180 br

[spankym13]

Hey guys Im new to the forum and to boating so if I post things here that should be and need to be in different forums just let me know! First of With my 99 SeaRay 180BR That has the 3.0 mercruiser, What RPM should I cruise down the lake at? or better yet what should my MAX cruising RPM be? I know the WOT Rpm is 4400-4800...

 

[chuck1]

Each setup is going to be different depending on the prop, etc. With that said I always found that 3100 to 3300 has always work good for me. The more you boat you will just find the sweet spot from sound and feel and when you look at the tach I think you will find you are somewhere around that rpm setting. Hope it helps.

 

[Scottbenson]

3,579 rpm

 

[Mark RSA2AU]

Agreed it depends on your load in the boat ie number of people, the prop you are running and the conditions.

I cruise with a 4 blade 19, at about 3500 - 4000 with the family. Speed aside this seems the most comfortable. Then for fun it is flat out, full throttle, trim out 5200 rpm... but this is going to shorten your engine life. I use my Hi5 17 for watersports, but do not go over 4800 rpm, now days she will easily push 5800 rpm at this low pitch ( had a change of underware when I first did this)!

 

[csellers]

Spanky-
I have an 00' 180BR with the same engine. I have a Turning Point SS 19" prop and WOT is about 4600 and 42-44mph top end. Cruising for me is around 3-3500 RPM or whenever you hear everything get real smooth!

 

[spankym13]

Thanks for the info! I feel much better going out now! I've got a 14 x 21 prop for lake powell which is around 3700 ft. I working on a cheap 14 x 19 to take as well just incase the 21 has a hard time ( had a 15 x 15 when I bought it). I normally have 4 adults, and 2 teens in the boat with a cooler of lunch and drinks so.

 

[Scottbenson]

I think you would be happier with a 14 X 19 three blade or a 19 Pitch high five propeller for lake powell. Especially if you are doing any watersports pulling. I ran my boat (just like yours) down there last year with a 19P 5 blade high five and it worked well with the same type of load you describe. If you are going to do mostly cruising and no watersports, I think you will be happy with the 21P.

 

[spankym13]

AWSOME! Scott, Thanks for the info it really helps knowing that you have the same boat and have been down there to Powell! So do the 4 and 5 blade props make a big difference compared to the normal 3 blade? Like I say I've only had the boat for 2 years so im still learning!! :thumbsup:

 

[Scottbenson]

The four and five blade props make a difference in getting up on a plane much easier and quicker. Which.......is a help when you are heavily loaded or pulling water toys. You will lose about 1 1/2 mph off the top end speed when comparing a 19P three blade and a 19P High five five bladed prop. Others have mentioned lower fuel economy on the five blade as well but I haven't noticed any decrease personally.

I have a 19P aluminum three blade that I use for cruising and a 19P and 17P five bladed prop that I use for watersports and general boatin. My 19P high five five blade prop is my primary and it does very well for all around boating. I usually have about the same load as you haul and pull lots of people.

If you are having trouble getting up on plane quickly enough, I would recommend trying a 5 blade 19P for Lake Powell. I'm going down there the end of June and actually have 8 people total and will be taking my 17P prop as well.