5-blade stainless steel prop on 16' 3.0 merc

[itstimz]

16' Wellcraft type boat
1988 3.0 mercuiser
alpha 1 outdrive


Got this project boat basically for free and it came with a 5 blade 21 pitch prop. My use for this boat will be for fishing and my main concern will be gas milege. I'm thinkin' this is not the right prop for me...am I right?

 

[Don S]

Re: 5-blade stainless steel prop on 16' 3.0 merc

Moving to Prop Questions and Topics forum

 

[dcg9381]

Re: 5-blade stainless steel prop on 16' 3.0 merc

16' Wellcraft type boat
1988 3.0 mercuiser
alpha 1 outdrive


Got this project boat basically for free and it came with a 5 blade 21 pitch prop. My use for this boat will be for fishing and my main concern will be gas milege. I'm thinkin' this is not the right prop for me...am I right?

I don't know much about 5 blade props, but you need to post up the diameter and exact model.

It's best to give real world data - like RPM/MPH at full throttle.

 

[itstimz]

Re: 5-blade stainless steel prop on 16' 3.0 merc

This is all the info I have to date:

Boat:

16' v-hull ski boat
eng-3.0 mercruiser (I haven't had it in the water yet so no RPM/MPH info)
alpha 1 outdrive-1.98-1 ratio

Prop:

5-blade stainless steel
no mfg name anywhere on prop
info inside hub 48-815760-21
13" diameter
patent # 4802822

When I looked up the patent it said the patent was held by Brunswick. I'm thinking that a 5 blade would be good for pulling a skier out of the hole but would sacrifice overall MPH and MPG.

Tim

 

[steelespike]

Re: 5-blade stainless steel prop on 16' 3.0 merc

In my opinion yes the 5 blade is overkill.Usually you see 5 blade on on slow turning work boats heavy boats difficult to plane,displacement hulls you also see them in extreme speed applications i/os putting out 4 digit horsepower.
Without any performance figures the safest would be to try a 3 blade 21
pitch stainless prop.Would be good to try to find a dealer to let you try a number of props.some will if you intend to buy.If you can get us max rpm and speed figures plus typical load and activities would simplify things.

 

[walleyehed]

Re: 5-blade stainless steel prop on 16' 3.0 merc

That's a std 21P high-5 by Merc..
I'd try it out and get some numbers before buying anything else. This would give us some base-line info. Other-wise, it's a shot in the dark.

 

[itstimz]

Re: 5-blade stainless steel prop on 16' 3.0 merc

Thanks guys...I will repost when I get it in the water and get some numbers.