215 EC/Weekender prop question

[KC WV]

I've got a 97 215 ec with the 5.7L that I bought last year. The prop on the boat was a 14.5x17 alum, but I installed a 14.25x19 ss.

I like cruising just on plane at the 2500 to 3000 rpm range, but the 19p seems to slip and fall off plane once i get just under 3000 rpm. I know the 19p is what is suggested for the boat, but anybody running a different dia on the 19p? I've heard of people putting a 15.5" dia 19 ss to help.

I've also thought about going to a 4 blade for better mid range performance.

Thoughts? Comments?

 

[Nehalennia]

I've got a 97 215 ec with the 5.7L that I bought last year. The prop on the boat was a 14.5x17 alum, but I installed a 14.25x19 ss.

I like cruising just on plane at the 2500 to 3000 rpm range, but the 19p seems to slip and fall off plane once i get just under 3000 rpm. I know the 19p is what is suggested for the boat, but anybody running a different dia on the 19p? I've heard of people putting a 15.5" dia 19 ss to help.

I've also thought about going to a 4 blade for better mid range performance.

Thoughts? Comments?

I think that 19' is right on line. under 3000 I can see it cavitating, but if you go with a larger diameter, you're going to see lower rpms.
My 230OV's sweet spot was about 3100 RPM's and cruised nicelt around 30MPH. Anything lower than 3000 was a crap-shoot for trying to plane(depending on what we had loaded on the boat)

 

[89 Searay 200BR]

Hello, from I have learned about props it sounds like you might be a bit over sized. My 200BR comes stock with a 14x19 prop. I have very reliable marine dealer that tells me if I purchase a stainless prop, I should drop down to an 18. It has something to do with the flex of the aluminum prop and the SS not flexing.

Just my .02

 

[KC WV]

I was wondering if you thought the 14.25 diam ss prop was slipping. I thought it was the right prop too until i saw a boat identical to mine with a 15.5 inch diameter in storage the other day.

I'd like to get a good prop that will work well to keep the boat on plane with the lowest rpm/throttle. I'm also thinking about Bennett Trim tabs to help hold her on plane and correct listing.


Nehalennia-what prop you running on the 230? What's the gear ratio?

 

[Nehalennia]

I was wondering if you thought the 14.25 diam ss prop was slipping. I thought it was the right prop too until i saw a boat identical to mine with a 15.5 inch diameter in storage the other day.

I'd like to get a good prop that will work well to keep the boat on plane with the lowest rpm/throttle. I'm also thinking about Bennett Trim tabs to help hold her on plane and correct listing.


Nehalennia-what prop you running on the 230? What's the gear ratio?

On my 230OV I had a Quicksilver High 5. It was nice but because of the smaller diameter I think it slipped off and cavitated more than I cared for. The High 5 is designed for slightly smaller boats 20 and less.

I have no idea what my gear ratio was on that Alpha I.

Go Here and input your info.
I think with the weight of the boat you have and the 230OV I had you're just not grabbing enough water with the 14.25 Diameter. I think the pitch is correct though.

 

[KC WV]

After doing some more research, I'm debating between a larger diameter 3 blade and a same dia 4 blade in the same pitch. I know your supposed to drop 1 inch in pitch when going to a 4 blade, so i'm considering that too. I'm just looking for the optimum low to mid range performance.

 

[Nehalennia]

After doing some more research, I'm debating between a larger diameter 3 blade and a same dia 4 blade in the same pitch. I know your supposed to drop 1 inch in pitch when going to a 4 blade, so i'm considering that too. I'm just looking for the optimum low to mid range performance.

What did the calculator I posted tell you?

 

[KC WV]

The prop calculator indicated that i needed a 14.25 x 21 3 blade or a 14 x 20 4 blade.

I think I'm going to try the 4 blade.

Do you think the 4 blade, despite the quarter inch drop in diameter, will have more blade surface and reduce slip?

 

[gilchristk]

Not prop specific, but you may find my experience useful. I was dissatisfied with the difficulty my 2001 215EC was having coming on plane. I planned to install trim tabs to rectify, but decided to try an $80 hydrofoil on the Alpha 1 drive before going all out with trim tabs. The results were amazing; the boat now just surges ahead onto plane regardless of load or weight distribution, I can plane 200 rpm lower, and top speed is 2 mph faster. Best $80 I ever spent, and literally a 15 min installation.

 

[KC WV]

She already has the hydrofoil, but I was curious about how much that helped. Sounds like I'd better leave it on.

Do you know what pitch and diameter you were running? What engine?

The 14.25 x 19 seems to be slipping once I back off below 3000 rpm. This prop has a lot of rake and cupping. The blades look narrow. I ran this prop on a smaller boat. I think for the type of performance I'm shooting for, I need a larger diameter, or a 4 blade.

But thanks for the info on the hydrofoil.

 

[garryowen]

you realy need to prop it to your wide open throttle RPM.
any thing else an your over taching or lugging the engine
mark your prop nut and a spot on the prop and make sure it not your hub starting to slip
if the marks line up after a good run your ok there. if they dont you'll need to fix hub or change prop any way

 

[fav1]

gilchristk and kc wv, I have a '96 215 with the 5.7l alpha . I was thinking about adding the hydrofoil as opposed to trim tabs. What type do have on your drive, and do you think it really helps. I looked at the stingray, but wasn't crazy about drilling into the drive. Read some opinions about possibly weakening and damaging the plate.

 

[KC WV]

I've never run mine without it, but Dad has had one on his Searay Alpha drive for over ten years and it's never caused a problem. Although I've never ran mine without it, I wasn't sure how much difference there is, but Dad took his off last year, and ran once before putting it back on. He said it makes a big difference. Mine is a stingray.

It won't correct for prop thrust or listing while underway. But it does improve stern lift and holeshot.

Back to this thread, what pitch and diameter prop are you running on the '96 215?