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Old 08-25-2012, 01:25 PM   #1
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Default Prop question on 3.0 Mercruiser

I have an 18ft Maxum with the 3.0 Mercruiser. We mainly use it for wakeboarding. Stock prop was the 21p 3 blade. I recently swapped to a 19p 4 blade Solas Rubex for more hole shot. I really like the pull out of the water and handling, it also holds speed nice when pulling. However, it seems that there is quite a bit of bow lift. I'm wondering if I need to go with a 19p 3 blade instead. Any suggestions?? Thanks.
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Old 08-25-2012, 01:37 PM   #2
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bow lift? Wouldn't that be casued by your trim?
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Old 08-25-2012, 01:51 PM   #3
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Even when the trim is all the way down, the bow is still a bit higher than it was with the 3 blade. Its not a bad thing for wakeboarding because it creates a bigger wake by keeping the stern down. It just seems a bit higher than it was with the 3 blade.
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Old 08-25-2012, 01:51 PM   #4
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To eliminate bow lift, invest in a set of Smart Tabs.

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Old 08-26-2012, 07:53 AM   #5
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I changed mine from 21" to 19" 3 blade and am really happy with it. When I wakeboard the boat gets on the plane quick and levels out bringing the bow down. Have a look at the post I made a while back. Best change to the boat I've made.
http://www.maxumownersclub.com/forum...Prop-Selection
Good luck. Lee
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Old 08-27-2012, 01:22 PM   #6
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Decreased pitch and 1 additional blade. It sounds like you're simply getting a lot more bite than you did with the previous setup.
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Old 08-27-2012, 09:22 PM   #7
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Are you getting on plane?
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Old 08-28-2012, 01:58 AM   #8
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Well thats the thing, it felt like it cruised along fine but just alot of bow rise, almost like it wasn't on plane. I'm going out again this weekend to try it again. My local marine shop said I could switch out props. Seems odd that a 4 blade wouldn't plane right??
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Old 08-28-2012, 10:54 AM   #9
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Yep, sounds to me like you are transitioning to plane but not quite making it. Do you experience the high bow lift both when towing and not towing? I have similar boat as you and got great results with a 17P prop for watersports and loaded boat. My recommendations for now: experiment with trim and moving people to the bow. When towing skiiers, I plane best when trimmed half way between neutral and full down.
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Old 08-29-2012, 12:20 AM   #10
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Well the weight might be part of the problem too....Its normally just myself in the boat with the cooler in the back. So there is no weight in the bow. I normally have 2-4 people in the boat. I normally trim the same way you do when pulling. I'm gonna try it again on Saturday and i'll report back.
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