I have the same setup. A 4.3L with a 3 blade 21p ss prop. I would suggest that if you want to get out of the hole, get smart tabs. I just put a set of composite ones on my Barchetta and it gets on plane much quicker. It seems to hold a constant speed better as well. I have also considered going to a 4 blade prop but since I put the tabs on, I like it the way it is. If you decide to get the tabs, get the 60lb. actuators.

I went with a 4 blade Alpha 4 aluminum Merc prop. Works well out of the hold and planes way faster...even with 2 people sitting in the back and none up front. As expected, the downfall is top end which is about 42mph with 4 adult and 2 kids at about 4800-4900 RPM. Overall I am very happy with my choice and I continue to shy away from Smart Tabs as I haven't found anyone yet that is running them and using their boat primarily for wakeboarding. I am told that they flatten out the wake considerable which is good for skiing or tubing but not for wakeboarding.

I use two props. My main cruising prop is a 21P Vengeance (3blade SS). When I want a better hole shot, I put on a 20P 4-blade aluminum prop (Solas or something else "cheap"). I also usually put on the aluminum when going to new lake, especially inland lakes. The 20P 4-blade increases the bite, holeshot, and the RPMs by about 200 (it's my poor man's High Five). It will also be much cheaper to replace after hitting a rock. An 18 might be a little skinny for you boat based on what you have written.

I keep both props on board just in case I need to change one out. I have changed it in deep water without tying anything off, got lucky that nothing sank to the bottom, and saved my outing!

Regards,

You may be right about the flattened wake with the Smart Tabs Kurtis. I took my 14 yr old out wakeboarding on the weekend and noticed that the wake was fairly flat...

In all the posts I've read I have yet to see many people worried about having a big wake...most don't mind a smaller wake. But I think it should be known to those who are considering Tabs that it may affect their watersports experience?

Having said that then, what is the alternative if one is looking for Smart Tab like performance with a big wake? Are we back to Hydrofoils?

Hydrofoils.....uggh. Not sure what other alternatives are out there. It sounds like you cant have your cake and eat it too.... :shakehead:

If you can stay on plane at boarding speed you shouldn't have much concern for tabs. Most reviews I've read have always raved about how decent a Mariah's wake is for boarding. I'm not sure I'd jump to the Smart Tabs and spoil a good thing...

Properly loaded and trimmed, I can get down into the mid 20's with my 21p Vengance and stay on plane without Tabs. l'd like to follow Captain Steve a pick up a 4 blade aluminum for watersports, but the SS prop ate up my prop budget for the season...

Hello Guys,

I have recenlty fitted smart tabs to my 3 litre Mariah 182 bow rider, it is running perfectly well however the prop needs to be changed as l damaged it last time out, l grounded it and took a larg chunk out of it. It is the original aluminium prop, what is the best prop for me to go for? at present l can get 40mph out of her, would a stainless (or different alluminium) prop increase my top end speed if so what is the best to go for?

Cheers,

Gary

Hi Gary,

Do you happen to remember what RPM's you were at during WOT? 40 MPH seems about right for your set-up. Anything that would increase top end will slow you down out of the hole. The Smart Tabs definitely help planing, but you'll still be pushing a lot of water for extended time if you go with a higher pitch prop.

One thing you might want to try is a 4 blade prop one pitch higher than you had. That's usually a good compromise to sustain both ends of the performance spectrum.

A stainless will usually help all around, but I wouldn't suggest it if you have a lot of "opportunities" to hit something submerged. They aren't nearly as forgiving and could cause more damage to the lower unit.

Excellent advice Ryan, Thanks.

The boat yard l store her in said the same thing about the stainless prop and damaging the bottom end if l ground her, l am always using her on Loch Lomond (Scotland) and beaching her to allow the kids and wife to enjoy the lazy days on the islands so l will most certainly be sticking with an aluminium prop, l will see if l can get a four blade the next size up, is the size of the prop written inside the shaft area once it is removed?

Regarding the RPM, this is is the only thing that it is not working on my boat, l wil be repairing the rev counter next time home in August.

Cheers,

Gary.