[Chultman86]

Hey All,
Last year when I pick up my '97 Shabah, it seemed a bit dog-ish getting out of the water. The merc 4.3 runs great. I currently have a 3 blade prob, which has some nicks in it but nothing major. I'm assuming it's the original.
I primarily use the boat for cruising, tubing/skiing/wake boarding, and just running around having fun.
More times than not, I'm in lake michigan. With the occasional weekend trip on a smaller lake.
I'd like to get a 4 blade to help get out of the water when towing or with a load.

I'm looking for suggestions on what kind, the pitch, material. I'd like to go stainless but is it worth the extra bread?

[Paul F]

Do you know how many RPMs you are running at WOT?

[Chultman86]

Not off hand. I think I'd have to run it to see.

[Paul F]

I'm running a 19 inch Stainless on my Talari 180 with a 4.3 2bbl. Top rpm is at 4900.

Ideally you want to be close to 4800 which is the top end for 4.3. I rarely run wide open and I wanted good acceleration for water skiiing and towing. Top speed was 47 to 48mph.

My brother-in law had a 21 inch Stainless on the exact same boat and I'm not sure where he was on rpm, but it was just over 50mph according to his speedometer.

Now that I've added smart tabs and no longer ski due to back issues, I'm considering going to a 21 inch or a 4 or 5 blade prop since I'm mostly just cruising these days.

You can over do on pitch. If your top rpm is below 4600 you are making the engine work harder than it's supposed to. You want to be in the 4600 to 4800 range when it's all said and done.

[Chultman86]

Great info. Thanks.
Is your 19" stainless a 3 blade? What is the pitch? If so did it pop you up out of the water quickly? I'm possibly looking at a 4 blade just for that reason. I'd like better acceleration.
I also don't do much wide open boating. Very occasionally for very limited time periods.

Once again, thanks for the info!

[Paul F]

It's a 3 blade Stilletto. It's 14.25 in diameter and 19 inch in pitch.

Before I bought a new prop, I would install a set of smart tabs.

They are less than $200 and will do wonders for your boat. Better acceleration, smoother ride, lower planing speeds, and will turn like it's on rails.

My 18 footer rides like a much bigger boat because of them. I can stay on plane under 15 miles per hour.

Search these posts for smart tabs and you'll see a ton of positive testimonials.

[Paul F]

Just went back and read your first post.

Are you saying that the performance has changed in the boat from the year before or that you just purchased this boat?

What is the length of your Shabah?

[Chultman86]

Just purchased last spring.
19'

Smart tabs are the way to go huh? I'll check them out. Easy to install?

[Paul F]

I'm no mechanic and I installed mine.

You'll want to go with the 60lb struts for your boat.

Once you get them set up, that's when I would evaluate the prop situation. There should be a number stamped on your prop indicating the pitch. Do you know what it is?

[Chultman86]

Sounds good, I just looked them up, not too bad. That's what I'll start with. I bet that will make all the difference.
I don't know the number, I'll check when I get home. I'd like to replace the prop regardless because of the nicks. I could probably just go with a 3 blade, OEM.
Thanks Again!