205 Sport + Perfect Pass. Need prop help

[ClearCreekRdr]

I have a 2008 205 Sport (see signature). It's about 1.5 months old and I have put 38 hours on it (gone out every weekend). It's been tons of fun and my family and friends have been having a great time.

One thing I noticed is the constant adjusting of the throttle to keep at certain wakeboarding speeds. I had several people suggest a Perfect Pass so I had an authorized dealer install one last week.

I took it out for a test run and it works great mostly. What I found is that it can hold my speed at 12mph, 14mph, and 22mph (hold within 1mph). If I tried to set it to 16mph,18mph, or 20mph it struggled very hard. So bad that it wasn't even worth using the perfect pass for those speeds.

I read in the 205 Sport thread of people talking about different Prop options. I figured I would bring this into a new thread to talk about.

I have a 21 - 3 blade prop. Anyone have suggestions on solving my problem? Basically, I really don't care about top speed. I want a combination of great speed control (for wakeboarding) and I don't mind fuel efficiency. I hear about 4 blade and 5 blade props. I also hear about people going with 19' or 17'. I have aluminum right now and some people go with stainless. Thoughts?

Any help or comments would be great.

Thank You

 

[Lazy Daze]

Drop down to a 18" 4-Blade aluminum. Or a 17" High Five Stainless. Even a 17" 3-Blade SS. You could just go to a 19" with either of the SS's, but if you want to really have control and a tremendous hole-shot, drop down a little more.

You will over-rev the engine if not careful when going WOT - make sure other driver's are aware of this.

 

[ClearCreekRdr]

Thanks for the quick reply. Any advantages or disadvantages of going stainless?

Is a "High Five Stainless" a particular brand, or is that just 5 blades?

I am hoping to get into something with better control, but if possible, I wouldn't have WOT issues. I might be dreaming here.

 

[Lazy Daze]

SS vs Aluminum: http://petersmarine.blogspot.com/2009/04/propellers-stainless-or-aluminum.html

Sorry about the shameless plug, but I already wrote a small blog about the basic differences. Didn't feel like re-writing, you know?:smt001

The High Five is a Merc 5-Blade. Check out Merc's website for pics and descriptions of the 4-Blade (Black Max), too. There's a "prop selector" on Merc's website (link in my blog). I don't know if it'll allow recommending something that will take you out of your "official" RPM range, though.

You might get just enough help out of a 21" High Five, but with props you never really know until you try it. Every boat is different.

Some marina's have a "try before you buy" program.

 

[SeaRay]

ClearCreek did you install the GPS, paddlewheel or cruise control (engine rpm) model of the Perfect Pass?

If it is the engine rpm model you will be fighting the trim and boat planing issues. You should see about upgrading to the GPS model on an I/O boat.

I think it is odd that some speeds work and others don't, all within the same range.

That being said, I think you will still have better speed control with a different prop but the Perfect Pass should make more of a difference holding speed then the prop and should be able to hold a consistent speed (unless you have the engine rpm model).

Update.........Ooops. I see in your signature you have the Stargazer edition. So you should be running with GPS. The prop should help but I still think it is odd that some speeds are OK and others aren't....

 

[ClearCreekRdr]

ClearCreek did you install the GPS, paddlewheel or cruise control (engine rpm) model of the Perfect Pass?

If it is the engine rpm model you will be fighting the trim and boat planing issues. You should see about upgrading to the GPS model on an I/O boat.

I think it is odd that some speeds work and others don't, all within the same range.

That being said, I think you will still have better speed control with a different prop but the Perfect Pass should make more of a difference holding speed then the prop and should be able to hold a consistent speed (unless you have the engine rpm model).

I did buy the GPS model. Its really slick.

If this means anything, before I bought the PerfectPass I had a problem holding 18mph too. I think this is just a hard spot for my boat/prop.

 

[Lazy Daze]

Have you tried holding those speeds (that you're having a hard time with) with varying amounts of trim?

 

[billandamy]

I was recently told that the perfect pass works best on MPI engines and stainless steel props. Not sure why or if true.

