Glastron gt 185 3.0 Need better prop

[Clayton993]

Hello,

I've got a 09 glastron gt 185 with the 3.0l Volvo engine. I'm pretty disappointed in the power..I cannot get a skier up and its slightly sluggish pulling double tubes. The current prop is original and is 14.3 x 21. I usually have me as the driver, a passenger and 2 people on tubes and half tank of gas. What prop can I buy that will give me more whole shot and better pulling power?

Currently the boat will run about 40-42 mph with me and 1 passenger at 4200 rpms. I don't mind losing top end speed because we do watersports the majority of time.

Also, I don't care if its 3 or 4 blade as long as it's better then my current prop. I would like to stay away from SS props for now due to the price.

Thanks for the help

 

[fishrdan]

The current prop is original and is 14.3 x 21.

Currently the boat will run about 40-42 mph with me and 1 passenger at 4200 rpms.

I assume the current prop is aluminum? Also, is that the WOT RPM (wide open throttle)? If so, the boat is over propped and needs a lower pitch prop. What is the Volvo's recommended WOT RPM for your 3.0L, 4600-4800RPM? A 4 blade prop will help with hole shot and water sports and pitch selection will depend on what the actual WOT RPM is.

Rule of thumb is 200RPM/1" of pitch, so a 18 pitch 4 blade aluminum prop should get you close to 4800 RPM (if that's Volvo's recommended WOT RPM).

 

[Clayton993]

Thanks for the reply. From the research I've been doing, an 18 pitch 4 blade sounds good. If I wanted to stay with a 3 blade, would a 19 pitch be comparable to the 18 4 blade?

 

[steelespike]

Rpm wise but the 4 blade should deliver stronger hole shot for water sports.
The 4 should stay on plane easier at reduced throttle. May respond better around the dock.

 

[fishrdan]

Yes, a 19P 3 blade should turn around the same RPM as a 18P 4 blade. 3 blade for top end speed and 4 blade for hole shot and water sports as SS mentioned. From what you are describing, the 4 blade would be a better fit.

While I think an 18P 4 blade should do the trick, I wouldn't rule out a 17p 4-blade,,, if it's going to get the engine to the top end of it's WOT RPM range. Though, I wouldn't go to the 17P without getting better numbers; WOT RPM, speed by GPS, load.

 

[Stingray185GXi]

I'm pretty confident that the WOT range for that engine is 4200-4600 RPM, not 4600-4800. Given this, I think that a 18 or 19 inch pitch 4 blade should work well, a 17 inch pitch would provide even better holeshot and acceleration, but you would have to be careful not to over rev the engine as it could probably turn more than 4600RPM with a 17 inch pitch prop.

 

[Clayton993]

Thanks for the help guys..I think I will go with a 4 blade 18 pitch. I'm not sure which brand to buy though, iboats only has 2 to pick from in that pitch for my boat.

This quicksilver diamond 4:

http://boatpropellers.iboats.com/Vo...A2184X_Propeller/532/13132/?cart_id=269258030

Or this Michigan Vortex:

http://boatpropellers.iboats.com/Vo..._992203_Propeller/532/1682/?cart_id=269258030

What would you recommend? Would iboats allow you to send me a link for something else you'd recommend from somewhere else?

 

[fishrdan]

I'm pretty confident that the WOT range for that engine is 4200-4600 RPM

Good info! And with that I wouldn't even consider the 17P, 18P should be spot on thought.

I have an Aplha4 18P (same as the Diamond 4 but with gloss paint) and really like it. I use it for watersports and it pops the boat up on plane quick, 3-4 seconds, much better than the old 3 blade Michigan prop. Of course, our boats are different and your results may be different...

I have both Quicksilver(Mercruiser) and Michigan Wheel props and the Michigan props are lower quality, a budget prop. I've banged the Alph4 4 on rocks and cringed that I fubarred the prop, (from prior experience with damaging Michigan props) but only put a slight nick into the edge that wasn't noticeable while running. The alloy used in the Quicksilver props seems more rigid/stiff than the softer/more pliable Michigan alloy.

 

[Stingray185GXi]

I agree that the Quicksilver Diamond 4 is a better prop than the Michigan Wheel. As was previously said, Quicksilver props are nearly identical to Mercury props with the exception of paint/finishing.

 

[Clayton993]

Awesome, you guys rock. I will order it tonight along with the hub kit I'll need. Thanks again!