185 sport prop selection

P

puckyou

New Member
Mar 31, 2011
24
Lake Wallenpaupack
Boat Info
2004 Sea Ray 220 Select
Engines
350 Mag w/Bravo III Drive
So the black stock prop on my 185 sport has seen better days. What is everyone else using on a 185 sport, 4.3L, 190hp.

Looking for better hole shot and all around better performance in a SS prop.

Ideas?
 
Going to SS from aluminum in the same size and pitch will net better performance from the start. It may or may not be enough for what you want though. Drop down a pitch size for better hole shot (you're probably at 21" right now, so try out a 19"). Move up to a High Five for significant changes - better hole shot, lower top speed.
 
Since we seem to be in the same boat here (pun intended) I'm wondering about my props too. I've had my 2005 for one season. I got two props with the boat, the first is the stock 21p 3 blade aluminum prop and the second is a 17p 3 blade SS Vengeance prop. My boating varies widely in elevation. When at the low altitude lake (200 ft above sea level) I've been using the 21p aluminum and when at high altitude (5200 ft) I use the 17p SS prop. With the 17p at elevation I get about 4500 rpm and 30-35 mph at WOT with 5 people in the boat. The aluminum prop must be much less efficient because even at low altitude I don't get much better than that. I haven't tried the 17p at low altitude. Maybe I should just stick with the 17p all the time or get a different prop which might work adequately at both altitudes. It is kind of a pain changing props back and forth. Any advice?
 
17p seems pretty small, but should provide excellent hole shot. For reference, I have a 19" SS Vengeance and run 4600-4800 at WOT and can hit right above 50mph with 3 people in the boat. With my 19" HighFive, my hole shot is greatly improved (it is most notable while being pulled up on a slalom, not as noticeable while riding in the boat) but my mph is down to around 47 or so with a couple of people in the boat.

FYI, I have a 2005 185 Sport with the 4.3MPI (220HP). My boat came with a 21" SS Vengeance, but she would only run 4200rpm at WOT, so I had them change it out to a 19". I bought the HighFive about 6 months later for skiing purposes. I switch them out depending on what kind of boating trip I am expecting on any given weekend (more people = HighFive).
 
Do you think the 190 hp 4.3 can use the 19" HighFive or would it need to be 17"?
 
I think the 19" would be a good choice. It should allow you to increase speed over the 17", and have roughly the same holeshot.
 
Do you think a prop change might help the porpoising behavior of the boat? As it is I cannot trim the drive up at all without it starting to bounce. It doesn't matter if there is anyone is in the front or not and it happens in smooth water too. I have to leave it all the way down at all times. It can get quite violent if even trimmed up a small amount.

Chris
 
Mine did that most of the time as well, unless it was smooth out, and then I could only trim up a little before it would start bouncing. I installed a set of Smart Tabs that completely eliminated the problem. I wish I had installed them the day I bought the boat. It really is a night and day difference. Check this posting out for some information. This isn't my boat, but they are installed exactly the same on mine.

http://clubsearay.com/showthread.php/31250-How-did-you-mount-your-Smart-Tabs?highlight=smart+tabs+sx

Search for smart tabs on this board and you'll find enough info to give you a headache, and keep you busy for days. Do yourself a favor though, go ahead and order them BEFORE you read all of this, because you will be adding them before you get done anyway.
 
Thanks, I had already read through them a few months ago and was planning to order some soon!

The SX version installed OK on the curved transom?

Chris
 
Yes, but you can't adjust it with the adjustment holes. I still prefer the look and feel of the SX version over the standard SS, even though they are not adjustable.

I would still think about changing props as well, though. 17" just seems too small for your boat; you should be seeing speeds well above 35 with the 4.3. See if any prop shops will 'lend' you a prop to try out. Try a 19" and 21" and see what you like the best.
 
Which cylinders do you have installed? I like the looks of the SX version better too.

Very few shops around. Chico doesn't even have a marine supply anymore. I have to get most things online. There is only one shop that will even work on boats and he has a 1-2 month wait, I can get parts from him though. I might just go with a 19" high five. Absolute top speed is not that important, we are more into skiing and wakeboarding. The lakes we usually go to are only about 3 miles long.
 
I have the 40lb cylinders on the smart tabs. I've tried the 20, but the 40 seem to work better. I think you'll be pleased with the 19" HighFive. I got mine online about 6 years ago for a decent price. I rarely use the original 3 blade anymore; mostly when it's just the wife and I and we aren't going to be doing any skiing (which only happens about once a year).
 
What's the diameter of the High Five prop? 13 1/4", is that the right size?
 
