HIGH 5 PROP

Bobby T · October 23, 2008, 06:46:57 PM

I currently have a Mercury Laser2 prop on my boat (115 Opti) Could anybody with experiance with a High 5 prop let me know the advantages or disadvantages. Will this prop give me better and stronger hole shot? Will I lose top end and how much? Will this prop affect my rpms/I dont want to put the motor on the rev limiter? Any help would be appreciated.
T

Jdaddy · October 24, 2008, 10:01:33 AM

Hey bud,
High 5 prop will be too much for your boat/engine-overpropped.
It is a good prop for a ski boat that need that extra power at the hole shot and keep the nose down while pulling one or more skiers and you will need more horsepower to turn this prop .
Also, when you get Better hole shot you lose top speed and less fuel economy.
There is no reason to get anything other then 4 blade prop for a bass boat as long as you get the right one.
All depends what you looking to improve - top speed, hole shot or something in between.
3 blade will be a good top end speed by 2-4mph then a 4 blade but a 4 blade will get the boat out of the hole quicker. and still give you good top end.

The High 5 will give you better hole shot but not any better then a 4 blade, you will lose allot of top end and will have allot of drag. It may look nice but its the wrong prop for your boat - or any bass boat - it is a ski/power boat prop.

Look for a Trophy plus 4 blade or Tempest 4 blade - you will be very happy with he results .

OutdoorFrontiers · October 24, 2008, 11:17:12 AM

I was given a High 5 prop when I had a Cobra Coosa 216 powered by a Mercury 250 XB. I wasn't impressed with the hole shot, and was even less impressed by the top end.

Prop technology has improved, there's better props out there.

Steve

Bobby T · October 24, 2008, 08:40:06 PM

thanks guys I appreciate all the info..........I am quite happy with the motor performance, I would just like to be stronger on take off........

OutdoorFrontiers · October 24, 2008, 09:41:19 PM

See if you can borrow a prop that's pitched an inch or so less, or a four blade prop. Propping is not an exact science, but more of an art. A lot will depend on your engine setback, engine height, weight of the entire rig and even weight distribution.

Steve

Basser43 · October 24, 2008, 10:12:02 PM

JDaddy is 100% correct. You will hate the High 5 prop. A High 5 does not belong on a bass boat. It is a ski boat or cruising boat prop. You have an excelant prop now. You may want to change to a different pitch. What is the max RPM you are running?

Bobby T · October 25, 2008, 05:31:14 PM

54-5500 rpm

Jdaddy · October 25, 2008, 06:04:41 PM

If you go to a 4 blade prop you will get better hole shot -try to go a pitch higher on the 4 blade. You should see same speed 9 pr 2-3mph drop at the most), same RPM but better hole shot.
Do you have a jack plate?, if so what kind - 6", 8" 10" ? ? ?,
You need to know how your propeller/engine performs before you change props/pitch. By lowering the pitch one (1") inch the motor will gain 200 RPM. By increasing the pitch the motor will lose 200 RPM.
Prop pitch adjustments are usually misunderstood. Lots of people mistakenly think that switching to a higher pitch prop will make the boat go faster. When you use a prop with too much pitch your engine doesn't have enough horsepower to turn the prop adequately and the RPM level drops. Not only does the boat will go slower, but the motor can load up and the plugs become fouled.

The ideal situation is to choose a prop with a pitch that allows the motor to reach its maximum RPM (suggested by the engine manufacturer) without going over. If the prop selected doesn't reach the recommended RPM level, the boat will sacrifice speed and lift.

Before you make any changes you must find out what is your engine max RPM - manufacture's recommended RPM, call your dealer or look at the engine manual or just ask.

Basser43 · October 26, 2008, 06:23:10 PM

Once again I agree with JDaddy except for going to a higher pitch 4 blade prop. My experience is that the 4 blade prop will decrease your RPMs therefore I have always had to go one pitch down with a 4 blade prop due to the extra drag of an extra blade to turn.

You are probably running a 22 pitch now so a 20-21 pitch 4 blade would help you hole shot and only lose about 1-2 MPH. If I remember correctly the 115 should turn about 5600 RPM and WOT.

Also, as JDaddy said a Jack plate would pick the MPH back up.

Bobby T · October 27, 2008, 08:33:31 PM

Quote from: Basser43 on October 26, 2008, 06:23:10 PM
Once again I agree with JDaddy except for going to a higher pitch 4 blade prop. My experience is that the 4 blade prop will decrease your RPMs therefore I have always had to go one pitch down with a 4 blade prop due to the extra drag of an extra blade to turn.

You are probably running a 22 pitch now so a 20-21 pitch 4 blade would help you hole shot and only lose about 1-2 MPH. If I remember correctly the 115 should turn about 5600 RPM and WOT.

Also, as JDaddy said a Jack plate would pick the MPH back up.

I checked on Mercurys prop selector and you are right, they recommend going down to a 21 P prop for a trophy prop (4blade).....Mercs spec on this motor is a 54-5800 rpm max......I may try a trophy prop,I just dont wanna hit the rev limiter.....I guess I will find out next spring...Thanks for all your help guys......

basnbud · October 29, 2008, 01:16:20 PM

Well I have one of each (3 and 4 blade) a 23pitch 3 bld and a 24pitch 4bld. I have better top end with the 3 bld and 5400rpm. 4bld is better on hole shot and handeling with a loss of top end speed and an increase in rpm 5650. so i'll have to agree with jdaddy on going up a degree on the 4 bld.

Basnbud

wildweasel · October 30, 2008, 01:42:41 PM

Bobby - which Laser II do you have (part# stamped on the prop)? I have the same motor and swapped from an aluminum to my neighbor's Laser II (same Optimax 115 as mine), but the performance was MUCH less than my aluminum prop.

WW