1999 Searay 180BR Prop Upgrade Info - Please

Well, you're already running a smaller pitch so I assume you're comfortable with the higher RPM's for a given speed and are OK with watching out that you don't over rev. I'm not sure if it will make a difference one way or the other. The only way to know is to try it. When I had a 180BR I tried out a whole bunch of props - this was many years ago (year 1999) before I knew about Smart Tabs (I wasn't about to spend the money on a full-on hydraulic tab setup for that little boat). I settled on a 4-blade 18" Merc prop and was very happy with the hole shot. Gave me a max of about 34/35mph - but I used it only when I was skiing with buddies.
 
Scottbenson said:
I bought the same 180 bow rider (2001) with the 3.0 that you have. I went through about 10 propellers until I settled on the Mercruiser High-5. I have both a 19 and a 21 pitch. The 19 pitch is my main prop and I use it for general cruising and also a lot of watersport activities. It was bar far the smoothest prop with the best hole shot.

It's main for me is the ability to keep on a plane at minimum speed which makes pulling skiers or tubes much easier and forgiving for less experienced drivers. I only gave up about 2 mph on the top end, but it was well worth it.

I am also going to purchase a 17 pitch High five for when I have a fully loaded boat. I normally have about 5 people in the boat with the 19 pitch. Just last weekend, I pulled myself (220 lbs) and my wife (135 lbs) together on skis which was a first.

I use the 21 pitch down at Lake Powell for cruising and minimal water sports. With the High five props, you only lose the top end slightly when you are very lightly loaded. If you are heavily loaded, you won't notice any difference in top end.

A lot of people say this prop is primarily for watersports, but I have a lot of real experience with this set up and I would beg to differ. It is a smooth running prop all around and gave me the best performance over all types of tested three and four bladed aluminum and stainless Mercruiser props I tested last year. It's not a big deal to buy used props on E-bay and then re-sell them if you don't like the results. That is what I did before I ended up with my choice of prop.
Click to expand...
Hi Scott, is your high five 19p a 13.25 diameter? I’ve just been offered a ss 13.25 19p very cheap in immaculate condition! currently I’ve got a 3 blade ss 14.25 19p
 
Scottbenson said:
I bought the same 180 bow rider (2001) with the 3.0 that you have. I went through about 10 propellers until I settled on the Mercruiser High-5. I have both a 19 and a 21 pitch. The 19 pitch is my main prop and I use it for general cruising and also a lot of watersport activities. It was bar far the smoothest prop with the best hole shot.

It's main for me is the ability to keep on a plane at minimum speed which makes pulling skiers or tubes much easier and forgiving for less experienced drivers. I only gave up about 2 mph on the top end, but it was well worth it.

I am also going to purchase a 17 pitch High five for when I have a fully loaded boat. I normally have about 5 people in the boat with the 19 pitch. Just last weekend, I pulled myself (220 lbs) and my wife (135 lbs) together on skis which was a first.

I use the 21 pitch down at Lake Powell for cruising and minimal water sports. With the High five props, you only lose the top end slightly when you are very lightly loaded. If you are heavily loaded, you won't notice any difference in top end.

A lot of people say this prop is primarily for watersports, but I have a lot of real experience with this set up and I would beg to differ. It is a smooth running prop all around and gave me the best performance over all types of tested three and four bladed aluminum and stainless Mercruiser props I tested last year. It's not a big deal to buy used props on E-bay and then re-sell them if you don't like the results. That is what I did before I ended up with my choice of prop.
Click to expand...
Hi, I am currently out on the boat as we speak and I had a 14.25 x19p which was running around 4400 to 4800 I have just upgraded to a high five 13 x 19p and the acceleration is amazing at getting out the hole but at full acceleration and trimmed out my REVS are far to high 5200!
Any advice on this please. thanks
 
Mike 180 said:
Hi, I am currently out on the boat as we speak and I had a 14.25 x19p which was running around 4400 to 4800 I have just upgraded to a high five 13 x 19p and the acceleration is amazing at getting out the hole but at full acceleration and trimmed out my REVS are far to high 5200!
Any advice on this please. thanks
Click to expand...

That standard prop would have been a 21" which would yield right around 4,800... maybe 5,000 if you really pushed it with a light load. "4,400 to 4,800" is a wide range - what was the exact max RPM with a light load? Either way, that is below what you should be seeing with a 19". Possibly you're not using the trim correctly?

As I mentioned above, the benefits you're seeing from the Hi5 (or any SS, for that matter) are simply from the lower pitch - the 4cyl just isn't strong enough to fully take advantage of a SS prop because of the extra weight. Also, as I mentioned, running a smaller pitch causes exactly what you are seeing - higher revs at WOT - that's how it works, there's no way around that.

I'm not really sure what you're asking here as it seems like it's already been discussed. Is there something new you were asking?
 
My question was that it was mentioned that a high 5 13x19p ss prop is a great all round prop For the 3.0 180 bowrider 135hp but from my experience today it’s over revin the engine! 2 adults calm sea trimmed out at max power I was getting 35mph at 5200 REVS that’s too much! Great hole shot And for towing but not as an all round prop!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Forum statistics

Threads
113,120
Messages
1,426,613
Members
61,037
Latest member
wojozobl
Back
Top