High Five to other prop switch?

[Gerben]

Hi,

Have a question on the prop on the skirig:
Currently I run a 17P Highfive (yeah they really make em that small) on a 150Hp Suzuki. Like the pull of this prop and the controllability of speed at mid-range.

Don't like the speed (down 4.5mph compared to a simple 19p Solas) and complete lack of reverse power. With only just a bit of reverse power it cavitates immediately. Also seems to cavitate far sooner as the Solas prop in sharp turns. (haven't had the chance to test other props)

What would be a good prop to try out? Mostly skiing, occasionally at full throttle. Prop runs fully submerged and boat needs all the bow-lift it can get. Been thinking of a 19P Trophy plus?
Any other suggestions?

Thanks,
Gerben

[jerry]

trophys rule !!! you can go wrong

[AlaskaStreamin]

I have a 19P Mirage thru-hub I'd trade / sell.(Just like the Laser) 14 1/4" X 19P. I don't know the "prop rating scale" but can e-mail pictures if interested. Went up in boat size and had to go to a 17P.

These props are awesome. Everyone who tried it loved it.
I also have a 18P Chopper that might work for ya.

OOPS! Hang on there Gerben, IF you were interested, we would have to look at the postage. I just realized where you were.:eek:

[Liqui-Fly]

I really have never seen the performance everyone is always sdaying the Trophy has. I have run a few of them and was never very impressed with the performance or lift. The Laser is an excellent over-all prop.

David

[sho305]

I have a Laser II, and even with the big holes in it, it seems to bite good out of the hole and only revs a little higher. Also is one of the best bow raisers. Never pulled with it though. May want to try one if you see one. I loose water before bite on my hull with standard inline water pickup. Its even hard to throw a water fountain at rest as it will bite and take off.

I have a new stock alum Merc 21, and this 20 Laser runs identical rpms/speed...until you trim up! The alum prop will blow out fast; the Laser will lift the bow and go over 5mph faster.

[Jimbob]

The Trophys with the vent hole system can't be beat. I run a 21" with a 200hp Merc, but like Aquaholic suggested, a 17 or 19 should serve ya well. You did not mention what boat ya got(17-19 bass boat?). If it's a heavy type bass boat and ya like how the 17" high-five pulled then the 19" might be the way to go. Try to find someone that will allow ya to trade to the other. Most will since ya already have purchased the first one. :cool:

[Gerben]

Always thought the Mirage has a bigger diameter as average, for light boat/high power combo's? On the other hand more surface for more bite makes sence too..

Jimbob, see pic for the hul. Weighs 2270lbs empty, +-2760 with junk and fuel. Has some funky curves in bottom, which I think make it pretty slow. Also has 2 fins on the bottom beneath the ski-pole.

Runs 5600rpm on the High5, ran 5400rpm on the 19P Solas. First prop was original 22P Suzuki and ofcourse it was no good. Not too many props available for testing round here.

It will never be a hipo rig,nor does it have to be, but just a little more should be possible (sound familiar :D :D )

Thanks,
Gerben

[snowmanmtl]

High octane, High Price! I believe your Reg is 95 and your super is 100 Octane. You Must be on the Ijsselmeer.

[Gerben]

Hi Snow,

High Price, yep! +-$4.37 a gallon for reg.
Octane rating is a bit different here. Comes down to a difference of about 4 points. So our 95 is the same as your 91. ( RON and (R+M)/2 weighting they'r called from the top of my head)
Super is 98 here.

Live in the northwest, 35 miles north of Amsterdam.
We mostly boat on the Alkmaardermeer. A small close by lake. Waves are smaller as the ijsselmeer and being close by it's easy to go ride after work.
Last time I was in Canada it was -35F. :eek:

Gerben

[sho305]

4.37! Yikes! We are crabbing at a 1.52 here. You need to get in on the Iraq thing....for some oil you will help out with comm or something;) What a mess.

Sharp looking boat though, seems like it should go better...what is the gears on a suzi? What speed about? I got my Laser for 150 at a dealer local; but it is a merc prop, not knowing suzi hub. Had one tiny ding I filed out. Maybe that boat is heavy?

[Jimbob]

Man if I didn't have my Laser380 I would love to a SkiCenturion like yours! I waterski as much as possible but still want an o/b.
I would think a 4-blade prop would serve ya better than a 3 for the out-of-the-hole punch. The 3-blade would be faster on the topend( all things being equal) though. Since your running a Highfive 17 I would say a Trophy19 might pull just as well out-of-the-hole and give ya some more topend. You have no pad on the boat to get up on and run it dry so it will never be a speed demon any which way, not digging on your boat, but thems the facts. No matter what prop ya try you probable will never be able to get much bowlift, the boat was made to run flat and give a small wake. I hate to recommend something on someone else's pocketbook, but since your asking I vote for a Trophy 19. Keep us informed on your results!:D

[sho305]

That could be, the ski bottom. I know my vee likes trim to un-wet the bottom, so the laser helps in that way. Gas to 1.59 allready.

[Reese]

I'll through in my vote...but not for the trophy.

Very few outboard ski boats use em'...(except for barefoot bob), low end is really not that great. Lasers are much more popular for ski boats.

If you want to consider a newer style prop I would consider the Powertech tr04's. They are a very similar design to the trophy with generally much better hole shot.

Almost everyone I know runs high fives for ski applicatioins...I would strongly suggest you speak to a prop expert about your specific needs (more hole shot or better turning bite) before changing to another prop.

You have a beautiful boat, but if that bottom is anywhere close to a barefoot sanger or flightcraft you'll need more than a new prop to get it going...

Good luck...

[Gerben]

Hi,

Thanks for all the replies.
I agree with you all that it will never be a hotrod. Just trying to figure out if some tweekin can help a bit. What got me thinking is the big difference with a simple solas prop of 4.5mph.
(Highfive, 42.5mph-Solas 47mph)
And the lack of reverse power on the highfive gets annoying.

Hope to find some props to try out. Will keep you informed if any progress is made.

Have also been thinking of some more hp. This would ofcourse be the best solution, but fuel consumption has to stay reasonable at mid-rpm as we run it quite a bit
Just trying to get the best of both worlds i guess.
Hydraulic steering is going on soon, perhaps a jackplate too as the engine has to come off anyway.

Thanks again,
Gerben

[sho305]

Maybe someone will chime in here, but I have had similiar boats and they all seemed to take the same amount of fuel...little more for older designs, but the larger motor did not take more when just riding around. These were from 80-150hp. They seemed to take more when you went faster, of course.:) I only measured by how long a 6 gallon can lasted me.

[6balls]

More power. I have a Ski Centurion Falcon also, and run 60 mph(in 5 seconds, no less) on a 225 Yamaha EFI, 19 pitch stiletto. Easily turning RPM, so prob go to a 21 or 23 in the future to get into mid-60's.