q5 owners are you running stainless props?

[briborg]

I tore up my prop the other day and am considering buying a stainless prop. my old prop was an aluminum 14 x 23. Should I change size and pitch if I go to a stainless prop? If you are running stainless props tell me what you are running and what performance you are getting? Who makes good affordable props?

I have a q5 s/f with a carb. 4.3L 190hp.

 

[yourboatmyboat]

Re: q5 owners are you running stainless props?

The 13 3/4 x 21 vengence stainless prop is normally for the 220 HP 4.3 MPI motor.Engines , stern drives, and props are normally matched to use the horsepower available for the best performance at both ends. Your boat will have a 1.81 drive , the 220 HP MPI motor will have a 1.62 drive . Changes in prop size are usually made to improve either hole shots or top end , the change could effect one or the other.

 

[briborg]

Re: q5 owners are you running stainless props?

Thanks for the response yourboat. I am happy with my boats performance before I screwed up the prop. So what I am wondering is will I see the same performance out of a stainless prop of the same size and pitch.

 

[yourboatmyboat]

Re: q5 owners are you running stainless props?

Stainless props have less flex under stress than does an aluminin so your hole shots should improve. There are try before you buy prop dealers around. Search the net to find one near you

 

[kailec00]

Re: q5 owners are you running stainless props?

Mine came with a SS prop. It is a vengance 21P. The hole shot is great even when I pull a big 2 person tube with a 10 year old and 7 year old on it. We do not have any issues wakeboarding, kneeboarding or pulling a skier. I have the 220 MPI.

 

[briborg]

Re: q5 owners are you running stainless props?

Thanks for the info kailec00. This is just the info I am looking for. I am looking for a SS replacement and all of the prop calculators show either a 23 or a 21 pitch which seem ok to me but they are suggesting a decrease in diameter from a 14" to a 13.5" or 13.75" Don't know what would be better.

I don't have the 220 MPI just the 190 TKS but this gives me more confidence in my choice of a Vengeance 13.75" x 23p. Anyone running a 190 with this prop?

 

[cajun_rig]

Re: q5 owners are you running stainless props?

Hey briborg,

See you already on the hunt for a new prop.....I have a 190hp on a Q6 and I have a 21p Stainless, not sure of any other info. Slidell marine had 3 new ones on the counter last week, not sure what they were asking, but they had instock. Seen a few on craigs a few weeks back, used, but cheap?

Aluminum props and submerged crab traps don't mix <grin>

Take care friend,

 

[etransfer]

Re: q5 owners are you running stainless props?

I have a 2008 Q6 with the 220 MPI and I own 7 props.

The one I pretty much stick with now is the 20" Mercury Enertia.

Here's why:


1) Really quiet and very little vibration
2) Great hole shot and top end
3) Zero slip in turns
4) Great gas mileage
5) Really hard and tough so no scratches or chips


At WOT my RPM's with the 20" is 4700 RPM's. I also have a 19"
and 21" SS and with the 19" gas mileage isn't as good. The 21"
gets better gas mileage but hole shot isn't as good and the
engine seems to work a little more.


The main reason I like the Enertia though is it is really smooth. I mostly
cruise for hours going 30-40 MPH so comfort and gas mileage mean more to me.

 

[Hashi]

Re: q5 owners are you running stainless props?

You can't go wrong with the Enertia...Great prop!

 

[mschmidt33]

Re: q5 owners are you running stainless props?

I have this same boat... 09' Q5i SF. On the stock 23p 3 blade prop it does 44mph via gps at exactly 4400. Water was a little choppy. The engine is rated up to 4800 so I assume there is more potential to be had. I am not happy with the hole shot and could care less if I lost a few mph on top. I have heard 4 blade or 5 blade and maybe down to a 19p would help.

Question: Doesn't adding blades or reducing pitch decrese rpm at WOT?

Question: What gear ratio do I have 1.62, 1.81, or 2.0?

