'95 Merc 3.0 Prop pitch?

madill21 · 05-02-2014, 12:27 PM

Hey all,

I did a search and couldn't find what I was looking for. Maybe I was looking in the wrong place.

I have a '95 Talari 180. I'm looking to upgrade the prop to SS.

Boat runs great with the current pitch and I'm putting Smart Tabs on today so I don't want to lower the pitch or increase it.

I'm just trying to find out what the stock pitch is? And what would you suggest to be the best spot to buy a propeller from?

Thanks in advance guys/gals!

J.D.

***mikeyt*** · 05-02-2014, 12:44 PM

What is the current pitch? "Stock" pitch doesn't really exist but the usual one i've seen for this boat is a 19".

I've had good luck buying from iboats.com but there are literally hundreds of vendors out there.

madill21 · 05-02-2014, 12:54 PM

Thanks Mikey,

Not sure what is currently on it and although I've been around boats most of my life I've never been into these kind of aspects about them. I'll ask the local marina that does all the work on it what it currently is. Changing from Aluminum to SS I go up or down in pitch??

***ColoradoDiablo*** · 05-02-2014, 02:06 PM

If it is a Mercruiser prop , it should be on the inside edge of the hub , right next to the prop nut.

***mikeyt*** · 05-02-2014, 03:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by madill21

Thanks Mikey,

Not sure what is currently on it and although I've been around boats most of my life I've never been into these kind of aspects about them. I'll ask the local marina that does all the work on it what it currently is. Changing from Aluminum to SS I go up or down in pitch??

We need to know what your rpm's are at WOT with your existing prop (along with what pitch it is) before any recommendations can be made. It would probably be good for you to read a couple of the STICKYS at the top of the Prop Talk forum. The theory is that you go down 1" in pitch with a change from aluminum to SS but everything depends on the WOT rpms & existing prop pitch. If you have a 19" and are running near max rpms (4800) at WOT then i might suggest dropping to an 18" 4 blade SS which shouldn't affect your rpms but will give you some additional bite & acceleration.

King P.V. · 05-02-2014, 04:42 PM

Just so you know.... there is no "standard" prop that comes with the engine or boat package. The idea is that, in theory, the dealership who orginally sold the boat would inquire of the customer just what he was lookin for in the package he just bought. Do you want to be the fastest guy on the water? OR Do you want to ski, tube, cruise... The answer wouild put you in a 19" or perhaps a 17" aluminum prop. You're gunna accellerated betteer with a 17 comparde to a 19 but have faster top end mph (slightly) with the higher pitch.. However, two things, 1) you must realize that you don't have lots of hp (cubic inches) It's a 3.0 litre and no-one ever "set the world on fire" with that engine. I NEVER sold an 18' with a 3.0 engine as I truely didn't want my customers to buy an "underperforming" boat. It was always a V-6 and usually with a High 5 stainless prop IF they wanted max. performance and didn't mind the costs...If this were my boat... I'd highly suggest you try out Mercury's newer line of 4 blade aluminum "SpitFire" props. They are KILLER and you would be much more impressed with the performance. If you re running a 19" 3 blade, go to a 18" 4 blade. That's the one I'd try and you'll find it's only 20/30 dollars more than the other aluminums.However, If you do go with the 4 blade, realize you will absolutly hate top end speeds. Remember that!!!~! Tho 95% of people don't want to go that fast anyways as they can't afford the fuel costs, kidney damage, noise levels... I would not suggest a stainless as I don't think you'll gain the advantages as compared to having a V-6 or V-8 plus the cost associated with those ones. IF, however, you are gunna go stainless, the High 5 is the ONLY way to go. Don't let anyone tell you diff.!!! High 5 props, when set up correctly are High Definition compared to the old black and white 3 blades... Make sense?? And don't go with the Quicksilver 5 blade stainless, it's gotta be Mercury's version!! They are different!!

***mikeyt*** · 05-02-2014, 05:23 PM

I think we're gonna have to differ on our opinions regarding some of your comments re choice of props... I (and many others here) went to 4 blade props on our boats without any significant loss of top end. Mine touched on 50 with the 3 blade & hits 48 with the 4 blade and with the offset improvement in low- mid range acceleration, a 2 mph loss is not something i 'hated'.

I do agree that SS props generally show very little performance improvement on a smaller motor and likely would not be worth the extra cost. Yes, the aggressive rake/lots of cup design 4 blade aluminum Merc Spitfire (or similar Quicksilver Nemesis) might be a good option but I'm not going to recommend a prop at this point though as we have no idea what prop he has now, nor do we know what his WOT rpms are with that prop. Any suggestions at this point are nothing but speculation, guesswork and maybe a bit of salesmanship.

And a number of our members have the 3.0 for fuel efficiency reasons so its not a matter of an 'under performing boat' to them. They are quite happy with that motor and the way it performs because it fits their needs. The old adage about 'go big or go home' doesn't always apply here.

gahooligan · 05-03-2014, 11:05 PM

Isn't different engine sizes the reason for different outdrive gear ratios?

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***mikeyt*** · 05-04-2014, 12:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gahooligan

Isn't different engine sizes the reason for different outdrive gear ratios?

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I'm no engineer but i would think that between engine size / design / power output the engineers have to figure out what ratios will work best to keep the engine running efficiently within certain rpm ranges. The prop would just allow a little 'fine tuning'. Perhaps the mechanics here can shed some light on that.

gahooligan · 05-04-2014, 01:30 AM

I was merely agreeing with you Mikey. The 3.0 is a fine power plant that has been around a good time. It may not win a top speed contest, but who cares. The gear ratio makes it able to pull tubes and skiers and the boat just fine. To each his own, I'm sure there are many that prefer the 3.0 over a v8 for precicely the reasons you stated. Besides, I don't think mariah would build a boat that couldnt do what it was made and purchased to do.
Madill21 post up what your current prop is and what your Rpms at wot are and these guys will help you out!

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