We have the SS 19p on ours, and my boat holds perfect at pretty much most speeds except the low-mid teens. 16mph+ for us is fine, anything lower and its a fight.

For wakeboarding, in any event, 18 is for first starting out. You will be running into the 21 or so range soon enough :smt001 We actually now run at around 22.5 mph.

 

[Lazy Daze]

I was recently told that the perfect pass works best on MPI engines and stainless steel props. Not sure why or if true.

It sounds logical. The MPI engine has more HP (comparing same c.i.). The MPI engine has better/quicker throttle response. The SS prop also allows for faster throttle response - in a manner of speaking, anyway.

 

[ClearCreekRdr]

Thanks for all the help guys.

While I usually boat near sea level (California Delta) I went into the Sierra Mountains last weekend (over 5000 feet elevation), and my boat was struggling to get RPM's. Wakeboading with 8 people in the boat was impossible. I think it took me about 2-3 minutes to reach 20mph.

I was able to wakeboard nicely with 6 people and putting most of the people in the bow. At this point I was planing and reaching 20mph in about 15-20 seconds.

Of course, I immediately thought to myself I need a better prop.

Also, something else I realized is that I probably need a stainless steel prop - because I am taking my boat to the California Delta most of the time these days. There is a lot of foliage in the water there (at the Delta) and it would be nice to have a Stainless Steel prop as it chew right through it.

I read in these forums (http://www.clubsearay.com/forum/showpost.php?p=262126&postcount=158) that someone with a 2006 version of my boat bought a "Powertech ELE 4 blade 15x17 SS prop" and his WOT went to 4900. Would this be safe enough on my 2008? While I am sure that I would never damage my motor by over revving, I am concerned about "other" people who might be driving my boat when I am not there. I would prefer to get a prop that is safe at WOT.

So in essance I want a prop that has a fast hole shot (even with a pretty loaded boat), versatile enough to handle some elevation, I would like it to be strong (stainless steel), and be able to be run at WOT without damaging the motor.

Am I asking too much from just a prop? Should I be looking at other modifications as well? Any advice/recommendations would be appreciated.

Thank You!

 

[ClearCreekRdr]

Ow yeah, I tried that Mercury configuration page, and it keeps recommending 21' props. I am concerned about the 21' as I feel my boat needs to make faster and more RPM's. Especially at elevation!

 

[Lazy Daze]

You'll be fine at 4,900. I wouldn't make a habit of doing it all the time or for extended periods, but you'll be OK.

 

[40Sundeck240]

Just another point, but isn't it possible to set an engine overspeed alarm with the built in boat electronics?? I'm pretty sure you can, but I dont know if it limits the speed (like a rev limiter in a car) or just sounds an alarm and gives a warning. If it prevents the overspeed you could get whatever prop you wanted for the lower end. Just a thought.

 

[billandamy]

Just another point, but isn't it possible to set an engine overspeed alarm with the built in boat electronics?? I'm pretty sure you can, but I dont know if it limits the speed (like a rev limiter in a car) or just sounds an alarm and gives a warning. If it prevents the overspeed you could get whatever prop you wanted for the lower end. Just a thought.

Hmmm interesting, though I dont know if you can limit it, the alarm sounds right, but actually limiting the rev not sure. SOmeone who has knowledge hopefully will chime in on that.

if just an alarm, I understand what was said....I know I would be mindful of driving at certain rpm's, but even with an alarm, someone else driving my boat wouldnt know what it was or may not be as mindful.

Id rather just stay within my 5k limit by choosing the right prop.

 

[Lazy Daze]

Just another point, but isn't it possible to set an engine overspeed alarm with the built in boat electronics?? I'm pretty sure you can, but I dont know if it limits the speed (like a rev limiter in a car) or just sounds an alarm and gives a warning. If it prevents the overspeed you could get whatever prop you wanted for the lower end. Just a thought.

You're correct, there is an rev limiter (not speed). However, *I think* it's at 4,950. Yeah, not much room to play with -- 50rpms. :smt001

And again, this is just from memory so I could be wrong... but I think the limiter is controlled through the ignition system - stopping the spark. I'm sure someone "more in the know" can confirm/deny.