3.0L Prop reccomendation

[Jmunk]

I have a 1998 Sea Ray 180 bow rider with the 3.0L 130hp, Alpha I Gen II 2.00 gears. I got the boat in the fall and it came with a Mercury Vengeance 23 pitch stainless prop. Factory it came with a 21 pitch, I traded a friend the Vengeance for a stainless 21 pitch 3 blade he had. The numbers the 21 pitch I got in the trade is 48-86442-21, which if I measured correctly is a 14". This prop pulled decent and I could get about 37 mph at 4200 rpm.

I use the boat for skiing and tubing mostly and recently was given an O'brien wake board. It seemed the boat took a little too long to get me up on ski's as I weigh about 220lbs. I got a 3 blade aluminum 19 pitch 14" (#48-78120-19) from a friend to try. This prop made a noticeable difference in pulling up skiers and I lost about 4mph on the top end which is fine as 30mph is plenty fast for me.

I'm wondering if anyone has any recommendations about a prop that would give a little better pull as I am going to take a few wacks at using the wake board. I was wondering if the Solas 4 blades are good for water sports and if so what pitch and diameter to get. I would prefer to get an aluminum over stainless.

 

[Robbabob]

Re: 3.0L Prop reccomendation

Starting with a 21P SS, achieved 4200 rpm at 37 mph. Best to give us the new max rpm running wot with the 19P AL. My gut says to go with an AL 4-blade 17P (diameter less important: between 13 and 14). Will know better when you give pertinent information on the 19P.

 

[beaverliner]

Re: 3.0L Prop reccomendation

Hi There, I have a Bayliner 175 with a 3.0, similar set up as yours... I am running an aluminum 4 blade prop (I forgot the brand name now) with 2 of the blades being 17" pitch and the other 2 being 21"
I changed to that one when I retired my aluminum 3 blade 21". I had it on the water only once, but so far my experience is that it gets me a good acceleration and have not noticed any decrease in my top speed, so... so far I am happy with it

 

[Jmunk]

Re: 3.0L Prop reccomendation

Thanks for the info, it's going to be a week or so till I can get it in the water to do some runs with the 19p aluminum I have on now.

 

[steelespike]

Re: 3.0L Prop reccomendation

Never heard of a prop with 2 different pitches on the blades?Can you explain it or referemce where we might read about such a thing?Seems like the 17s would just be along for the ride?

 

[beaverliner]

Re: 3.0L Prop reccomendation

Hi Steelespike, I will post the brand and model when I get home and hopefully you'll be able to read about it on line. I am not sure if there's any science behind this or if I was scammed but I was able to water test the prop before paying for it and as I liked the way it performed I bought it... when looking at the prop in detail you can see that two opposing blades have one pitch and different shape as the other two... Intuitively I think that the 4 blades can really push water at low flow (when shooting out of the whole) while only the 21s would be pushing water when at higher speeds... but I am certainly no expert I just go by how the boat feels...

 

[beaverliner]

Re: 3.0L Prop reccomendation

Hi Steelespike. First of all let me acknowledge my own ignorance...
Now that this is out of the way, my propeller does not have two different pitches. It is a Hustler (turning point) with 2 different geometries I was told it was 2 different pitches (17 and 21) but I did not pay much attention as I was able to water test it before paying... now reading the box, I see what it really is
http://turningpointpropellers.com/?...19Tb&PW_UI_V2=INFO_Aluminum_Props&#infoAnchor
My apologies for my ignorance again. Net Net I am happy with my 4 blade 19 pitch (yes all of them are 19)
Best regards

 

[Jmunk]

Re: 3.0L Prop reccomendation

UPDATE:

I ended up with the Solas Amita, 19p, 4 blade. Boat planes a slightly faster with this over the 19p 3 blade. Seemed WOT was 4300 to 4400rpm, which is right at the max. with speed at 35mph. It does maintain plane at lower speeds and doesn't have the "v hull wander" at low speeds as bad as before. Overall good prop, good for my needs which are some water sports and cruising.