Last edited:
After looking around, I guess the smaller ones are for outboards. I can find a new HighFive on ebay for $529 (no used ones out there right now) but I can find the Quicksilver QST5 for $429 new. Some quick research shows they are the same prop just without HighFive stamped in the side.
 
I have the same boat, only 2004 vintage, 4.3L 190hp, it came new with 14X23 aluminum prop, I was also probably the first to go with Smart Tabs, I have the SS version, SX had not came out yet, I use the 60lb actuators, my mounting is close but slightly different. I bought them with 80lb, could not get the bow out of the water, Called John a Nauticus, he swapped for the 60's. Best money ever spent on the boat. I later wanted to change props to see if I could get more speed, I bought a Turning Point 14 1/4 X23, could not get wot, cruise speed picked up about 5 mph, TP swapped for a 14 1/4X21 and that is what I run now. With me, wife and gear for the day, bimini up, 49 mph at 5000. The stainless tabs allow for better mounting angles, they are drilled so you can put the tab adjusting bracket to the rear of the tab and that allows the top mount to come down lower. I personally like the stainless look better. I believe Jim sells Smart Tabs in his BOE store, when I can I like to support the store because that is where this site was first funded and still is with the help of some of the members and their donations.
Should you want to see my setup click on the wikispaces link in my signature
 
cmassa said:
After looking around, I guess the smaller ones are for outboards. I can find a new HighFive on ebay for $529 (no used ones out there right now) but I can find the Quicksilver QST5 for $429 new. Some quick research shows they are the same prop just without HighFive stamped in the side.
Click to expand...

I thought the quicksilver version did not have the PVS(performance vent system).
This works great for fine tuning your holeshot as you can change the diameter of the vent holes in the prop to increase or decrease exhaust gasses around the prop blades. The prop spins up much faster in the bubbles allowing a less powerful engine to get into it's powerband and get the boat moving. 19 pitch Hi-Five on my old 220hp 4.3mpi 195 with the medium vent plugs worked great!
 
I have a 2004 185 Sport with the 4.3L (190 hp) and run a 4-bladed Powertech (ELE4) 14.5 x 19. Hole shot is great and WOT is 4600 RPMs @ 46 mph (GPS)
 
Hey, I have the same issue as you, I have a 2009 sea ray 185 sport with the 4.3mpi 1.62. It came with a 21' pitch and it has a hard time getting past 4400rpm trimmed up. I would like to switch to a 19p vengeance. How much better was your holeshot with the 19p? I also have smart tabs waiting to go in. Do you have the 190hp or the 220hp version? what drive ratio?



TexasA&M said:
17p seems pretty small, but should provide excellent hole shot. For reference, I have a 19" SS Vengeance and run 4600-4800 at WOT and can hit right above 50mph with 3 people in the boat. With my 19" HighFive, my hole shot is greatly improved (it is most notable while being pulled up on a slalom, not as noticeable while riding in the boat) but my mph is down to around 47 or so with a couple of people in the boat.

FYI, I have a 2005 185 Sport with the 4.3MPI (220HP). My boat came with a 21" SS Vengeance, but she would only run 4200rpm at WOT, so I had them change it out to a 19". I bought the HighFive about 6 months later for skiing purposes. I switch them out depending on what kind of boating trip I am expecting on any given weekend (more people = HighFive).
Click to expand...
 
midway said:
I have the same boat, only 2004 vintage, 4.3L 190hp, it came new with 14X23 aluminum prop, I was also probably the first to go with Smart Tabs, I have the SS version, SX had not came out yet, I use the 60lb actuators, my mounting is close but slightly different. I bought them with 80lb, could not get the bow out of the water, Called John a Nauticus, he swapped for the 60's. Best money ever spent on the boat. I later wanted to change props to see if I could get more speed, I bought a Turning Point 14 1/4 X23, could not get wot, cruise speed picked up about 5 mph, TP swapped for a 14 1/4X21 and that is what I run now. With me, wife and gear for the day, bimini up, 49 mph at 5000. The stainless tabs allow for better mounting angles, they are drilled so you can put the tab adjusting bracket to the rear of the tab and that allows the top mount to come down lower. I personally like the stainless look better. I believe Jim sells Smart Tabs in his BOE store, when I can I like to support the store because that is where this site was first funded and still is with the help of some of the members and their donations.
Should you want to see my setup click on the wikispaces link in my signature
Click to expand...

Was that a turning point hustler? how did you like against the black max?

Was was your top speed and rpm with the original prop and the 23 tp?

Looking for an alternative to the 21P vengeance that can help top end 1-2mph and holeshot. (must be 3 blades)
 
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