DEWEY
New Member
- Oct 16, 2020
- 5
- Boat Info
- 180 SeaRay Sport 3.0L 2004, 14.250-19P SSprop
180 Chaparral 4.3L 1998, 1.81R Drive, SS19P prop Sold
- Engines
- 3.0 Mercruiser, Alpha1, 2.00-Drive
Owned a 1998 Chaparral with a SS19p prop 13yrs that planed out quick but wouldn't stay on plane at lower speeds. Best mph was about 55 per the gauge on calm water.
Sold the Chaparral & bought the SeaRay as I liked the non carpeted flooring.
I was giving all the service records the previous owners had the boat serviced though the yrs.
When I was checking the engine over it has #6 heat range sparkplugs & what looks to be a 160 thermostat per the gauge.
(Just thought it was interesting since the ford 302HO engine came stock with a hotter #5 sparkplug & like a 190ish thermostat).
I haven't verified the 3.0 timing myself yet.
My 1st test out there was a hesitation issue so I siphoned the fuel tank on the SeaRay & filled with non-ethanol fuel & spray cleaned the carburetor. Hesitation is now gone.
I noticed the 3.0 SeaRay engine feels & sounds weak to plane out even though the boat planes out pretty decent as it doesn't seem to sit that low in the water, it definitely doesn't feel as heavy in the rear compared to the chaparral 4.3 boat.
Ive noticed there is more engine noise on this 3.0 SeaRay with its fiberglass engine capsule & its foam compared to the wood platform that contained the chaparral 4.3 engine but the engine is easier to get to in the SeaRay for service work.
Cruising wise 3000 rpm in the SeaRay is as much as I could stand noise wise, the stock mph gauge was roughly 30.
Idle wise the stock tach shows 1000rpms.
Top speed with full tank & just me aboard was 38-40 mph by GPS vs the stock tach @ 3600 rpm. The stock aluminum prop would note-abruptly/harshly/violently unhook from the water when trimming out for speed, I never had that issue with a SS-prop on the 4.3 boat so Im thinking its because the aluminum prop isnt cupped on its trailing edge.
I was reading about trim tabs on clubsearay & for my boat I see the main benefit is control in choppy water. This 180 searay stays on plane pretty well at low speeds.
Just sorting out my options.
Ive read some here recommend a SS prop on the 3.0 engine & use it.
Ive read some here that dont recommend a SS prop on the 3.0 engine due to the props weight.
Im getting the impression from reading on clubsearay that the 5 blades aren't recommended for small engines.
Looks like MikeyF (last posted 2013) likes the 21P - High 5 on his 3.0.
Of course any holeshot, midrange pull advantage is always a plus & staying hooked up in turns is also.
I don't like how the prop unhooks so abruptly/harshly/violently when trimming out as it leads to less mph.
Concerned about increased noise from engine rpms if reducing prop pitch.
Any incite is welcomed.
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