Need help with prop selection

[the.neck]

i have a 4.3 mercrury with an alpha one stern drive gear ratio 1.81 it currently has the stock prop a 21 pitch with smart tabs on it. It is a tahoe q6i i want a better hole shot when i have four people in the boat it takes forever to plane out i was thinking of going to a 4 blade 19 pitch aluminum or even the quick silver 5 blade 19 pitch it runs top speed around 50 mph at 4800 rpm. i'm not worried about losing much on the top end i just want a quicker hole shot thanks

 

[grendelsniper]

Re: Need help with prop selection

I was told by a boat shop more hole shot less pitch but will sacrifice top speed also with the high 5 prop, find a boat shop that will let you try it before you buy it, find one that works best for your set up with amount of people and gear you normally run.

 

[craze1cars]

Re: Need help with prop selection

Which 4.3 to you have? What is its WOT operating RPM range? Many recommend 4,400 to 4,800. If it's an MPI I belive it may like to spin faster however...

You sound as though you are very well propped right now, with very little slip, assuming your tach and speedo numbers are accurate. An aggressive 4 blade may indeed improve holeshot while maintaining about the same top speed. Solas and Stilletto are popular around here in stainless. Solas also makes an aluminum 4 blade alternative that gets consistent good reviews. You'll probably need to drop to a 19 or 20 pitch to maintain your RPMS however....assuming 4,800 is a good place for you to be.

Most reports on High 5's indicate they pull like a freight train, however at a cost of 5 mph or more off top speed. I have no experience with them personally.

 

[not enuf toys]

Re: Need help with prop selection

Which 4.3 to you have? What is its WOT operating RPM range? Many recommend 4,400 to 4,800. If it's an MPI I belive it may like to spin faster however...

You sound as though you are very well propped right now, with very little slip, assuming your tach and speedo numbers are accurate. An aggressive 4 blade may indeed improve holeshot while maintaining about the same top speed. Solas and Stilletto are popular around here in stainless. Solas also makes an aluminum 4 blade alternative that gets consistent good reviews. You'll probably need to drop to a 19 or 20 pitch to maintain your RPMS however....assuming 4,800 is a good place for you to be.

Most reports on High 5's indicate they pull like a freight train, however at a cost of 5 mph or more off top speed. I have no experience with them personally.

I just tried out a 19pitch high five this weekend.....yes it pulls like a freight train! However I lost 5 to 6 mph on the top end. Looking to try an 18 or 19 4 blade Saturday.

 

[boat1010]

Re: Need help with prop selection

If you were looking for a better hole shot and not worried about top end than it sounds like you found the right prop. What RPM did you have with the high 5?

 

[not enuf toys]

Re: Need help with prop selection

4700 4800

I wasn't worried about a couple mph on the top but 5 to 6 seemed a bit much. I guess it was just the drag if the fifth blade and lack of bow lift it gave me.

 

[boat1010]

Re: Need help with prop selection

I would like to try a different prop but don't have any place around here that sells props little own let ya try them out.

 

[the.neck]

Re: Need help with prop selection

bought a solas 4 blade 19 pitch from iboats hoping to test it this sunday will report back thanks for the help