[SamammishNow]

OK great I just bashed up my first prop and am trying to select a new prop. I've got a 2005 185 Sport with the 190 hp 4.3 L engine. I normally have three people in the boat, roughly 500 lb total. I do everything from touring to pulling skiers up to 200 lb. Someone has mentioned I should replace the 14 x 23P standard prop with a 21P. Anyone have any great prop experiences they wish to share?

[nlain]

I have the same boat, 2004 vintage, the best thing I have done is to put Smart Tabs on mine. I did change the prop after the tabs and got a 14X23 Turning Point prop, I had to Exchange it for a 14X21 to get top speed and wot back. The TP prop is a very aggressive prop and the 4.3L 190 Alpha does not have quite enough power to turn the 23 pitch. My boat with the stock prop will turn just over 5000 rpm, now with the 21P TP prop I am back to the same wot. That is the extent of my prop experience. If you get a 21P prop of the same design as the stock prop you are going to raise the rpm 200 to 400 rpm so you will have to watch the wot so you don't lose and engine from over reving.
When I put the Smart Tabs on my boat I then started using about half throttle to get on plane, got rid of most of the bow rise as in never lose sight of the water in front, run faster, use less gas, low speed wander is gone, handles rough water much better. If you go up in the other forums to Boat Topics and Questions (not engine topics) and Prop Questions and Topics
Do a search on Smart Tabs and you will find a lot of information on them.
The site for Smart Tabs Manufacturer is http://www.nauticusinc.com/ and the phone number is 800-233-0194, You will find the owner posting here and he "John" may even be the one to answer the phone, he posts under jdeargro. I have no interest in Smart Tabs other than being a satisfied owner. You would need the ST1290-60 set and mount the tab bracket in the rear set of holes for a better install. Hope this is of some help.

You should also post this up in the Prop Questions forum.

[jkust]

Hi what were your WOT rpm's and top speed with the 23 pitch? Do you know your gear ratio? I have the Merc 190 4.3 in my 03 Chap with the oem 21 pitch alum. Obviously the prop is pretty basic being alum and oem but pitch wise it seems to fit the bill for all around use with a similar load. Only thing is that I easily overrev the motor so I was thinking of making a change as well plus I have been eyeing stainless for a while. My dry weight is 300lbs more and hold more fuel which I usually keep pretty full so you should have an advantage on your selection. My boat is rated to 270hp so really a 190 is already disadvantaged. Interesting nlain says the 23 pitch is too much prop for the 4.3. I always thought that as well but then what do you do with the extra 300 rpm's over the wot limit with a 21? I have seen some boat tests testing with the 23p even ss on carbed 4.3's which always confused me. I think Stingray was one. Anyway take a look at 180shabah's posts. He has the same motor and highly recommends one particular brand of SS prop. I don't recall the name, but when I am ready to upgrade I plan to read his posts since I believe what he says.

[nlain]

Only the 23P Turning Point prop is too much due to the aggressive cupping, the stock Merc 14X23 will turn 51 to 5200 rpm with just me and just the basics like anchors. The Turning Point 21P brings me back to the same wot rpm range as the stock prop. The 14X23 stock prop was fine on my boat I just wanted a little more speed so I went for the 14X23 Turning Point and lost wot rpm and speed, I did gain speed at cruise. Just to clarify my statement.