Bought my first Maxum - Maxum Boat Owners Club

Argonaut · 10-20-2007, 01:51 PM

I joined this 'forum' earlier in the year while considering my next purchase.
Kept looking for a good low hours 1800, that had 'captains chair' style seating for helm, and the 4.3L... and finally found one.

2006 1800 SR3 with 4.3L (190) and only 25 Hrs on the clock ! really is in mint condition, doesn't look as if it has ever got wet.

It currently has the standard Aluminium prop, but will change this out for a 21" pitch HIGH FIVE .... as soon as I can find one for reasonable price.

Be interested if there are any tips/tricks/tune ups out there ... so anybody who has the same 1800SR3 let me know.

Hope I get a nice day in next few weeks to try it out .... currently sitting with my leg up having had knee surgery 2 days ago ... knee-boarding now been ruled out for the future !

swilson · 10-20-2007, 04:40 PM

Welcome... I have a 2005 maxum 1800sr3 - same engine as yours. It is a awesome boat and realy enjoyed it last summer. I have the standard prop and it seemed to work well for skiing. No special operations needed just watch the trim when cruising and the shallow water. If you get the other prop I would like to know how much difference it makes.

Argonaut · 10-20-2007, 06:34 PM

My 'issue' was that I am expecting to see a big drop in perfromance.
My previous rig was abouy 400Kg (900Lb) lighter ... was also an 18' hull, yet that had a 200hp outboard.
So power to weight ratio would seem to be well down, although hull efficiency on Maxum should be better.

The dealer reccomends that for propping a skier out of the water I should use a 21" HIGH FIVE prop - difference is supposed to be very significant.

I have read on this forum some drop to a 19" but dealer advise that 21" plus HIGH FIVE capabilities is a better match.

Brit Rider · 10-22-2007, 09:52 PM

Which dealer are you working with? Huw at Pictons??

The biggest and best thing you can do for the performance of an 1800 is to not let anyone sit in the back. they are so aft heavy that they bog down really easily.. getting people as far forward as possible makes a huge difference in fuel economy, handling and hole-shot.

Remember you don't have to stick to the prop pitchs that come on these high 5's... most places will re pitch them upto 1' for free if you buy from them. You can have anything between 17' to 23 within reason on your Maxum. I'd recommend a 20-22 depending on your priorities.

gezy · 10-23-2007, 03:20 AM

i got a 21 for sale! :wink:
swansea.

Argonaut · 10-23-2007, 11:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gezy

i got a 21 for sale! :wink:
swansea.

well I'm all of about 5 miles east of you in Jersey Marine !

I'll send you a PM with details

Overfinch · 10-27-2007, 04:42 PM

Do any of you think there is any benefit in fitting a stainless 3 blade prop over an ally one pitch for pitch. Would it give any improvement in hole shot or is a Hi5 the only way to go?

Argonaut · 10-27-2007, 07:34 PM

A 3 blade SS prop - pitch for pitch is better choice ... it is able to be made thinner, it is stiffer & less prone to damage.

So if were a choice because you had to change your prop - then SS is the answer, but just to change Al to SS ... no, you would not notice a difference in performance.

Brit Rider · 10-29-2007, 12:25 PM

A like for like Ally to SS prop can in fact allow for better performance but this more often than not comes down to shape, thiness, more limited deflection and cupping of blades. A stainless Prop can achieve thinner stronger blades (particularly with Mercurys new alloy recently released) and be built in a shape that alloy cannot.

Check the prop section on Mercury.com for more explanation and their tool of propping your boat correctly - they must have over 10 3-4 blade prop models now....

Overfinch · 10-30-2007, 09:44 AM

Thanks for the link to mercury prop calculator Brit rider. How to I know what the gear ratio for the sterndrive is?

tglee · 10-31-2007, 01:57 AM

I don't know which drive you have, but this is from www.sterndrives.com:

Alpha One 5-01301017 1.30
Alpha One 5-01471017 1.47
Alpha One 5-01622017 1.62
Alpha One 5-0181017 1.81
Alpha One 5-01941017 1.94

Alpha One Counter Rotation 5-5000177CP 1.47
Alpha One Counter Rotation 5-5000162CP 1.62
Alpha One Counter Rotation 5-5000181CP 1.81
Alpha One Counter Rotation 5-5000194CP 1.94

Alpha Gen II Counter Rotation 5-5111200LP 1.47
Alpha Gen II Counter Rotation 5-5111300LP 1.62
Alpha Gen II Counter Rotation 5-5111400LP 1.81
Alpha Gen II Counter Rotation 5-511500LP 1.94

Alpha Gen II 5-5121200LP 1.47
Alpha Gen II 5-5121300LP 1.62
Alpha Gen II 5-5121400LP 1.81
Alpha Gen II 5-5121500LP 1.94
Alpha Gen II 5-5121600LP 2.00
Alpha Gen II 5-5121600LP 2.40

To be POSITIVE about what ratio you have you must count the teeth
on the upper gears. Don't always trust stampings.

Brit Rider · 11-01-2007, 07:46 PM

Alpha One 5-0181017 1.81 is generally the standard on our size maxums.
In fact I KNOW it has been between 2000-2008 but can't comment on other years.

gezy · 11-02-2007, 01:47 PM

0f446668,

thats all i can see on mine.alpha one gen2.

what ratio do i have on mine then?.it may be that .not prop to get the top end im looking for.