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First time prop buyer needs some advice

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duckhunter185

Contributing Member
Hi im very new to the boating world and the boat i bought did not come with a prop. I know little about the pitch and diameter and dont know how to choose. I have an 1994 18' VIP fish and ski. It has a 4.3 LX with an Alpha 1 gen 2 out drive. Im needing help finding the best prop. Any help would be great thank you!
 
I'd start with Solas Amaita 4 blade 19P aluminum. Solas part number #1513-143-19

They are $99 and are great all-round propellers.
Once you get the boat beyond the "shakedown cruise" stage, you can decide if you need more or less pitch or want to buy a stainless prop etc.
and the Solas can become your spare.

To determine pitch, you load your boat with the typical load. Then you blast down the lake at full throttle. Look at the tach. If the engine (properly tuned) rpm is between 4200 and 4600 rom, you have the right prop.
If it below 4200, you need less pitch (e.g. 17P)
If it's over-revving above 4600, you need more pitch (e.g. 21P)
 
Thanks for the help. I'm going through everything on it. New carb new water pump/ impeller. All new fluids. Checked the bellows and aligned the out drive to engine. New intake and exhaust gaskets. New distributor, Plugs and wires. Set timing. I'm fairly good with mechanics. Im a millwright for a living and know my way around tools. Waiting on parts now. Anything else to Check out?
 
IF the exhaust manifolds, risers and elbows are original don't wait until they fail to replace them...use Barr or Osco...if you use Merc. make sure you don't get the cheap Chinese parts. Stay away from GLM!

I had a similar boat and engine combo...19 pitch will work as hystat said. The 4.3L recommeded RPM range is 4400-4800. If the RPM reaches 4800 I would go up to a 21 pitch prop...SS will make it perform much better than aluminum. The drawback w/SS props is DON'T hit a log or BFR or you can screw the OD and the prop rebuild is near $200.
 
14 3/4" will give you a little more thrust. A 4 blade will be quick out of the hole and slow on the top end while a 3 blade is the opposite.
 
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