overpropped with stock 21p vengeance 50.1mph@4400 rpm@800lbs load

[adamgll]

Details: 185 sea ray sport 4.3 mpi 1.62 gears with 21p vengeance

Took the boat out to do some testing and with 800lbs of people managed to hit 50.1mph on the gps (55mph indicated).

I find the top speed is not bad considering the boat was loaded, however the rpm would not go past 4400rpm, no matter how high it was trimmed.

I also notice on the 195, 205 sea ray uses 19p.

Under light load wake boarding I also find the boat is extremely sluggish off the line.

Now I guess I have few options, I do have some rpm's left at the top, idealy I'd like my new prop to be able to hit the upper rpm range 4600-5000 and pull a bit harder everywhere. (even with light load, boat won't go past 4400rpm)

what do u guys suggest?

19p vengeance? 21p high five?

I am hoping and figuring my top speed won't change to much because now I figured I am slightly over propped. and any speed i do loss will more or less be gained with few more rpms' spinning up top.

Thanks!

p.s. I am annoyed at sea ray for picking this prop to be an "ideal all around performer" when it's clearly not.

 

[PMC]

Details: 185 sea ray sport 4.3 mpi 1.62 gears with 21p vengeance

Took the boat out to do some testing and with 800lbs of people managed to hit 50.1mph on the gps (55mph indicated).

I find the top speed is not bad considering the boat was loaded, however the rpm would not go past 4400rpm, no matter how high it was trimmed.

I also notice on the 195, 205 sea ray uses 19p.

Under light load wake boarding I also find the boat is extremely sluggish off the line.

Now I guess I have few options, I do have some rpm's left at the top, idealy I'd like my new prop to be able to hit the upper rpm range 4600-5000 and pull a bit harder everywhere. (even with light load, boat won't go past 4400rpm)

what do u guys suggest?

19p vengeance? 21p high five?

I am hoping and figuring my top speed won't change to much because now I figured I am slightly over propped. and any speed i do loss will more or less be gained with few more rpms' spinning up top.

Thanks!

p.s. I am annoyed at sea ray for picking this prop to be an "ideal all around performer" when it's clearly not.

Personally I rather be on the high side of the WOT range. After you load up fuel, gear, passengers this number is going to change.

Here are the specs for merc power combos. Although on the low side, you are within tolerance on the power band.

The general rule of thumb for prop pitch is:
-+1" of pitch adds / reduces ~150-200 RPM

Based on how you want to used the boat, suggests prop configuration. A good local prop shop will be able to match one for you.

Your top end speed sounds good, comparing to the 185 with the 190HP, I was hitting 50MPH @4800.


What is the WOT RPM / MPH on the boat without being loaded heavy?

 

[hblock72]

I have a 185 sport with 4.3 TKS (190hp) and I do mostly wakeboarding and watersports. I replaced my stock aluminum 23P 3 blade prop with a 21P stainless high five. It is the ultimate prop for holeshots. I lost about 3 mph on the top end (gps verified 50 to 47), which is no big deal to me since I never run WOT anyway. With just my wife and I and 1/2 tank of gas on a glass smooth lake trimed as much as possible, I can just " tickle" the rev limiter. I don't think my tach reads very accurate at high rpms, so be cautious of that.

 

[mvoellinger]

First thing is to verify your tach is accurate (photo tach it).

 

[adamgll]

Personally I rather be on the high side of the WOT range. After you load up fuel, gear, passengers this number is going to change.

Here are the specs for merc power combos. Although on the low side, you are within tolerance on the power band.

The general rule of thumb for prop pitch is:
-+1" of pitch adds / reduces ~150-200 RPM

Based on how you want to used the boat, suggests prop configuration. A good local prop shop will be able to match one for you.

Your top end speed sounds good, comparing to the 185 with the 190HP, I was hitting 50MPH @4800.


What is the WOT RPM / MPH on the boat without being loaded heavy?

I too would like to be on the upper end of the rpm, at least 4700rpm. The ocean was calm again and manged to hit 52mph @ 4500rpm with 400lbs of load and half tank. Keep in mind the only way to get it to 4500rpm was trimmed up really high and the boat began to porpoise side to side. The rpm wont go past 4100rpm if trimmed all the way down.

I have a 185 sport with 4.3 TKS (190hp) and I do mostly wakeboarding and watersports. I replaced my stock aluminum 23P 3 blade prop with a 21P stainless high five. It is the ultimate prop for holeshots. I lost about 3 mph on the top end (gps verified 50 to 47), which is no big deal to me since I never run WOT anyway. With just my wife and I and 1/2 tank of gas on a glass smooth lake trimed as much as possible, I can just " tickle" the rev limiter. I don't think my tach reads very accurate at high rpms, so be cautious of that.

How is the wake of the hi5? any different from 3 blade? does it ressenble the wake of a v-drive. i.e. mastercraft? how did ur rpm change from the 23p 3 blade to the 21p 5 blade?

First thing is to verify your tach is accurate (photo tach it).

I don't know what is up with my temp gauge but it reads 10f too high, either the thermostat is gonzo, or the gauge is messed. the boat is brand new with 22hrs. Unfortunatly i dont have access to a photo tach but would be handy.

 

[Sluggo33]

How is the wake of the hi5? any different from 3 blade? does it ressenble the wake of a v-drive. i.e. mastercraft? how did ur rpm change from the 23p 3 blade to the 21p 5 blade?

Unfortunately, the prop has little (if anything) to do with the wake. It's all about hull design and ballast. Your 185 will never pull or put out a wake like a v-drive. Mastercrafts, Malibus, Moombas etc are specifically designed to produce those wakes and pulling conditions, not to mention set up with some sort of "perfect pass". I hope a salesman didn't tell you otherwise to make a sale.

My best advice to you to get some fat sacs and go out with someone that has experience in pulling people with I/O's. My buddy pulled on a I/O for years before he got his Malibu. The problem with pulling with the I/O's is you're constantly fighting the throttle and messing with the trim to get the "wash" out of the wake. He said you'll never be able to get a wake as "crisp" (and large) as a v-drive out of an I/O. Just the nature of the beast. But my argument to that is I'll never have the payment either. LOL!

So go out and practice practice practice.

Good luck!

P.S.~If you're shopping for a prop still, I have a 14.125"x20P 4-Blade Apollo that's like new for $200. It's not a hi5, but it's not $500 either. It's almost a perfect combination for 2 or 3 in the boat and pulling a boarder, however I usually have 4 or 5 in the boat and pulling me (230-240lbs) so I needed to drop down to the 18P.