by ImperialVC200

outboard on that or sterndrive?
I am pretty sure that a "3.0 Mercruiser AlphaOne engine" is a stern drive.


LOL forgot he said that... he said 5000 RMP,, that's high for sterndrive engines, Mercruisers are (suppose to be) 4600-4800 rpms,, if he's running 5000 on mercrusier likely his prop is to small,

 

[sweet addiction]

Re: Will this prop work?

We do a lot of cruising, wake boarding, skiing, tubing, etc. My current prop does ok but I wouldn't mind having more jump out of the hole and fuel efficiency. Speed isn't an issue with me but right now I'm about 40-45 at 5000 rpm depending on water conditions. I have a 180 sse Chapparal

Well the recommended RPM range for that motor is 4400-4800. So you are over-revving that motor. You need to go up in dia. and/or pitch.
Without getting into too much technical data...I would recommend a 14 1/4 X 21 3 blade stainless or a 14(ish) X 19 four blade stainless. The 14 1/8 X 19 stainless you could get for free might be just what you are looking for. Just make sure it is for an Alpha I Gen II drive. 14 3/4 gear case, 15 tooth spline.

 

[steelespike]

Re: Will this prop work?

Props are free you might as well try the 19" pitch. It could knock a couple of hundred rpm off putting you at 4800.
The 4 blade will stay on plane easier at reduced throttle,Hole shot will be stronger,may feel smoother and respond better around the dock.Top speed will be reduced a little.