www.iFourWinns.com

I have a 2004 180 Freedom with the Merc 5.0L 220 HP. It has the standard aluminum 14.25x21 prop. Spec's indicate top speed of 51-54. I can't get mine above 47 mph at optimized trim. I've considered buying a stainless prop for general improved performance.

Any thoughts regarding attaining higher top speed - at a minimum getting to the performance in the spec's? Hole shot power seems pretty strong, but I am interested in improving that also. This is my first boat, second season. I don't have a lot of experience experimenting with props. Any high level thoughts regarding performance and what prop configuration might be good for this boat would be appreciated. Thanks.

Yeah, SS sould get you closer. Stick with the same pitch. If you have good RPM, Gear Ratio and GPS speed data for multiple props, try this Prop Slip Calculator. You should be able to fiddle around and find the prop pitch optimized for you and your specific boating needs.

Case in point, most of the guys here running my boat and engine combo are getting around 60 mph. I hit the rev limiter at 52 mph, because I like the wicked hole shot of the 5 blade SS.

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Walt B
"Debt-Charged"
Black '07 H210SS
6.2L Bravo One turning a 21P HIFive
Wakeboard Tower with Perfect Pass Stargazer version
Missouri River; Kansas City, Mo.

Do you boat where there are rocks and shallow areas, if so you might want to stay with aluminum....

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88 Four Winns 200 Horizon
4.3 OMC Cobra-4bbl
2002 Walker Bay 10/2012 Suzuki 2.5
2008 Walker Bay 8

1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.0/Selectrac
2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.7 Hemi/Quadradrive II

I hit stumps and shallows EVERY OUTING. I had to get an alum prop rebuilt every year. Since changing to SS about 6 years ago, never had one ding I couldn't get with a file.

Oh and the lower unit.... The hub insert WILL protect it... I've mangled at least one hub insert, and even took a big chunk out of the skeg, but never damaged the internals.

_________________
Walt B
"Debt-Charged"
Black '07 H210SS
6.2L Bravo One turning a 21P HIFive
Wakeboard Tower with Perfect Pass Stargazer version
Missouri River; Kansas City, Mo.

That was my first "mod" when I bought the boat! Mine is an 03 Freedom 180.

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2010 Sea Hunt Triton 220 "Big Whiskey"
2003 FW Freedom 180 Volvo Penta 4.3GL/SX-M "It'll Do Four Now" (Sold)
2012 Avalanche LTZ 4X4

I personally have had both aluminum and ss props. The only difference is that ss will take more money out of your wallet and is more likely to get stolen if you leave it parked on the trailer somewhere. I can say from experience that I was hoping for more performance with SS, but this is just not true... I don't boat in shallow water with stumps, but I agree that SS may hold up better there... if you hit *large* rocks, either one of them is going to get torn up...

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2007 FW Horizon 200 5.0GXi/SX-A

My stainless has been dinged (one time) at speed and no idea what hit it. The aluminum prop blades break off or get severly knicked up and have to be replaced. The SS can get fixed. I think I paid $80 to get reconditioned and came back looking brand new. So maybe do the math.

My wot was higher with the SS. I am guessing due to no flex in the blades.

Theft is an issue and I have seen guys take their prop off when left at the marina. Mine is in a garage.

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2010 Sea Hunt Triton 220 "Big Whiskey"
2003 FW Freedom 180 Volvo Penta 4.3GL/SX-M "It'll Do Four Now" (Sold)
2012 Avalanche LTZ 4X4

I can definitely appreciate the durability aspect of the decision. I had both of my aluminum props re-built last year, and did some filing on them myself in between. I typically don't boat in water that has too many rocks, sand bars, stumps, etc... and I (hopefully) learned from some of my mistakes. But prop dings are inevitable, I guess. I wondered whether instead of re-building alum props I would be replacing hubs if I switch to ss, but it sounds like the ss props can take a little abuse without doing real damage to the prop or blowing the hub.

Thanks for the input. Now if normal weather would arrive here in MN I could get out and use the darn thing.