I have a 1991 Mariner 115. Its a 2-Stroke. Runs awesome, we have owned it since new. Only thing i would change is the stupid 2-4 cyclinder thing, but my understanding is its the 2 lower carbs that "cause" that and seems expensive to replace those with upper carbs... Anyways, the motor is on a 1992 Procraft 180 Combo. NADA guides lists the boat at 1720lbs, so add fuel (20 gal @ 8lbs/gallon) 160lbs, plus 4 adults (150lbs avg) 600 lbs, that puts us at 2480lbs, on the low end, not counting extra gear if my math is right and specs are correct. Anyway, we mostly do watersports with it. It has an aluminum 19 pitch prop, not sure on the diameter (either 13 or 14 if i had to guess). It wont hold plane even with just me in it at anything under about 22-24. Now i have an Airguide competition ski speedo on it which is dead accurate to my GPS. Since i do a lot of wakeboarding and pulling tubers at 18-19 mph, my wife has to constantly play with the throttle, which eats gas and makes for a lousy ride. Currently the boat will do around 55 with just me on glass trimmed out, but that means nothing to me, i rarely have a need to do over 40. I am planning on doing smart tabs this fall, which should help with plane times and slower speed and handling, but....
Here are my questions:
1. I want to change for a prop with more low end speed control/handling/hole shot, any advice? Still want to do 40-45, but low end is key, looking for that ski boat pop (obviously impossible, but as close as i can) Thinking maybe a 17 in? Im dumb on props, sorry.
2. 3 or 4 blade prop better?
3. How much prop slip can I expect from this engine/prop set up? need that for every calcuator i have seen.
6. Also is the High Five prop any better than a 4 blade?
Extra info. Gear ratio is 2.06:1 and max RPM is around 5200, i currently can hit around 5050-5100
Sorry for lengthy post, but I'm kind of thourough and meticulous.
Thanks in advance! and pics for fun to come.
Here are my questions:
1. I want to change for a prop with more low end speed control/handling/hole shot, any advice? Still want to do 40-45, but low end is key, looking for that ski boat pop (obviously impossible, but as close as i can) Thinking maybe a 17 in? Im dumb on props, sorry.
2. 3 or 4 blade prop better?
3. How much prop slip can I expect from this engine/prop set up? need that for every calcuator i have seen.
6. Also is the High Five prop any better than a 4 blade?
Extra info. Gear ratio is 2.06:1 and max RPM is around 5200, i currently can hit around 5050-5100
Sorry for lengthy post, but I'm kind of thourough and meticulous.
Thanks in advance! and pics for fun to come.