www.iFourWinns.com

Hey guys (gals?)

I am having a hard time maintaining constant wakeboard speed behind our H190. When I am behind the boat, it is hard for the driver to keep it at constant speed (~20-25 mph). For some reason the boat want's to plane out and cruise at ~30-35 mph. Are there any adjustments that can be made. I am running a four bladed prop......would a three blade help? The motor is the 190 hp aspirated volvo penta. I wonder if the fuel injected engines are better at maintaining constant speed? Hmmmm...time to upgrade to a 200SS?

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Matt-

2007 Four Winns H190
Earth First, We'll Mine the Other Planets Later

Do you only have that problem when u are behind the boat? I have a 07 190. Being the main driver I have gotten used to it, and after about 5 min of pulling someone I can find the spot and hold it. I usually pull people at about 20-22 (gps certified) and have no problem holding it, but i have to pay attention to the speedo until I find that spot. Now when I am behind the boat I notice that the speed is up and down constantly. I know its cause the driver is not paying attention to the speed. Long story short, pay attention and you should find that spot.
-Kyle

PS - there is something called perfect pass, expensive but may be worthwhile to look at. Essentially it is speed control either by rpms of speedometer.

I have a '04 180 4.3L and i have the same problem. My kids like to trick ski behind their uncle's nautique when they visit him in upstate NY. That boat has no problem maintaining 18mph which is a good speed for trick. My 180 is right between planing and falling in back off plane in the hole. I have an inexpensive GPS and maintaining that 18 is TOUGH! One hand on the steering wheel, other on the throttle, one eye on the gps, and the other looking for traffic... I still have the stock prop, 3 blade aluminum .. can't even remember the pitch. Spoke with my dealer he is offering up a lower pitch blade as an experiment. I think i might be able to get the rpm/torque up to hold that critical spot between plane and falling off plane... [b]Anyone ever try doing that? [/b] Unfortunately I won't be out this weekend, maybe next. Let you know what I find out.

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2004 180 4.3GL

I thought I replied to this already a few days ago, but it looks like my reply didn't get posted somehow. Weird. I think you have 2 problems.

1. You need to either get a stainless steel prop of the same pitch or consider going to a lower pitched prop (or to a 5 blade prop). This will help you maintain the lower speeds without falling off plane. NOTE: you will sacrifice top-end speed by doing this.

2. You need a new driver or your driver needs to learn how to maintain speed better at 20MPH and "feel" the boat dropping off plane/maintaining low speed and staying on plane. It is not something that is easy for an inexperienced driver to understand.

Solutions? Get a new prop, but that will not correct problem #2. If you don't think your driver is teachable, invest in the new prop and PerfectPass.

Despite having said all of this, know that I/O's can be very difficult to keep on plane at low speeds. You may have a lot of propeller tinkering to do to get it right. The lower HP is working against you a bit, but it CAN be done.

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Paul
2007 Four Winns Horizon 220
Mercruiser 350 Mag MPI w/ Bravo III Drive
2004 Ford Explorer Limited (V8-AWD)
Pomme de Terre Lake (Southwest Missouri)

Here's my 2cents, I/we have a 01 180 4.3L with a tower. I've done a couple of mods that help with the wake and a little bit w/speed. I have a 4 blade 21P prop with the ES300 fin on the cavatation plate. It helps with holding plane at a lower speed, however when taking off at wot, it creates a lot of down force and bow rise, but it settles down once it planes out.
My wife thought we ballast in the boat, cause the wake is real nice, bigger, more solid and steeper! as the posts stated the driver makes a big difference! I'd rather go slower and practice 180's inside to outside wake at 17MPH and tell the driver to speed up, than have the boat go from 19MPH to 30MPH and scream slow down!

Thanks for the replies guys

I think I will try a stainless steal prop first, and see if that works. I will also try and explain to the wife how to feather the throttle back and forth to help maintain speed when she is pulling me.

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Matt-

2007 Four Winns H190
Earth First, We'll Mine the Other Planets Later

I second a lower pitch prop. I just switched mine out and it seems easier to hold a lower speed. I am not sure if switching to a stainless steel prop is going to change anything. As far as I understood it the only diff between an aluminum and stainless was strength. I don't see how it would effect the boat maintaining speed. Maybe someone could school me on this so I can tell the wife why it is better and buy one

SS blades are thinner causing less drag while spinning.

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In addition, the additional strength of the SS allows for less flex in the prop blades. This results in less prop slip, and is basically the equivalent of moving down in pitch with the aluminum blade.

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Paul
2007 Four Winns Horizon 220
Mercruiser 350 Mag MPI w/ Bravo III Drive
2004 Ford Explorer Limited (V8-AWD)
Pomme de Terre Lake (Southwest Missouri)

Norcalrider!

Can you point me in the right direction on the internet to see the ES300 Fin? Google takes me to a lot of Lexus web sites.

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2004 180 4.3GL

Its an SE300

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What was standard on our 2006 200SS boats

What prop do you recommend for best performance

Thanks

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Jeff

2006 Four Winns Yellow Horizon 30th Anniversary 200 SS
2005 Nissan Titan Crew Cab
2004 Ford F-150 Lariat

http://www.seabrook-services.com

According to FWs historical spec sheets the Merc 4.3 190hp with the Alpha used a 13 1/2" x 23" prop.
The Volvo 190hp SX drive used a 14 1/4" x 23" prop.
Everthing else used a 14 1/4" x 21".

See Here:

http://www.fourwinns.net/fastfacts/fast ... 6/200H.pdf

The main page for some often useful historical reference:

http://www.fourwinns.net/

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2008 Four Winns 210 5.7 GI/SX
2007 GMC Sierra 2500 Crew
1966 Fed-Up Wife

I had a tough time, too... my old Bayliner was gutless and easy to keep at speed because large changes in throttle position really didn't make much of a difference. But my H190 is another story.

I've been ignoring the speedo altogether and just setting RPM speed. Right off launch I'll just head to my target RPMs and hold it... the boat planes out and I haven't had problems maintaining.

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2000 Four Winns H190 5.0L with Samson Tower / Nissan Titan CC / Lexus SC430 / Honda CBR954RR

An SE300 is a hydro fin and is not good for your outdrive. I like the stock prop.

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