New prop advice 2014 Bayliner 185, 3.0L

[Wingnut73]

I recently purchased a 2014 Baliner 185. It has the 3.0 inline 4 cylinder with Alpha one stearndrive. I believe it is very overpropped with a Solas Amita3 15.3x19. I am only reaching 2300 WOT at 35 mph. the manual recommends 4300-4800 rpm at WOT. I also use the boat for wakeboarding and tubing so i need a much better holeshot. I dont believ top speed will suffer much if I can acheive the recommended rpm. Thanks for any input, I don't want to buy a lot of props until I find the right one, I would like to get a better idea where it may have been stock. this prop was brand new on the boat when I bought it and I dont think the individual that put it on had any idea what would happen.

 

[Scott06]

I recently purchased a 2014 Baliner 185. It has the 3.0 inline 4 cylinder with Alpha one stearndrive. I believe it is very overpropped with a Solas Amita3 15.3x19. I am only reaching 2300 WOT at 35 mph. the manual recommends 4300-4800 rpm at WOT. I also use the boat for wakeboarding and tubing so i need a much better holeshot. I dont believ top speed will suffer much if I can acheive the recommended rpm. Thanks for any input, I don't want to buy a lot of props until I find the right one, I would like to get a better idea where it may have been stock. this prop was brand new on the boat when I bought it and I dont think the individual that put it on had any idea what would happen.

your tach is off or on tge wrong setting (4/6/8 cylinder) if it really was only 2300 rpm you wouldn’t be on plane yet

fix the tach or use a shop tach and find out where you are at wot rpm before playing with props. in a nut shell if you want more hole shot go down in pitch try a 17 inch or go to a four blade like a Michigan Vortx aluminum in an 18 inch pitch.

 

[Wingnut73]

your tach is off or on tge wrong setting (4/6/8 cylinder) if it really was only 2300 rpm you wouldn’t be on plane yet

fix the tach or use a shop tach and find out where you are at wot rpm before playing with props. in a nut shell if you want more hole shot go down in pitch try a 17 inch or go to a four blade like a Michigan Vortx aluminum in an 18 inch pitch.

Thanks! I'll definitely look into the tachometer. I have been considering a four blade in a 17 pitch. I don't have a test tach though. I'll have to see if I can find one.

 

[Scott06]

Thanks! I'll definitely look into the tachometer. I have been considering a four blade in a 17 pitch. I don't have a test tach though. I'll have to see if I can find one.

You may be able to borrow one from an auto parts store that rents tools. Long term you will want to fix your tach in dash anyways. You may just turn the knob on the back and see if it comes in line.

17 or 18" really just depends on prop manufacturer (some are even pitches only some are odd). I reccomended the michigan ones because they are relatively cheap and their is some trial and error in prop selection, and I had first hand postivie experince with them. Best bet if you are new to prop selection is find a local marina or prop shop were you can try before you buy.

 

[Wingnut73]

You may be able to borrow one from an auto parts store that rents tools. Long term you will want to fix your tach in dash anyways. You may just turn the knob on the back and see if it comes in line.

17 or 18" really just depends on prop manufacturer (some are even pitches only some are odd). I reccomended the michigan ones because they are relatively cheap and their is some trial and error in prop selection, and I had first hand postivie experince with them. Best bet if you are new to prop selection is find a local marina or prop shop were you can try before you buy.

Thanks a ton on the advice. I checked the tach setting and it was incorrect. Set to the 3.0MPI not the 3.0TKS that is in the boat. RPMs look good at idle and revving up to 4k not touching WOT on the trailer. Now I need to get her back in The water for an accurate read at WOT for new prop selection. Definitely will be going to a four blade for wakeboarding and tubing holeshot.

 

[QBhoy]

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Thanks a ton on the advice. I checked the tach setting and it was incorrect. Set to the 3.0MPI not the 3.0TKS that is in the boat. RPMs look good at idle and revving up to 4k not touching WOT on the trailer. Now I need to get her back in The water for an accurate read at WOT for new prop selection. Definitely will be going to a four blade for wakeboarding and tubing holeshot.

4k on the trailer isn’t telling you anything

 

[Wingnut73]

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4k on the trailer isn’t telling you anything

I know that, but I really had to give it throttle to get there before so I know now that it's a whole lot closer to being in the right zone.

 

[Wingnut73]

I know that, but I really had to give it throttle to get there before so I know now that it's a whole lot closer to being in the right zone.

I have to get it in the water again soon.

 

[QBhoy]

I know that, but I really had to give it throttle to get there before so I know now that it's a whole lot closer to being in the right zone.

