Prop suggestions for 185 Sport

1

10sport185

New Member
Jul 8, 2013
67
SC
Boat Info
2010 185 sport
Engines
4.3 TKS
I have a 2010 185 Sport with 4.3 TKS, NON EFI so it's the 190 HP version. I had a 19P high five on it and was unimpressed with the performance. It was a little better out of the hole but I lost a ton of top speed and cruising RPM was about 3800 RPM.
I usually have about 2 adults and 2 kids on the boat with some gear. We tube and wakeboard a lot. What props should I be looking for? Any suggestions?
 
Props are always a trade off - top speed vs hole shot. Heavy SS props are also a bit of a trade off, especially on lower HP engines, since it takes a little more power away to spin up the prop. If I were in your shoes (or boat, as it may be!), I would keep your original prop and put a set of Smart Tabs on there. You'll IMMEDIATELY notice the difference in hole shot, yet you won't lose any top end speed. Plus, they'll give a smoother ride in choppy water.
 
Lazy Daze said:
Props are always a trade off - top speed vs hole shot. Heavy SS props are also a bit of a trade off, especially on lower HP engines, since it takes a little more power away to spin up the prop. If I were in your shoes (or boat, as it may be!), I would keep your original prop and put a set of Smart Tabs on there. You'll IMMEDIATELY notice the difference in hole shot, yet you won't lose any top end speed. Plus, they'll give a smoother ride in choppy water.
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By original prop do you mean the high five or the stock 21" or 23" stainless 3 blade or aluminum respectively? Or the high five? I just ask because it sounds like he wants more speed.
 
Speed = 3 blade
Best choice for 3 blade Aluminum: MiWheel Vortex 992005 14-1/4 x 21p
Best choice for SS 3 blade: MiWheel Ballistic 345134 14-3/8 x 21p
Best Choice for holeshot, and minimal WOT speed loss: MiWheel Vortex 4 blade Aluminum 992204 14 x 20p
 
blaster said:
By original prop do you mean the high five or the stock 21" or 23" stainless 3 blade or aluminum respectively? Or the high five? I just ask because it sounds like he wants more speed.
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Original... go back to the aluminum prop that came with the boat. That way he'll retain all of his original speed, but by adding the Smart Tabs he'll ALSO get an incredible hole shot (without the possibility of over-revving the engine that a lower pitched prop could do). Best of both worlds. A prop, by itself, cannot do this. Two props could, but then you're constantly changing props.
 
KnotEasy said:
Apologies to the OP for suggesting props. I thought that was what he was looking for.
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Sarcasm? I don't understand why you're apologizing - you answered his question.

Many people don't know about Smart Tabs, so I thought it would be good to give him so more information so he can make a better decision.
 
KnotEasy said:
Apologies to the OP for suggesting props. I thought that was what he was looking for.
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No apologies, this is what I was looking for. I was hoping someone with a similar boat had gone through this already and had a good suggestion on what to get. I don't have the original 3 blade aluminum prop, it got beaten up by a few rocks so I got the High Five and was unimpressed. I think the 5 Blade may be too much for it. I'm thinking an SS 3 or 4 blade would be good just trying to figure out which one.
 
Are you looking for top speed or holeshot (or something in between)? My 2007 185 w/4.3 TKS came with an aluminum 23 pitch 3 blade prop. With a light load in the boat, it was good for 49.5 mph on my handheld gps. I use my boat mainly for watersports including slalom skiing, and wasn't real happy with the holeshot for popping skiers out of the water. I did some research online, as well as calling my dealer for a recommendation and settled on a SS high five prop in a 21 pitch. My top speed dropped to 47 mph, but the improvement in holeshot was amazing. Since I use the boat for watersports and never run around wide open, this was an easy tradeoff for me. Your situation may be different. I don't think a five blade is too much for your boat, but a 19 pitch may have been your problem with the high five. With the 19p high five, what was your max rpm at wide open throttle? I imagine you'd be into the rev limiter pretty had with that set up. With my 21p high five I can just "tickle" the rev limiter on sooth water with a light load.
 
Yea I was into the rev limiter pretty easily. I'd like to try the 21P HighFive but man are they pricey.
 
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I ended up trying the Michigan Wheel 20P 4 blade and now the hotshot is terrible, takes forever to get on plane. If I'm turning while towing tube or wakeboarder the power fall off dramatically. How the heck did the performance change that much from 1 degree? I'm so confused on which way to go right now.
 
What was the pitch on the stock prop? Assuming, for a minute, that you have the same gear ratio as Hblock, that 20p should have given a VERY good hole shot... Very good.

