Mercruiser 3.0 prop pitch

DiXiEhUsTlEr188

Recruit
Joined
Jul 31, 2013
Messages
2
I have a 1986 dixie hustler 18' 8" long with a mercruser 3.0 in it. It tops out a 38 on speedo at 4800 rpms with a bent and dinged up 14.5 19 pitch prop. I'm I'm going to use the boat for mostly wakeboarding and want to get more punch out of the water. What prop would be best for me and is there any thing I can do to get more power out of the 3.0
 

fishrdan

Admiral
Joined
Jan 25, 2008
Messages
6,989
Re: Mercruiser 3.0 prop pitch

There's not much of anything you can do to a 3.0 to get more power out of it as it's all ready a bored and stroked GM 153 4cyl. The best you can do is to make sure it's in good tune, but if you are turning 4800 RPM WOT, it sounds like the engine is doing fine.

A 18P 4 blade prop will give you better hole shot, while trimming a few MPH off the top end. Dropping an inch of pitch when going to a 4 blade prop will (hopefully) keep you engine at 4800 RPM WOT, where it should be for best performance. I'm running a 14.5x18P 4 blade on my 18er with a Mercruiser 140HP (older 3.0) which works well, planes the boat quickly.
 
Last edited:

steelespike

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Apr 26, 2002
Messages
19,069
Re: Mercruiser 3.0 prop pitch

For a dinged up prop your numbers a really good at about 12% slip.I'd like to see the gps speed.
Be sure to trim down for hole shot ,move some people/weight forward .
The prop change is a good way to go and can be very effective.
You could also consider trim tabs either active or passive.Properly installed tabs can improve hole shot
with little loss of top speed.
 

DiXiEhUsTlEr188

Recruit
Joined
Jul 31, 2013
Messages
2
Re: Mercruiser 3.0 prop pitch

so i got a new 3 blade 15inch 17pitch prop. i got the bottom end i was looking for and i didnt lose any top speed but now my wot is at 5600 rpms.
 

dazk14

Ensign
Joined
Jul 22, 2008
Messages
966
Re: Mercruiser 3.0 prop pitch

Sounds like an 18" pitch 4 blade is as far as you can push it. Probably lose a couple mph on top, but improve the areas you requested.
 

steelespike

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Apr 26, 2002
Messages
19,069
Re: Mercruiser 3.0 prop pitch

What was your speed at 5600? Rpm doesn't mean much without the gps speed to go with it.
Seems like the motor would sound like it was going to come apart at 5600.
 
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