Need Prop help to get a new one by tomorrow!

B

boostscootinboogie

New Member
Jun 29, 2010
11
CT
Boat Info
1995 Sea Ray 200BR Signature
Engines
5.0L merc
i have a 95 sea ray 200br signature with the 5.0L merc in it with the alpha 1 drive with 307hrs on it. i am looking to get a little more out of the boat all around. i know it is not a speed boat or anything but i know it has to have more. i go out most of the time with 4-6 people and do some tubing and wot crusies so there is a good amount of weight on it. the prop on it is a 19p stock one and it actuallly had a little bend in it when i bought the boat and thought i could feel it but i hit a low spot on the river this weekend and bent the prop even more now that it vibrates a little when i try to go so i think its done. anyways i want to fins out what new prob size and brand is the best way to go for me and will not cost alot. i was told by someone to get a 4 blade 21p or try a 3 blade 21p? this sound right? i do want more top speed but a little down low too would still be nice. let me know what a good combo for this boat is and my set up and also maybe some other cheap tricks to get a little more out of it. thanks
(btw i believe my max rpm might have been 4400 didnt watch it much last time out and i dont know the speed becasue my hose pops off) ....:huh:
 
The 19p sounds like the right one if you're getting 4400 rpm. You could go to a 21p but should be 4 blades. A 3 blade 21 will have trouble getting you out of the hole. There are some props for OMC that have a more elongated blade with slightly larger diameter, haven't seen one for Mercs. Try looking at Michigan Wheel website. If you do find the longer blade stick with the 19p, you will have more torque at low end and get more top end speed.
Good Luck!
oh yeah, get the other one rebuilt and keep it for a spare, never know when you might need it.
 
can't sleep....mind is working overtime :smt101
Personally I prefer Mich Wheel props over Solas but in this case I would go for the 21p. Are you sure MW doesn't have 4 blade in 21p? Going to 21 you will drop about 300-400 rpm but should gain about 5mph. I also don't like running inboard motors over 4000rpm, they're making full horsepower by then anyway so why make them scream?
 
I talked to my buddy today to make sure about the rpm because he goes out with me and he said he remembers it being 4000-maybe 4200. But like I said the prop on there now and at the time the 19p had a bend in one fin so I'm guessing it was not right. But just going off a stock 5.0L with alpha drive and 19p in a 20.6" boat...to get the best all around gain for it with a good amount of people on it go with a 4 blade 21p?

Also I can get ahold of a 21p 3 blade factory merc prop...won't work as good? Not what I want?
 
Well, if you're only getting 4000 than you may want to stick with 19p, even if you go to a 4 blade. General rule of thumb is you will lose 100-150 rpm for every inch of pitch you increase. If you are getting 4000-4200, then you should go for the MW 20p 4 blade.

How bad is the bend in what you have? I've been doing prop rebuilds for 25 years and a "little" bend doesn't change performance alot. If you're getting vibration then it's more than a "liyttle" bend. If you have pieces missing it's a different story. If it's not too bad than take it off and tap it out with a hammer, or as said, take it to a repair shop and get it cleaned up properly. Best to know what you have before getting something different.
 
If your max RPMs with the 3 blade 19p prop are 4400, you definitely don't want to increase pitch any further, no matter how many blades the prop has.

Increasing pitch further will drop your max RPMs out of the recommended range, and you will be "lugging" your engine throughout all RPM ranges.

If you want to try a 4 blade prop, I suggest going to an 18inch pitch prop.
 
I have a 1988 20' Four Winns with the 5.0L too, I run a 19p 3 bladed stainless steel prop and I peak around 3700rpm WOT. If I'm by myself and all trimmed up I can get closer to 3900 and 50mph. As said these motors are making full horsepower by about 3000 rpm so I don't know if I agree with the "lugging" concept. The rated rpm is meant to be a maximum, not necessarily the recommended, just like a "red line" in your car.
I'm curious to know what you end up getting and how it works. Good Luck!
 
Well so the only thing I can get mu hands on local for this week to get back out on the water to get some base #s is a 21 3 blade. It was a good price and the only thing I could get. I figure at least I can get back on the water and figure it out the right way and if I need the 19 back I get mine fixed or buy the right one I need and save the 21 for a back up or sell it. I don't know about friday but deff sat and sunday I plan on going out so I will get some #s and let you all know and go from there. Thanks again
 
3000 rpm is often times an engine's peak torque. Peak horsepower on modern V8's is at least 4000 rpm's and often much higher.

It is extremely important that prop pitch allows the engine to reach the minimum number of the manufacturers recommended WOT range.

I agree that the TOP number of the WOT range should not be exceeded. But it is not good if the minimum number of the WOT range cannot be achieved.

For example, if the engine maker says the WOT range is 4400-4800, and you can only reach 3900 at WOT, you are hurting your engine and overall performance. Prop pitch should be dropped 2-4 inches to allow the engine to rev up easier and hit peak horsepower at WOT.

If an engine is allowed to hit the proper WOT range, the boat will plane easier, carry loads better, and strain less to move the boat at all speeds.

This is not my opinion -- this is well documented info from boat, engine, & prop makers.
 
So I put on a 21p 3 blade I picked up local this past weekend to get back on the water and get some #s and this is how it went. We gpsed it because the mph gauge on the boat seemed a little off. Wot with 4 people tube and stuff on and fuel tank max rpm was 4100-4200 and 40mph topped out. So with those #s what's the best prop to get for me? 3 or 4 blade and what pitch? Thanks
 
Get a 19"P High Five (Merc/Quicksilver)and you'll be very happy. I have had 3 on 3 different boats and it's an excellent prop for your sized and powered boat.
 
I agree that a Hi-Five 19" should work well. I think that an 18" pitch 4 blade prop will work well also.
 
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