kd4pbs wrote:
I'm guessing a 17" pitch. Use a prop calculator to make sure, but you should be well in the ballpark with your power and weight. You might even do with a 19". I also have read that there is a prop exchange program that Mercury does offer, but I know nothing about it other than they'll let you "borrow" the prop to find the correct size.
My '87 Galaxy Weekender 2100 (21' cuddy cabin) had a 230 HP 305 in it. The 17" pitch high-five was perfect for it, and it would yank my fat ass right out of the water on a wakeboard easily. Same prop worked beautifully on my '96 Signature 24 cruiser with a 260 HP 350. Compared to the stainless 19" pitch 3-blade, it was like adding 100 horsepower for everything but top end, which wasn't too worse off.
Someone posted recently (I think it was Ric) a comparison article from a boating test magazine where the high-five won in every category except top speed. My experience would agree. I think they even used a boat very similar to your setup.
Craig-o wrote:
No doubt, a SS will give you better power due to less flex; and there are lots of prop-selector calculators that can help you make your selection of an appropriate diameter and pitch.
Not to be a wet blanket on the stainless steel prop selection, but there is something else that you might consider when replacing a prop - damage. What bodies of water are you boating in, and what it the likelihood of hitting anything submerged? I am in rivers and man-made reservoirs 90% of the time, and there are lots of submerged objects that cannot be seen - and by the time the depth gauge picks up a submerged log or rock, I'm already past it (or wors, I've already hit it.) If your aluminum prop has some dings or chips in it, you have hit something and possibly not even realized it. If you replace with a SS prop, you're going to strengthen the last link in the chain that is your drivetrain. Now, I'm not saying that if you hit something with a SS prop that it will crush your outdrive and leave your SS prop unscathed, but you should consider this in your selection.
More than 6 years ago, I selected a composite 4-blade prop from Piranha as a good compromize for my 2001 H180 4.3. I typically have 4-6 adults in the boat, and it'll pull me up on a slalom ski (~200 lbs) with ease. It gives me a better hole-shot without sacrificing top-speed compared to the 3-blade aluminum, but is still the weak-point in my drivetrain. It's much easier to replace a prop (or in my case, one blade of the prop) than repairing something in the outdrive. Unintended consequences...
Just some food for thought.
Craig what was the pitch on your 4 blade Piranha?
I have heard of the breaking outdrive on the SS props. Always scared me also due to being in man made lakes from rivers. However I typically only stay in the channels periodically venturing into coves, but am trimmed up very high. And always try to be consious of depth and going low speed. Rocks do worry me.
ric wrote:
Props have hubs designed to give way in case you hit something. That's an old wives tale that a stainless can damage your drive.
Thank you for the clarification Ric, I have also heard there are built in "failsafes" now. Would this be in my older boat?
Thanks you for the great responses gentlemen!
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