best prop

G

Greg Van Hook

New Member
Jul 11, 2020
4
Boat Info
2003 176 Sea Ray bowrider 140 Mercruiser stern drive
Engines
140 Mercruiser stern drive
I have a 2003 Sea Ray 176 bow rider w/140 mercruiser stern drive. Prop is getting a little beat up and I would like to replace it. I need prop details so that I know what to buy. I assume the stock prop is the best for this boat or will it take a higher pitched prop. Please make a recommendation.
 
Look at the numbers on the hub of the current propeller to determine which propeller you currently have.

a 2003 with mercruiser 140? They came with a 3.0 mercruiser.

what were the maximum rpms with the current propeller before it was damaged?

if you want a more durable prop you could go with a stainless propeller. If you go that route I would drop an inch or two in pitch compared to an aluminum propeller.

post your wide open throttle rpms and current propeller size which I believe will be 21” pitch.
 
Greg Van Hook said:
I have a 2003 Sea Ray 176 bow rider w/140 mercruiser stern drive. Prop is getting a little beat up and I would like to replace it. I need prop details so that I know what to buy. I assume the stock prop is the best for this boat or will it take a higher pitched prop. Please make a recommendation.
Click to expand...

Thank you for your response. You are correct. It is a 4 cylinder 3.0 litre. the current prop has the number 231019. I usually run the boat between 3300 and 4000 rpm's. If I peg the throttle it will reach around 5000 rpms but I never run it that high on a consistent basis. I would like to go to a stainless prop and possibly one that will give me a little more speed without stressing the engine. Looking forward to your recommendation.
 
So that is a 21” Michigan wheel aluminum propeller.

it sounds like you may be a little fast on rpms. Maximum rpms should be 4800. As long as your tachometer reading is accurate you could probably run a similar 23” aluminum and pick up a couple mph. If you go stainless steel I would stay with 21” pitch but something with some cup on the blades like a vengeance or similar propeller type.

stainless will not flex like aluminum. This along with some cup in the blades will help to keep the rpms down from where you are now.

Stainless will be considerably more expensive than aluminum. A 21” Steel vs 23” aluminum will be close in top speed.
 
blaster said:
So that is a 21” Michigan wheel aluminum propeller.

it sounds like you may be a little fast on rpms. Maximum rpms should be 4800. As long as your tachometer reading is accurate you could probably run a similar 23” aluminum and pick up a couple mph. If you go stainless steel I would stay with 21” pitch but something with some cup on the blades like a vengeance or similar propeller type.

stainless will not flex like aluminum. This along with some cup in the blades will help to keep the rpms down from where you are now.

Stainless will be considerably more expensive than aluminum. A 21” Steel vs 23” aluminum will be close in top speed.
Click to expand...

Thanks again for your help. 4800 is probably accurate. Sounds to me like a 21" stainless steel would be a good prop for me. I assume the fit is universal and any prop I purchase will fit?
 
Last edited:
Google a company called “Prop Gods”. They are very helpful. Also, if you buy from them and don’t like the pitch, for $35 you can send your prop back And get a different pitch.
 
Riptide III said:
Google a company called “Prop Gods”. They are very helpful. Also, if you buy from them and don’t like the pitch, for $35 you can send your prop back And get a different pitch.
Click to expand...
I'll do that. Thanks!
 
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