2004 Sport 185 best cheap 4 blade props?

[nittany08]

I purchased a 2004 185 sport with the 4.3l 190 hp V6 last year and I'm looking to buy a new prop for it. It came with two props, a 19p and a 17p (both 3 blade AL props) but they do not have nearly enough pitch as I can over rev it with the 19p on and I'm only hitting 41 mph. I'm looking to purchase a cheap 4 blade prop as a trial to see if I can keep the initial acceleration I have, and maybe gain some top speed over my current setup. But I don't know what brand/model 4 blade Aluminum props are good in the $100-$200 price range, and what size/pitch to get. So let me know what brand/model and pitch Aluminum 4 blade props you would recommend in the $100-200 price range

 

[dlvwill]

What is your max rpms's with the 19p and what is its diameter, mfr, or part number?

 

[Lazy Daze]

If you're purchasing a cheap prop as a trial only (as it sounds like you are saying), it's not going to really help you with your final prop purchase since not all props are created equal. There is a reason some props are "cheap". Estimating based on info mentioned above will be just as accurate. Prop Gods is a good reference. The prop matrix (if it's up to date) on Sea Ray's website will tell you the original - probably a 21p.

And... gaining acceleration and ALSO gaining top end speed are typically at opposite ends of the spectrum. Can't have your cake and

EDIT... forgot the "eat it, too!" part...

 

[nittany08]

If you're purchasing a cheap prop as a trial only (as it sounds like you are saying), it's not going to really help you with your final prop purchase since not all props are created equal. There is a reason some props are "cheap". Estimating based on info mentioned above will be just as accurate. Prop Gods is a good reference. The prop matrix (if it's up to date) on Sea Ray's website will tell you the original - probably a 21p.

And... gaining acceleration and ALSO gaining top end speed are typically at opposite ends of the spectrum. Can't have your cake and

Thanks Lazy.I looked into the prop matrices on the SR site but was unable to find them. I'll look into prop gods for more info. From reading on the forums I was the also thinking the boat probably came with a 21p or 23p. 21p would make more sense

 

[nittany08]

What is your max rpms's with the 19p and what is its diameter, mfr, or part number?

It's a 14.25 x 19p prop and I believe it's a Mercury or Quicksilver prop from the looks of it. I can't say what the 17p is as it's up in my attic right now. With 2 people and a 30# child I hit 5000 rpm on the tach

 

[dlvwill]

Mercury Nemesis 8M0055536 14X21 Looks like you can find for ~$134 online

 

[nittany08]

Thanks dlvwill!

 

[Lazy Daze]

According to the books I have, it looks like a 23" was standard. Doesn't mean you can't use a 21" to retain a better hole shot - but you'll lose a little on the top end (compared to the 23") and you'll simply have to manage your throttle to avoid over revving.

 

[Scott06]

If you are overreving with a 19? Try a Michigan vortex 4 blade in a 20" pitch. I had great luck with them great holeshot, lower planning speed, stern lift.

 

[SCJeep]

There is one piece of the puzzle that no one has addressed; drive ratio. In order to truly determine how your boat is performing you need the pitch (19), rpms (4800), speed (GPS 41mph?), and your drive ratio (1.62, 1.81, ...). I had a 2010 185 Sport with the 4.3 (190hp) and ran a 19, it was a quick boat. With that combination you should easily be reaching 45+mph depending upon your drive ratio. I can also tell you that I run Black Max 19 on my current boat (21 SPX w/ 4.3MPI) and can hit 45 mph with family in the boat, my boat is much heavier than the 185. Either you have a low gear ratio (high altitude) or the 19 pitch prop is not of good quality and is slipping a lot.

Before I sold my 185 I had purchased a 4 Blade Michigan Wheel Vortex XHS. P/N 992204 19x20 4 Blade but never got to run it on my 185. I tried it once on my 21 SPX but it did not perform good (was a dog), not enough pitch. I have this prop basically sitting new in the box if you are interested.

 

[nittany08]

Sorry for not updating everyone. Got busy and forgot all about this post. I took dlvwill's advice and got the nemesis 14x21. Top speed is now 43mph and possibly more as I haven't had it out on smooth water yet. The hole shot did not decrease at all and the boat now holds significantly better in turns. SCJeep it's a 1.81 outdrive ratio. Thanks everyone for your help! Now I just need to convince the wife to let me upgrade to a stainless prop next year

 

[SCJeep]

So it looks like typically a 4.3(190hp) gets the 1.81 ratio and 4.3 MPI (220hp) get the 1.62 ratio. You are limited by your drive ratio of 1.81. Stock prop should have been a 14.25 x 21p. With that combo at 4800 rpms and 0 slip the max speed you can theoretically reach is ~52mph. Realistically if you were looking at ~10% slip you would be looking at 47 mph. I have the Nemesis 14x19 in my boat and by my calculations I get ~12.5% slip at WOT.