That hull is actually a VERY "quick" hull. It pops up onto plane very fast. Even with the 4cyl, it does quite well. With the V6, it's a rocket. How are you using the drive trim? I'm curious if there isn't something else going on here - I've run that boat many times and always been VERY good. Something else is going on here - with the props you've tried, your performance is not matching what should be happening. I'm thinking there might be a mechanical issue or user error.

What other boats have you previously owned and/or what boats are you comparing your experience/expectations to?

Smart tabs? Thoughts on that?

Blaster and Hblock brought up a good point that hasn't been answered yet - what, exactly, do you want out of the prop? Hole shot or top end speed?
 
I find that your results hard to believe. I put the same 20p 4-blade prop you have on my 205 for watersports. Holeshot blows away the
3 blade, and I barely lose any top end. Something else is wrong for you to get results like that.
 
Agree with Dennis's comments. I have two 3 blade aluminum propellers for my 185 - a 21p and 23p.

With the boat lightly loaded - usually me and one other person

I use the 21p the most:
Better hole shot
Hits top rpm range - actually bumps the rev limiter of 4950rpm
Little lower top speed - 45mph

23 Pitch:
@300rpm lower - 4600
Less hole shot.
Higher top speed 49mph

I keep the 23p mainly as a spare - I don't like running a propeller that won't allow you to reach the recommended wot rpm. I personally don't see the benefit of a SS propeller on a low hp boat, you can buy three aluminum propellers for the cost of one SS.

I have also found that in the cooler months, you can easily see an additional 200rpm vs the hot humid summer, so a lot of times I will switch over to the 23p for the fall/early spring.

I don't have them, but think smart tabs would be a big improvement on this boat, especially for wakeboarding etc. We don't do a lot of water sports anymore, so not an issue for me. I have a friend with a SkiNautique for that once a year old man slalom run!
 
The guy I bought the prop from said it should be great too! My boat has the 1.81 gear ratio.
This is my first boat so I don't have any direct comparisons other than a friends Bayliner which is about the same size but has the 3.0. His has better get up and is up on plane quickly. I guess user error could be possible but I've tried with trim at different levels and it doesn't really change except for the angle of nose.
The engine runs great, idles smooth, no misfires or anything. I'm baffled.
 
Although I happen to work at a Sea Ray dealership, my post don't center around "sales". I am, foremost, a "boater" and my responses are rooted in that. I've owned many boats (some are listed below), come from a large boating family, and as a result of working in the marine business, also have the added benefit of running/operating many, many other boats. Trust me when I tell you, your boat has a faster hole shot than your friend's Bayliner. Period.

For best hole shot, ALWAYS start off with the trim all the way down. You'll notice you'll get very little bow rise with your hull - but when the bow lifts slightly, then starts coming back down, you can start to trim up a little. Just a little.

There were some other questions raised and unanswered - the more information you can provide, the more myself and others can help. Although I can't speak for others, I'm not very good at reading minds - at least not over the internet...
 
I don't know what prop was on it originally because I bought it used and was told they changed it. My local dealer says it was either 21 or 23 stock. I've been thinking maybe carb gummed up or something. I always run stabil through it before I winterize but these fuels lately do suck. Maybe I'll pull it and see what it looks like.
 
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10sport185 said:
I don't know what prop was on it originally because I bought it used and was told they changed it. My local dealer says it was either 21 or 23 stock. I've been thinking maybe carb gummed up or something. I always run stabil through it before I winterize but these fuels lately do suck. Maybe I'll pull it and see what it looks like.
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Does it bog down or stall? Does it idle OK? Make sure the flame arrester is clean. Somethings not right. If it runs smooth it probably isn't the gas.
 
I agree with everything Dennis has said. I'm pretty sure I have the same gear ratio as you have, so any 20 pitch prop should shoot you outta the hole like a rocket. As already mentioned, it seems like there may be something else going on here. It may be time to seek the help of a local dealer or prop shop to address your issues. Otherwise, you may be throwing money away trying all these different props. A good local shop will keep switching props until you find the right one, so you only have to buy one, which may put you money ahead even when factoring in any labor costs. Their experience may also help identify other factors that may be going on here and help you fix them as well. As Dennis said, the 185 with the 4.3 engine is plenty sporty, so you shouldn't be having this trouble.
 
blaster said:
Does it bog down or stall? Does it idle OK? Make sure the flame arrester is clean. Somethings not right. If it runs smooth it probably isn't the gas.
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it idles smooth, maybe a slight bog but doesn't stall. I'll check the flame arrester too.
 
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