Anyone running aluminum 4 blade, 17" pitch on there 185?

Searayguy185

Member
Jul 17, 2017
87
Wisconsin
Boat Info
2004 Sea Ray 185 Sport 4.3 V6,

2008 Toyota Highlander Sport
Engines
Mercruiser 4.3 V6, Alpha 1 Generation 2
I have a aluminum 4 blade 19" pitch on there currently and with my "light" family we are at 4600 WOT. I'm trying to get closer to 4800 WOT so when we are towing are big 2 person tube or a slalom skier with people in the boat we are not over working the engine. It there anyone out there who has ran there 185 with the aluminum 4 blade 17' pitch and if so what was your WOT RPM. I'm concerned that it would be to much RPM.
 
You're within your WOT range for your engine with the 19". But dropping to the 17" wouldn't be bad, either. It would probably put you right around 4,900. BUT, that's not a bad thing since you can self regulate that RPM and, let's face it, going WOT is probably only something you do once in a great while. Plus the 17" will get you a better hole shot. Personally, I wouldn't hesitate to do it. In the past, I've dropped up to 5" and just knew that I had to adjust my throttle to keep it from over-revving. But 4,900 for short periods really isn't anything to get concerned about, either - but again, you can control that with your right hand.
 
I'm in the same boat (pun intended), I just bought the 4x 14/17, installed it last week but haven't gotten it wet yet. Should be a good choice.
 
It is rare to run a boat wide open on the top end. You can control your rpm with your throttle. That prop sounds perfect for water sports.
 
I have a 2004 185 Sport, 4.3 190 HP, Alpha 1 1.81 ratio, 14 1/4X23 prop, with just me and basic equipment I hit 5200 rpm, with gear, several people, Bimini up I still turned 4900 rpm. If you have the same setup, eng/ratio, not sure why you need a 17 pitch prop, I have tried several different props, went back to the one that came on it, better performance overall with stock setup. If you have a different hp/ratio then maybe you do need something different, just going by what I have tried.
 
I have a 2004 185 Sport, 4.3 190 HP, Alpha 1 1.81 ratio, 14 1/4X23 prop, with just me and basic equipment I hit 5200 rpm, with gear, several people, Bimini up I still turned 4900 rpm. If you have the same setup, eng/ratio, not sure why you need a 17 pitch prop, I have tried several different props, went back to the one that came on it, better performance overall with stock setup. If you have a different hp/ratio then maybe you do need something different, just going by what I have tried.
I do have the same setup as you. Not sure how you are getting such a high RPM. I run Solas props, not sure if they have more cupping to them, but with a 19" 4 blade I'm getting 4700 with just me on the boat
 
I do have the same setup as you. Not sure how you are getting such a high RPM. I run Solas props, not sure if they have more cupping to them, but with a 19" 4 blade I'm getting 4700 with just me on the boat
Solas and Turning Point Props have more cup on the trailing edge, I have tried both, you do have to drop size, then speed to rpm changes, less speed to rpm mid range, less speed more rpm high rpm after dropping size, if using the same size as stock you can get more speed to rpm mid range and never get close to wot rpm, fuel consumption is also higher. Stock setup would give me 35 mph at 3500 rpm just me in the boat, 33 to 34 mph at 3500 with family and stuff for the beach, that is why I went back to stock setup, it was better than anything else I tried. Mercury does a good job of matching boat and propulsion together so I found out.
 
The 14 x 17 was not enough prop for the boat. Easy to overrev and fairly slow - fuel-efficient, though. Going to a 14x19 4-blade.
 
I have a 2004 185 Sport, 4.3 190 HP, Alpha 1 1.81 ratio, 14 1/4X23 prop, with just me and basic equipment I hit 5200 rpm, with gear, several people, Bimini up I still turned 4900 rpm. If you have the same setup, eng/ratio, not sure why you need a 17 pitch prop, I have tried several different props, went back to the one that came on it, better performance overall with stock setup. If you have a different hp/ratio then maybe you do need something different, just going by what I have tried.
How far up do you trim it to achieve that high of RPM? Just wondering if i'm doing something wrong since i'm not quite getting the same RPM? With that aluminum 19p 4blade prop with just me on it i'm getting 4700.
 
Solas and Turning Point Props have more cup on the trailing edge, I have tried both, you do have to drop size, then speed to rpm changes, less speed to rpm mid range, less speed more rpm high rpm after dropping size, if using the same size as stock you can get more speed to rpm mid range and never get close to wot rpm, fuel consumption is also higher. Stock setup would give me 35 mph at 3500 rpm just me in the boat, 33 to 34 mph at 3500 with family and stuff for the beach, that is why I went back to stock setup, it was better than anything else I tried. Mercury does a good job of matching boat and propulsion together so I found out.
I just read this thread, and from what you are saying it sounds like my Solas has more cupping to the stock prop? By it grabbing better is that slowing the engine speed down? What is the stock prop? size and model? I have the same set up as you. Including gear ratio and engine. Thanks
 
How far up do you trim it to achieve that high of RPM? Just wondering if i'm doing something wrong since i'm not quite getting the same RPM? With that aluminum 19p 4blade prop with just me on it i'm getting 4700.
I trim up until the bow just starts to bounce, and/or the speed starts to drop, then down until it stops the bounce. You can play with it to find exactly where that is on your boat. I also added Smart Tabs while I had the Turning Point prop on, they helped with fuel consumption and speed, kept me from losing as my load increased through the years, more stuff per trip and bigger people.
 
I just read this thread, and from what you are saying it sounds like my Solas has more cupping to the stock prop? By it grabbing better is that slowing the engine speed down? What is the stock prop? size and model? I have the same set up as you. Including gear ratio and engine. Thanks
Yes they both have more pitch than the stock Mercruiser Black Max, Manufacturer part number: 832834A45, 14X23. I had said that my stock prop was 14 1/4X23, that was an error, the Turning Point was 14 1/4X23. That extra cup does grab more water, so more load on engine and less rpm, it is trying to give you more speed but the engine does not have the power to produce it. I called TP and they agreed to swap for a 21 pitch which was better but still did not give me what I had with the stock one, little less speed per rpm, slightly more fuel consumption. I decided that stock was better.
 
Yes they both have more pitch than the stock Mercruiser Black Max, Manufacturer part number: 832834A45, 14X23. I had said that my stock prop was 14 1/4X23, that was an error, the Turning Point was 14 1/4X23. That extra cup does grab more water, so more load on engine and less rpm, it is trying to give you more speed but the engine does not have the power to produce it. I called TP and they agreed to swap for a 21 pitch which was better but still did not give me what I had with the stock one, little less speed per rpm, slightly more fuel consumption. I decided that stock
was better.

Thank you for the info, good to know.
 

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