Buying a new prop
 

I'm going to buy a new stainless prop. I'm putting a new lower on the boat I just bought because of some broken pieces and a good deal I came across....but that's a different thread. :) The boat ('95 barchetta 192) came with a Ballistic 14.5 x 19" 3 blade. Its a little beat up so I'm going to send it off. Had the boat out today.....GPS said top speed was 46mph at 4800 rpm. Water was a little rough, full of fuel, about 550 lbs of people on board. From a stop it planes at about 20mph. Doesn't seem to have any problem getting up when pulling a tube with adult and 2 kids aboard. I'm planning on putting smart tabs on it next year also. My question.....FINALLY..... stick with the same prop, or maybe try a 4 blade 20" pitch? My primary use will be pulling people behind the boat and cruising. I don't care about sacrificing 2mph of top speed to make it work better where I use it most. My gut is telling me stick with what's on it now but this is my first boat so I thought I'd ask the experts here. I'm looking at giving bblades my prop business also. All opinions and comments welcome.....good, bad, or otherwise. My only regret so far is I didn't buy one of these damn things years ago..... :beer:

Re: Buying a new prop
 

Go with the 4 blade and the Smart tabs. Deadly combo for tubing/sking. :)

Larry

Re: Buying a new prop
 

Well, that 19" is hitting the rpm max 0f 4800 right on the button so that's the correct prop but... you could go with a 20" 4 blade SS also, or in place of, and you wont lose any top end, you might gain 50-100rpms (which wont hurt) & you will gain a slight amount in the low-mid range punch. It wont hurt to have a spare prop either.

I run a 4 blade - 20" SS Apollo prop on mine & really like it for a mix of tubing/wakeboarding and cruising.

Re: Buying a new prop
 

I have a Mich Wheel SS Apollo XN5, 14x21, I am not sure of top end mph, or rpm, not sure if I have had it ther yet? I guess I just never set to be sure to run to WOT.

Looks like the 4 blade 20" is the resounding favorite. I'll give it a try. Thanks for the input. :)

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