Hello everyone. I have recently purchased a 1994 Sea Ray 180 Signature 18.5 ft Bowrider with a 5.0 V8 and Alpha I outdrive and I'm looking to swap the current SS prop out for an aluminum one. The prop I have on there now is a Mirage 3-blade SS and I can get about 45 mph at WOT 4100rpm. The reason that I'd like to go aluminum is because I'm relatively new to boating and I want to make sure that if I accidently bottom out this prop, that I dont run the risk of damaging the outdrive/lower unit. I'd much rather pay $60 to get an aluminum prop remachined than have to pay $600 to repair the lower unit.
I am wondering where to go from here though. How does efficiency factor into prop selection? I'd rather save a few bucks at the gas pump than be able to get 50mph out of my boat. I read somewhere that a 4 blade prop is more efficient than a 3 blade, but havent seen much about that on this forum.
I like the way that the boat handles with the prop I've got now, I can pull a skiier with 7 people on the boat and it handles quite well. But everyone keeps telling me that SS is a bad idea for beginners like myself.
Any suggestions or ideas would be greatly appreciated! Thanks for the help!
BJ
I am wondering where to go from here though. How does efficiency factor into prop selection? I'd rather save a few bucks at the gas pump than be able to get 50mph out of my boat. I read somewhere that a 4 blade prop is more efficient than a 3 blade, but havent seen much about that on this forum.
I like the way that the boat handles with the prop I've got now, I can pull a skiier with 7 people on the boat and it handles quite well. But everyone keeps telling me that SS is a bad idea for beginners like myself.
Any suggestions or ideas would be greatly appreciated! Thanks for the help!
BJ