i have a 2006 185 sport with a 3.0 and would like to put a nice stainless prop on it...would i stick with the original 19 pitch???
and what would be a good brand of a prop to buy????
don't do a whole lot of sking but kids could soon
Try to help here... what is the rated max WOT on your engine? Do you reach that with the 19? Is that with your typical load - people fuel, etc.?
Based on my experience going from aluminum to stainless...
If you reach max WOT with the 19 and plan to ski at all, then I would probably stay with a 19 degree stainless. If you are simply cruising, may be able to go to a 21. Keep in mind that even if kids come soon, it will be plenty of time before they are skiing, and the 21 would easily pull a tube.
I had a 15 aluminum and purchased both a 15 and 17 stainless. When I am out with the family - no guests, I used the 17 - get better fuel economy for normal cruising and more top end if I want to open it up. If I have guests, I switch out to the 15 - as the increased load puts me at the bottom of rated WOT for my engine.
My 99 190 came with a 3 blade 19' aluminum prop from the factory. I upgraded to a High Five stainless prop and stayed with a 19 pitch because we do lots of wakedboarding. Mt hole shot improved considerably, but I lost a bit of top end. I can still hit 4600 RPMS, and my top speed dropped from around 52 MPH to around 47ish, which is plenty fast for me and my crew.
What it all boils down to is your priorities. That alone will determine what prop works best for you.
