4 blade solas to high five- what can I expect to see?

[Danny 60]

Hi guys,
First time on here.
I have been on the Bayliner forum for awhile and someone suggested I post my question here.
I have an 02 195 bayliner bowrider with a 4.3 l V6 and currently run a 14 1/8 x 19 4 blade SS solas prop.
I mainly use the boat for skiing.
Although the hole shot is good, I am still searching for a quick pull, with a single slalom skier.
Some have suggested a high five SS prop.
I am from Australia and I am reluctant to just buy a prop and hope it works.
My current prop cost me $850.
Just wondering if anyone here has tried the high five or could suggest any improvement I could expect.
Currently I can hit 4700 rpmat WOT which is within the range of 4400 - 4800 rpm.
Thanks in advance for any help given.
Hopefully this hasn't been talked to death previously.:redface:

 

[steelespike]

Re: Newbie to this forum with a prop question

Re: Newbie to this forum with a prop question

It seems you presently have a very good setup.And your performance numbers seem very good.
I can't speak for the high 5 except it is very expensive.There are props with bow lift and others with stern lift usually a 4 blade has good stern lift.
Any prop change for improved hole shot is likely to push you over the rpm limit.
Of course you can throttle back to keep rpm down.
You could consider having some of the cup removed or reworked for more stern or less bow lift. May allow it to rev a little quicker but you'll have to watch the rpm.
Do you have passengers move forward for hole shot?
Is the bottom clean and smooth?Motor in excellent tune,throttle opening all the way.

 

[Danny 60]

Re: Newbie to this forum with a prop question

Re: Newbie to this forum with a prop question

Thanks.
Yes the engine is well tuned, the boat is trailered, so the bottom is clean.
I have found a quicksilver high five 19 prop on ebay in Aust for $400.
I might just buy it and see how it goes.
I guess if it doesn't perform I can sell it again.
I just like to research it thoroughly before I buy more stuff for the boat.
I have added 60 Kgs of sand under the bow seats to help keep the bow down.
This worked really well.
But, I'm always looking for a bit more pull.

 

[Danny 60]

Re: Newbie to this forum with a prop question

Re: Newbie to this forum with a prop question

Anyone else got any experience with this type of change?

 

[jkust]

Re: Newbie to this forum with a prop question

Re: Newbie to this forum with a prop question

Anyone else got any experience with this type of change?

Danny it is tricky to compare x boat to y boat because they all respond so differently to the same prop even if they have the same power. My most recent prop change results were very different compared to others with the same engine but different boat of the same LOA.

 

[BTMCB]

Re: Newbie to this forum with a prop question

Re: Newbie to this forum with a prop question

Danny,

I am by means a prop guru. But, I was asking the tech who services my boat about a "new" prop. Had an OEM 14x23 3 blade Black Max. Boat performed great - even yanking a skier. Reached the proper RPM and with light load @52mph - GPS. Was a little slower out of the hole (with a skier in tow) with a few passengers aboard. I specifically asked him about the High 5. Both he and the "guru" said that it would work but wouldn't be worth the money on a V6 (which I have). They both said that prop was for "high performance V8's". Both suggested I try a Solas 14.25 x 19 4 blade Al prop which I just slapped on. So far, it is great. Yet to try it with a full passenger load while yanking up a skier but I suspect it will do just fine. With medium load, no skier I reach about 4900RPM and 47mph - GPS. When lightly loaded, I do have to watch the RPMs closely. Again, just passing this to you FWIW since we have "sister" boats. Good luck.

 

[fossill]

Re: 4 blade solas to high five- what can I expect to see?

I put a 19 pitch Hi 5 on my boat. It's an 18ft bow rider with a 4.3L v6.
Boat lifts out of the water almost instantaneously and accelerates like crazy. You wont go wrong with this prop, but be prepared for a slight drop in top end speed.

 

[Danny 60]

Re: 4 blade solas to high five- what can I expect to see?

Thanks fossil.
What prop did you have on originally?
Did you see a big change in pulling a single slalom skier?

 

[jeffbyrd66]

Re: 4 blade solas to high five- what can I expect to see?

I have the Merc High 5 19P on my 21' Captiva with 350MPI 300hp and I get great hole shot and still have all the top end to get into the 50's. I have seen the High 5 with less pitch used on the 4.3 V6 with great results as it is a stock prop for the Rinker MTX series that uses the same engine as yours. the cheapest i have found a replacement was $485.85 at Merten Marine online.

Hope it helps !!

 

[fossill]

Re: 4 blade solas to high five- what can I expect to see?

Merc 20 pitch aluminum 4 blade and previous to that a Merc aluminum 23 pitch 3 blade.
Huge change pulling a boarder or skier most notably not having to throttle up while trying to maintain a steady speed.
The boat also pretty well leaps out of the water on acceleration.

 

[Danny 60]

Re: 4 blade solas to high five- what can I expect to see?

Thanks guys for your replies.
I have found a prop on ebay in Aust for $400
Waiting for delivery now.
I cant wait to put it on and try it.
As I said before, if it doesn't work out then I'll put it back onto ebay.
I'll let you know how it goes.

 

[jeffbyrd66]

Re: 4 blade solas to high five- what can I expect to see?

Did you get the High Five?

 

[Danny 60]

Re: 4 blade solas to high five- what can I expect to see?

Did you get the High Five?

Not yet.
There has been a problem with the supplier....but it should be arriving within the next few days.
I've also just changed out the mercury 3000 throttle control for a CH 1752 teleflex.
Everyone that has done the same reckons they are heaps smoother to operate.
So, new prop and new control, I can't wait to trial them both.
Now I have just got to find some spare time to do the trial !!
I will post back with the results.