I am considering a 4 blade SS prop. The boat is an 06 Sea Ray 185 Sport with the 3.0L. Drive is the Alpha One Gen II w/2.00 gear ratio. The boat is used for cruising, spirited full throttle runs across the lake, and a tiny bit of tubing.
It came with an aluminum Mercury Black Max, 14-1/2" x 19P, 3 blade prop. This allowed for a WOT RPM of 4800 and a top speed of 38MPH via GPS. Conditions weren't ideal for a top speed test, pretty choppy, so maybe I could've squeezed another 1-2MPH out of it. 2 adults plus me on board. About a half tank of fuel. 2 small-medium sized coolers.
I then borrowed a friend's SS Quicksilver Laser II, 13-1/4" x 20P, to test. This felt to have a slower hole shot and seemed to take longer to get on plane. WOT RPM was also 4800 and top speed reached was also 38MPH. Conditions this time were smooth waters, so I believe this was all she had. Only me on board. About 4 gallons less fuel. 1 small cooler.
Considering the boat was significantly lighter during the SS prop test, I am somewhat baffeled by the results. I'd guestimate it was roughly a 375-400lb difference.
Aside from the usual desires of wanting to improve hole shot and top speed, the boat wanders drastically at low speed. This is what brings me to wanting to try a 4 blade prop, as I'm reading they help somewhat. I should add that I will also be adding Nauticus Smart Tabs somewhat soon.
With the above, what diameter and pitch 4 blade prop should I be looking at? Would it be beneficial/worth it to also go SS? Am I even on the right track?
It came with an aluminum Mercury Black Max, 14-1/2" x 19P, 3 blade prop. This allowed for a WOT RPM of 4800 and a top speed of 38MPH via GPS. Conditions weren't ideal for a top speed test, pretty choppy, so maybe I could've squeezed another 1-2MPH out of it. 2 adults plus me on board. About a half tank of fuel. 2 small-medium sized coolers.
I then borrowed a friend's SS Quicksilver Laser II, 13-1/4" x 20P, to test. This felt to have a slower hole shot and seemed to take longer to get on plane. WOT RPM was also 4800 and top speed reached was also 38MPH. Conditions this time were smooth waters, so I believe this was all she had. Only me on board. About 4 gallons less fuel. 1 small cooler.
Considering the boat was significantly lighter during the SS prop test, I am somewhat baffeled by the results. I'd guestimate it was roughly a 375-400lb difference.
Aside from the usual desires of wanting to improve hole shot and top speed, the boat wanders drastically at low speed. This is what brings me to wanting to try a 4 blade prop, as I'm reading they help somewhat. I should add that I will also be adding Nauticus Smart Tabs somewhat soon.
With the above, what diameter and pitch 4 blade prop should I be looking at? Would it be beneficial/worth it to also go SS? Am I even on the right track?