New prop purchase

[JTwelve]

I have my first boat, a 2001 Bayliner Capri LX 192 (Cuddy cabin) that I am using mostly for family time on the water and wake boarding and skiing.

Im finding it difficult to get onto plane while towing a skier/ boarder and maintaining a speed. I think a prop may solve this but I’ve never purchased one.

I have an Alpha One Mercruiser sterndrive with the 1.62 ratio.
Current propellor is a three blade QA1916X with a 19 pitch and at wide open throttle I get about 4400 RPMs at 43 miles per hour.

Id be forever thankful if someone could suggest a propellor that would get me onto plane faster and maintain speed easier without losing too much top end speed.

Many thanks!!

 

[GA_Boater]

Welcome aboard.

You told us everything except what motor is driving the prop.

 

[mr 88]

Generally speaking by dropping down to a 17" prop you pop out of the hole quicker and be able to maintain a more constant speed Engine is not working as hard with that prop so your speed remains a bit more constant. Not sure if a 4 bladed 17" prop would work better and give you more bite for popping a skier out of the water . Might have to ask a prop shop . NOW you are going to lose top end AND you must keep a eye on your tach so that you do not go over the MFGs max rated RPM for whatever engine you have . If you want to cruise ,maintain fuel efficiency and keep your top end you will have to switch back to the 19" prop.

 

[JTwelve]

Welcome aboard.

You told us everything except what motor is driving the prop.

Sorry. It’s a Mercury 4.3 L Alpha One.

 

[JTwelve]

Also worth mentioning:

I'm happy with the RPM range. Mfgr says max is 4400 RPMs and that’s where it is at WOT. Wouldn’t be terribly upset if I lost a few RPMS at WOT. Ultimately I’m looking for earlier planing with 5 people on board and one being towed, and more consistent speed. Hole shot would be beneficial as well but consistent early planing and speed is the most desirable effect I’m looking for.

 

[QBhoy]

Hi

you can’t really lose any rpm more than you see now. But the prop you have would be the normal set up for your boat. I think if you trim up a little at wot you’d see more rpm.
I would try a few more goes with the prop you have personally, but if you are set on more hole shot for towing, go down to a 17” or go high 5 19”. I’m not a fan of these on my boats but no doubt they are incredible for out the hole when compared to the same pitch 3 blade. Just they lose top end and efficiency all through the rest of the range.

 

[Lowlysubaruguy]

My search showed the 1.61 to be connected to the v8

I have the 4,3 alpha 1 gen two in 1.81 and nothing about a 1.62 ratio?

My boats similar in size maybe just a hair lighter however I load my boat hard 6 250 pound men fishing gear huge coolers and fish a trolling motor off the swim deck I run 54 MPH pull average skier up with a slalom ski and a good skier can get up in a couple seconds or less. running a 14x21 ballistic prop I often switch to a four blade aluminum 13.5x 20 when fishing solely because were chasing salmon in very rough water with a lot of boats around and I need to be able to flat back up in a hurry with very rough aerated water reverse really takes a lot of bite.

I find a 13.5x19 to be very fast out of the hole but top speed is right about 44 to 45 which makes me wonder if your reading the ratio wrong on your outdrive its really hard to see on mine. Because our top speeds with the same prop is close.

If you do have a 1.61 or 1.62 ratio I’m thinking a 4 blade 14x18 if it’s available might not increase your RPMs to much but give you the bite you need for a launch and still offer some well rounded performance. Your going to lose 2 MPH I bet. But maybe no more.

If however you have a 1.81 then I have more thoughts that you just have a prop that isnt the right design for your boat. I hate running the four blade prop on mine. The 4 blade mentioned up top may be a good starter there around $100 usually. While I can flat pull a skier out of the water and reverse when heavily loaded is great I use double the fuel my mid range and top end are just off. With the ballistic on a flat day I can trim right to chine walk and back off and cruise at 30 to 35 and get great fuel economy.

I traded props with a 21 foot stripper that have the 4,3 a 19 was to much prop it was a dog out of the hole. He ran a 17 and top speed was 39 to 40 that 17 on my boat was horrible it would pull a skier great but I lost 15 MPH and had to cruse in the 20s I ran it one weekend and gave it back to him. So I you have to buy a prop to know try and find a 4 blade 13,5x18 ish and see if that works your probably not going to like the 17

 

[JTwelve]

My search showed the 1.61 to be connected to the v8

I have the 4,3 alpha 1 gen two in 1.81 and nothing about a 1.62 ratio?

My boats similar in size maybe just a hair lighter however I load my boat hard 6 250 pound men fishing gear huge coolers and fish a trolling motor off the swim deck I run 54 MPH pull average skier up with a slalom ski and a good skier can get up in a couple seconds or less. running a 14x21 ballistic prop I often switch to a four blade aluminum 13.5x 20 when fishing solely because were chasing salmon in very rough water with a lot of boats around and I need to be able to flat back up in a hurry with very rough aerated water reverse really takes a lot of bite.

I find a 13.5x19 to be very fast out of the hole but top speed is right about 44 to 45 which makes me wonder if your reading the ratio wrong on your outdrive its really hard to see on mine. Because our top speeds with the same prop is close.

