[nosbonsing]

Hey All,
I just installed a 14x21 4 blade Hustler prop on my 1850 with a 4.3l. I think the old hub must have been spun as my RPMs were all over the place.

I took the new prop for a ride and wow, big difference. Planing was way better and I didn't need to slam the throttle. My cruise at 3000rpm was 10 mph faster!! Also, I could stay on plane at 2400 rpm and before needed 3000.

At WOT my speed was 45mph on GPS, which I saw before using the 19 pitch blade. However, I could only acheive around 4200-4300rpm. I know that this is considered lugging, but being so close to the rpm range of 4400-4800, I'm wondering if this still poses a major issue? I should mention that our primary use of the boat is skiing, tubing and general cruising. We rarely go for speed runs.

Any advice helps,
Thanks.

[mikeyt]

The 21" prop isn't doing you any favours unless all you do is cruise. You'll need to use a 19" or 20" 4 blade to get those rpms up into the efficient operating range and either will be far more effective if your primary use is tubing/skiing/wakeboarding etc. At best you should be around 4800 - 4900 rpms at WOT and expect a top speed of 48mph or so max.

A spun prop hub would likely let you slowly tootle around but as soon as you tried to accelerate the rpms would should up quickly and you wouldn't be going much faster. If asked i would have recommended a Mercury Spitfire, a Solas or a Michigan Wheel Apollo prop over the Hustler....

[nosbonsing]

Thanks Mikey,
I do realize that the lower pitch suits what I plan to use the boat for, however I am happy with the improvement I've seen already. I'm really concerned with if the engine could be harmed given I'm 100-200 rpm out of the recommended range for WOT and I don't go WOT very often. Trying to avoid another prop purchase.

Incidentally, is there some reason that you would avoid this prop? I've read a lot of positive reviews about it, but couldn't find much in the way of comparisons. It just happened to be reasonably priced and easily available in my area.

[mikeyt]

I'm just not a "Hustler" fan. Their performance seems to be spotty and it really seems to depend on the boat using them.

Anyway, yes it still means you are 'lugging' the engine all the way up thru the rpm range which means you are putting un-necessary strain on it. And you will really notice a deteriorated hole shot when you have someone being pulled. I would ask if you could exchange the prop for a 20" 4 blade myself. You will gain both low end and particularly middle range acceleration with the 20" and i suspect you wont lose anything on your top end.