Any ideas? Sorry to jump in your thread, but any answers I get should help you as well.

I tore up my prop the other day and am considering buying a stainless prop. my old prop was an aluminum 14 x 23. Should I change size and pitch if I go to a stainless prop? If you are running stainless props tell me what you are running and what performance you are getting? Who makes good affordable props?

I have a q5 s/f with a carb. 4.3L 190hp.

 

[mschmidt33]

Re: q5 owners are you running stainless props?

I think I had it wrong. As pitch decreases rpm goes up!

Also, I think I have the 1.81. someone please confirm, paperwork does not give this info and boat is already in storage.

Three things I think I want:

- Upgrade to stainless, less flex, will help overall performance
- Upgrade to 4 blade - Should help hole shot, reduce vibrations, and not hurt much elsewhere.
- Decrease in pitch. 2" decrease to 21" pitch should bring me closer to 4800rpm, might lose a little top end but not a big deal. I might not though since I will now be at peak hp, I think...

Does anyone know where a power curve is for this engine?
Does anyone run over 4800rpm?
How about heads and carb? Vortec 2bbl or 4bbl? What do I have?

Mike

I have this same boat... 09' Q5i SF. On the stock 23p 3 blade prop it does 44mph via gps at exactly 4400. Water was a little choppy. The engine is rated up to 4800 so I assume there is more potential to be had. I am not happy with the hole shot and could care less if I lost a few mph on top. I have heard 4 blade or 5 blade and maybe down to a 19p would help.

Question: Doesn't adding blades or reducing pitch decrese rpm at WOT?

Question: What gear ratio do I have 1.62, 1.81, or 2.0?

Any ideas? Sorry to jump in your thread, but any answers I get should help you as well.

 

[yourboatmyboat]

Re: q5 owners are you running stainless props?

Look to the right side of your drive just above the Mercury sticker you will see the drive ratio. A 2.0 will be for a 3.0 engine. A 1.81 will be for a 4.3 carbirated engine. A 1.62 will be for a 4.3 MPI, and a 5.0 carbirated, a 1.47 will be for a 5.0 MPI and a 5.7 carbirated, 350 Mag, 6.2 .All with alpha drives

 

[mschmidt33]

Re: q5 owners are you running stainless props?

1.81 it is! Now what prop to get???

 

[yourboatmyboat]

Re: q5 owners are you running stainless props?

Factory specs call for the 14x23 as the best overall performance prop for the 190 HP engine, with the 1.81 drive to acquire the overall horse power transfer from engine to prop.

 

[mschmidt33]

Re: q5 owners are you running stainless props?

So I'm thinking a 19P Merc High Five. Thoughts? Don't care about top end, looking for a better hole shot. 09' Q5i SF 190hp Merc. 1.81FD.

 

[mschmidt33]

Re: q5 owners are you running stainless props?

Update, put on a 19p high five last night. Will take it out this weekend and get some new numbers.

Stock alum 23p on 190TKS Q5i fully trimmed:
200 lbs (me and gear) is about 4650 and 46mph on gps (speedo bouncing around 50mph)
600 lbs (3 guys and gear) was about 4400 and 44mph on gps (speedo bouncing around 47mph)

Holeshot was not good, slippage in corners was horrible, so going to try the high five for watersports.

Added smart tabs as well. On setting 3 it dropped my top speed about 1mph. Setting 2 seemed best with same top speed, limited bow rise, and slightly better hole shot. Wandering improved too.

Mike

 

[mschmidt33]

Re: q5 owners are you running stainless props?

UPDATE... had some nice weather and took it out last night!

19p High Five on 190TKS Q5i SF fully trimmed:
200 lbs (me and gear) is about 5000 and 42mph on gps (speedo bouncing around 45mph). I could hit the rev limitor at 5100 if I trimmed up even higher... speed did not increase though.

Holeshot was better, slippage in corners was much better

Smart tabs made no difference on top speed, still have the other benefits though.

Mike