If you do have a 1.61 or 1.62 ratio I’m thinking a 4 blade 14x18 if it’s available might not increase your RPMs to much but give you the bite you need for a launch and still offer some well rounded performance. Your going to lose 2 MPH I bet. But maybe no more.

If however you have a 1.81 then I have more thoughts that you just have a prop that isnt the right design for your boat. I hate running the four blade prop on mine. The 4 blade mentioned up top may be a good starter there around $100 usually. While I can flat pull a skier out of the water and reverse when heavily loaded is great I use double the fuel my mid range and top end are just off. With the ballistic on a flat day I can trim right to chine walk and back off and cruise at 30 to 35 and get great fuel economy.

I traded props with a 21 foot stripper that have the 4,3 a 19 was to much prop it was a dog out of the hole. He ran a 17 and top speed was 39 to 40 that 17 on my boat was horrible it would pull a skier great but I lost 15 MPH and had to cruse in the 20s I ran it one weekend and gave it back to him. So I you have to buy a prop to know try and find a 4 blade 13,5x18 ish and see if that works your probably not going to like the 17

Great information here! Very helpful.

I do, indeed, have the 1.62 ratio. I took a picture and had to check after reading your reply. It is a 1.62. Turns out my shallow inland lake took a ding out of my prop today, so I do intend to purchase a new prop in the next day or so. Your information was very helpful. Knowing for sure that it's a 1.62 ratio, would you suggest anything different from what you said above? Thanks again!

 

[JTwelve]

My search showed the 1.61 to be connected to the v8

I have the 4,3 alpha 1 gen two in 1.81 and nothing about a 1.62 ratio?

My boats similar in size maybe just a hair lighter however I load my boat hard 6 250 pound men fishing gear huge coolers and fish a trolling motor off the swim deck I run 54 MPH pull average skier up with a slalom ski and a good skier can get up in a couple seconds or less. running a 14x21 ballistic prop I often switch to a four blade aluminum 13.5x 20 when fishing solely because were chasing salmon in very rough water with a lot of boats around and I need to be able to flat back up in a hurry with very rough aerated water reverse really takes a lot of bite.

I find a 13.5x19 to be very fast out of the hole but top speed is right about 44 to 45 which makes me wonder if your reading the ratio wrong on your outdrive its really hard to see on mine. Because our top speeds with the same prop is close.

If you do have a 1.61 or 1.62 ratio I’m thinking a 4 blade 14x18 if it’s available might not increase your RPMs to much but give you the bite you need for a launch and still offer some well rounded performance. Your going to lose 2 MPH I bet. But maybe no more.

If however you have a 1.81 then I have more thoughts that you just have a prop that isnt the right design for your boat. I hate running the four blade prop on mine. The 4 blade mentioned up top may be a good starter there around $100 usually. While I can flat pull a skier out of the water and reverse when heavily loaded is great I use double the fuel my mid range and top end are just off. With the ballistic on a flat day I can trim right to chine walk and back off and cruise at 30 to 35 and get great fuel economy.

I traded props with a 21 foot stripper that have the 4,3 a 19 was to much prop it was a dog out of the hole. He ran a 17 and top speed was 39 to 40 that 17 on my boat was horrible it would pull a skier great but I lost 15 MPH and had to cruse in the 20s I ran it one weekend and gave it back to him. So I you have to buy a prop to know try and find a 4 blade 13,5x18 ish and see if that works your probably not going to like the 17

I found a 4 blade, 14 diameter 19 pitch prop for a good price that I can get delivered in 2 days. Seems like a good choice, based on what you’re saying. What do you think?

 

[Bondo]

I found a 4 blade, 14 diameter 19 pitch prop for a good price that I can get delivered in 2 days. Seems like a good choice, based on what you’re saying. What do you think?

Ayuh,..... It'll be worst than the 19" 3 blade ya got,.....

Ya need to drop pitch,...... a 17" might be the ticket,.....

 

[hucka003]

I had a very similar issue on my Glastron (had an aluminum 19P 3 blade and I had a 17P 3 blade as well, tried both saw little difference). Bought a 17P, 4 blade, 14.25", SOLAS HR Titan SS Prop. Runs slower top speed, but shot out of the hole is MUCH better, no issues with running to high at WOT. I bought mine through Deep Blue Yacht Supply, had the best price. Showed up in about 4 days.

 

[Lowlysubaruguy]

You may find the 17 series props the best for getting out if the hole or pulling skiers tubes etc. but its going to lower your top speed. And I bet 8 mph

thing with the mercruiser and props there’s a plethora of possible ways to find the sweet spot one is to try a mercury 19 inch prop from an outboard it’s got a little less actual prop even though the pitch and diameter are close so it will produce more hole shot but has 19 inches of pitch so you may find more top end speed. I lost enough top end with this prop it was for sure less than my 19 mercruiser prop. But more top speed than with the 17. Does that muddy the water a lot.

I did see 13 x18” props in a google search. This would be my choice but it may not be enough your boat may literally have double the drag mine does in the water regardless of the weight and you have a much higher ratio so the 17 is still pretty logical.

I really think going with a 17 “ prop is going to drop your top speed a lot so ask yourself what’s the best fit or carry a couple props change them to ski or just boat. Ive camped in places I pulled my ballistic prop every time it came out of the water. It’s simple enough to do. Having your prop stolen isn’t on my to do list.