Prop ideas for a 176BR

[pcoliver]

:smt100Anyone with a 2003 176BR try changing props for skiing, better hole shot? Any suggestions? I believe the standard prop is 14.25 x 21. I have a 3 blade aluminum and also have a 4 blade with the same dimensions. I just purchased the boat and unfortunately have not really noticed much difference between the 2. :huh:
Just starting to learn about props and prop calculators but any feedback is appreciated.

Also, and maybe better as its own thread, but I noticed engine hesitation when going from idle to hole shot and one time the engine actually died at the hesitation. Any ideas what could be causing this?

 

[Nehalennia]

Quicksilver High five Prop. 19" Pitch.

 

[89 Searay 200BR]

14.25x21 4 blade should be abit over propped for you if your factory prop is 14.25x21 three blade. You need to look at your wide open throttle RPM's to determine where you are at. I can't say if the High 5 Nelli recommends will work or not. If you find a prop shop local, they will often loan you a prop to find the right pitch you want. General rule explained to me was, Going from 3 blade to 4 blade drop an inch of the pitch. I believe it is the same with stainless. These props are more effieciant(sp) in the water than 3 blades.

I run a 14.25x18 4 blade and factory prop is 14.25x19 three blade. I do get a better hole shot with the 4 blade, but I don't notice any difference on the top end( i very rarely run WOT). I also notices i don't have as good of control on reverse with the 4 blade verses the 3 blade. Since I rarely run WOT, I as thinking of taking my 14.25x19 and changing it it a 14.25x17 when I have it repared(found a rock off the loading ramp at local lake).

 

[Nehalennia]

OK, I guess what I meant was my Uncle's 3L on a 2000-176 improved a hole shot with the 19" High Five, and I've owned 3 High fives on me 2 other boats.

If like '89SeaRay200BR is suggested is find a prop shop that will loan you a test prop, that is the best way to dial in what you may want.

 

[jhild]

I’m surprised you didn’t see any improvement with the 4-blade. I’m not sure what brand you have, but if it’s a Merc Alpha 4, it should be 14 x 20, not 14.25 x 21. Maybe the difference in this case in negligible?

If you want to improve your hole shot by changing props, Todd gave you some good advice with that High Five.

There are other (possibly more efficient) ways to accomplish the same goal. Five blade stainless steel propellers are heavy and expensive. As an alternative, I’d recommend that you take a look at self-actuating trim tabs (like Smart Tabs.) I’m not suggesting that you abandon your search for a better prop, but at least you can compare a couple different options.


As far as the hesitation is concerned, it could be some old or bad gas. The carbs on those 3.0L can be a bit finicky. In addition to keeping fresh gas in the tank, I found that you can avoid the hesitation/stalling by not pushing the throttle from idle to WOT in one swift motion. If you ease her into about ¼ - 1/3 throttle for a moment, and then drop the hammer, it seems to eliminate the problem. I know that’s not traditionally the best way to get on plane quickly, but it sure beats stalling out.