[Rdrdon]

That could be a difference, mine's supposed to be 300 hp as well, I've played with props a bit, currently using an Aluminum 4 blade 19p. With a 23p SS 3 blade it took effort to get a skier up.

[95Z212]

Ok guys,
I did the craiglist deal. I found a 3 Blade 14X17 pitch Stainless Steel Quicksilver Prop for $150. I know you guys said it's gonna add 400 more RPM, but I'm the ONLY driver of this boat. This would get me on plane faster correct? If this solves the problem, I would buy a 4 blade 18 or 19 pitch with out a doubt. I just don't want to spend $300-$450 + on a prop to find out its the wrong one... Thanks guys.

[Y-Knot]

Why not use the "try-a-prop" program from Mercury?

Y

[spinks99]

I just bought a 95 Z202 that is equipped with the 5.0 LX 205 horse. It came with a 4 blade stilleto prop. This boat planes as quick or quicker than my Ski Nautique I used to own. Even with 4 adults and 4 kids it is no problem. I think a 4 blade will easily solve your problems. The boat will still run 48 (GPS) with a full load of people. I wonder what it would do with just me in it?

[Douglas Alderman]

I have 214 Jubilee,Deckboat 5.0 engine with aluminum 14x19 3 blade prop with a SE Sport 300 Hydrofoil. With 5 people on board have no trouble getting it up on plan for sking. Using a SS prop of the same size found I lost speed with starts but moved at top end. I checked speed with G.P.S. and loss 3 mph the same distance with SS. Aluminum flexed more on starts.

[z190talari]

Hi guys.I have a 94 z190 talari.Love the boat.Was lucky when I bought it because it came with a 21pitch SS High Five[pretty sure its a 14"]Any way the boat has a 4.3 and it had a pretty basic looking hydrafoil.This boat gets up on plane right now.Even with 8 people in it it gets on plane pretty quick.I'd have to say that very seldom does the nose of the boat ever get high enough that I can't see where I'm driving even when taking off.With 2 people I think it would probably hit 5000 rpm[never tried it but its still picking up rpm's when it nears 4800] I've traded with a friend and tried his aluminum 21&23 pitch and even a 19 but nothing I've been able to try compares with the high five for getting on plane or even for top speed.I also tried a SS 21 pitch that was respectable but no High Five.I've since replaced the hydrafoil with trim tabs.With the hydrafoil the boat would list real bad if you overloaded one side.Big improvement!A friend put a High Five on his Bayliner and said it also made a big improvement getting on plane faster.We have a few dealers that will sell you a prop to try and as long as it comes back As New you can return it and use the initial cost towards another prop they have.Might be worth investigating.I've bent your ears long enough but I was lucky and wouldn't have believed the difference this prop makes.

[BERTICUS]

I put on smart tabs sx by nauticus.... works like a charm
my boat ia a divanti 205. this boat amazed me with only the hydrofoil.... now it blows me away./

[spinks99]

Hey 95Z212,

I have a 95 Z202 with a 5.0 LX (4 barrel). I don't have any problem getting on plane. I had an 18P Stilleto (too small). Now I have a 21P High Five (1.62 gear ratio). I can take 9 people all day and still enjoy water sports.

It sounds to me that you have engine problems (carb problems, missing, timing, coil going bad). Check your drive position when planing (all the way down). It sounds dumb, but visually check and see that it is all the way down.

Also, you probably have that awful Mercruiser 3000 throttle and shifter. Make sure it's opening the throttle all the way up. Mine is so stiff I'm replacing it this year. When people pull me skiing, they often think the throttle is wide open when in fact it's about half way.

If you have the 2 barrel 5.0, I think that has less power than mine, but planing should not be a problem.

Danny

[DCB_MINDED]

I'm with spinks on this one. If your WOT RPM is where it should be. Then your prop is probably not the issue. Just because you can (maybe) put a band aid on it with a different prop/hydrofoil/etc, it is just that.... a band-aid. Check for the obvious stuff. Do a compression check, check fire, make sure throttle is opening all they way, make sure your trim is going all the way down. check under your floor for trapped water. Mine was holding a couple hundred gallons. It doesn't take a lot of water to equal a LOT of weight!