It shouldn’t make a difference out the water really

 

[PB48052]

I recently purchased a 2014 Baliner 185. It has the 3.0 inline 4 cylinder with Alpha one stearndrive. I believe it is very overpropped with a Solas Amita3 15.3x19. I am only reaching 2300 WOT at 35 mph. the manual recommends 4300-4800 rpm at WOT. I also use the boat for wakeboarding and tubing so i need a much better holeshot. I dont believ top speed will suffer much if I can acheive the recommended rpm. Thanks for any input, I don't want to buy a lot of props until I find the right one, I would like to get a better idea where it may have been stock. this prop was brand new on the boat when I bought it and I dont think the individual that put it on had any idea what would happen.

I had Merc prop 14×21 3blade and tried Solas 14×21 4blade (same pitch) on 18' Searay bowrider with Alpha One, and it dragged my 3.0 down to 3500 rpm and couldn't get top speed either. Solas had higher rake and extra blade. Bought a Merc Black Diamond 21" pitch and now I'm at 4425 rpm WOT and solid 40 mph. My motor sticker reads 4200-4600 WOT rpm, so I feel I'm there

 

[PB48052]

I had Merc prop 14×21 3blade and tried Solas 14×21 4blade (same pitch) on 18' Searay bowrider with Alpha One, and it dragged my 3.0 down to 3500 rpm and couldn't get top speed either. Solas had higher rake and extra blade. Bought a Merc Black Diamond 21" pitch and now I'm at 4425 rpm WOT and solid 40 mph. My motor sticker reads 4200-4600 WOT rpm, so I feel I'm there

your tach is off or on tge wrong setting (4/6/8 cylinder) if it really was only 2300 rpm you wouldn’t be on plane yet

fix the tach or use a shop tach and find out where you are at wot rpm before playing with props. in a nut shell if you want more hole shot go down in pitch try a 17 inch or go to a four blade like a Michigan Vortx aluminum in an 18 inch pitch.

I used my calibrated inductive shop tach and GPS from phone. I'd not trust dash gauges for dialing in prop. If that checks out, I'd be looking at engine tune, point dwell, timing, etc.

 

[Scott Danforth]

I used my calibrated inductive shop tach and GPS from phone. I'd not trust dash gauges for dialing in prop. If that checks out, I'd be looking at engine tune, point dwell, timing, etc.

no points on a 2014 engine

 

[vroom ZOOM]

I recently purchased a 2014 Baliner 185. It has the 3.0 inline 4 cylinder with Alpha one stearndrive. I believe it is very overpropped with a Solas Amita3 15.3x19. I am only reaching 2300 WOT at 35 mph. the manual recommends 4300-4800 rpm at WOT. I also use the boat for wakeboarding and tubing so i need a much better holeshot. I dont believ top speed will suffer much if I can acheive the recommended rpm. Thanks for any input, I don't want to buy a lot of props until I find the right one, I would like to get a better idea where it may have been stock. this prop was brand new on the boat when I bought it and I dont think the individual that put it on had any idea what would happen.

19p 3 blade aluminum should be perfect for that boat...

 

[sergaivid]

After much discussion and friendly advice last winter on prop selection I choose to buy a 4 blade 14 x 21P Solas Amita 4, earlier this summer I put on the new prop and this is the results, numbers are from the stock gauges so may or may not be accurate but work for comparing the 2 props. I swapped the props back and forth on the same day to compare.
Stock 3 blade 14 x21P WOT 4950rpm, Top speed planed out 46 mph
Solas Amita 14 X 21P 4 blade WOT 4500 rpm Top speed planed out 44 mph
No noticeable difference on planning time but the 4 blade did keep the bow rise down better and did seem to plane at a slower speed but not by much.
My conclusion is the 4 blade 14 X 21P has the boat over propped. Next year I'll try some 19P props.

 

[sergaivid]

After much discussion and friendly advice last winter on prop selection I choose to buy a 4 blade 14 x 21P Solas Amita 4, earlier this summer I put on the new prop and this is the results, numbers are from the stock gauges so may or may not be accurate but work for comparing the 2 props. I swapped the props back and forth on the same day to compare.
Stock 3 blade 14 x21P WOT 4950rpm, Top speed planed out 46 mph
Solas Amita 14 X 21P 4 blade WOT 4500 rpm Top speed planed out 44 mph
No noticeable difference on planning time but the 4 blade did keep the bow rise down better and did seem to plane at a slower speed but not by much.
My conclusion is the 4 blade 14 X 21P has the boat over propped. Next year I'll try some 19P props.

I have been considering a four blade in a 17 pitch. I don't have a test tach though. vidmate app download insta save

 

[QBhoy]

I think if you’re coming to any sort of useful conclusion on props…it’s best to use GPS at least. Just around the speed you have there. 46 mph would be exceptional for that set up. I’d be amazed if you managed to turn a 21” of any sort to nearly 5000 rpm with a 3.0 on that boat.
Gauges are I suppose a useful indication…but will vary wildly from the truth, most often.
Just my thoughts. Not to be taken as criticism though. I’m a huge fan of getting a boat propped correctly. There just isn’t a better thing you can do for a boat…