What prop to run on a 2003 Captiva 232 cuddy

[bryan232]

I have an 03 cuddy, alpha 1 gen 2 drive, 5.0 merc (290 HP). What prop should I run? I currently have a turning point hustler 14x19.  The boat would not go on plane with more than 2 people in the boat. I installed Bennet trim tabs and the boat finally comes on plane. Tops speed trimed up in less than 1 foot waves with one person and 3/4 tank of gas is 34mps on gps.

I use the boat to wakeboard and cruise in the ocean. I would like to get 45-50 out of it on a nice day.

[kleake]

I don't know on the 232, but that doesn't sound right.  If you have 290Hp, and can't get on plane with more than 2 people on board, I would guess you are over propped.  But then your top speed is only 34mph, so that would say you are under propped.  What you didn't mention was your RPM at top speed and while trying to get on plane.  If you can tell us that, we can help more.  It sounds like you may have more issues going on rather than the prop size.

[RobyW1]

I have the 5.0 MPI Alpha as well and I have very good results with the inexpensive Alpha 4 prop. I use 2 of them depending on the type of boating I'm going to do for the day. Both are the Mercury Alpha 4 series props. (4-blade)

One is a: Alpha 4 15" diameter, 16" pitch. This prop works well for a fully loaded boat pulling tubes, kneeboards etc. Top speed is limited though to about 38 to 40 but with my tabs I have no problem getting 12 people on plane.

The other is an: Alpha 4 14.5" diameter, 18" pitch. This works great for light load cruising and is very food on gas.

Both of these props have the best reverse performance of a single prop boat I have ever driven. Almost as good or equal to a bravo 3 or duo prop.

I would like to try a stainless HIGH-FIVE just to see how it would perform but these 232s seem to like larger diameter props.

[RobyW1]

I have an 03 cuddy, alpha 1 gen 2 drive, 5.0 merc (290 HP). What prop should I run? I currently have a turning point hustler 14x19.  The boat would not go on plane with more than 2 people in the boat. I installed Bennet trim tabs and the boat finally comes on plane. Tops speed trimed up in less than 1 foot waves with one person and 3/4 tank of gas is 34mps on gps.

I use the boat to wakeboard and cruise in the ocean. I would like to get 45-50 out of it on a nice day.

I think it isn't 290hp. You have only 2 options with the Merc 5.0:

5.0 MPI, fuel injected rated at 260hp
5.0 LX, carburreted rated at 220hp

A 14x19 prop should het you high 40s if you're able to get to 4800 to 5200 RPM. If you have the MPI and it feels weak have the fuel pump tested to see if it can maintain pressure while under load. If it can't it can make your engine feel like a 3.0 4 cylinder.

[bryan232]

Thanks for the feedback. The motor was revving 4500 while trying to plane. I was revving about 4000 rpm at 34mph. The boat will revv right up to 5500 with out a problem. Being new to the boat I didn't think it was recommeneded to revv the 5.0 that high.

I see the high five prop comes recommended on other posts. What pitch would you run if you purchased one?

FYI - I did fat finger the original post. The motor is a 260HP 5.0 mpi with 290 hours on it.

[kleake]

It sounds to me like your prop hub may be slipping.  If you can go 34mph ar 4000rpm, but the engine will rev up to 5500, something is slipping.  Normally from a dead stop I can rev to just over 3000rpm, and then will gain rpm as my speed increases.  If I cruise at 4000rpm, then push the throttle to wide open, my rpm's will only climb about 200-300 rpm and then climb with my speed.   You should not be able to rev to 5500 until you are near your top speed, which should be in the mid to upper 40's I would guess.   If something is slipping, it is most likely your prop hub, if not that, it could be the engine coupler. You would likely smell burnt rubber in the engine compartment after a a minute or so of trying to get on plane if it's the coupler.

[floater180]

if you need to really know what is should do.. there's a site you can searsh that tells you alot, there is like 5 factors you can put into the PROP CALCULATOR that which ever one you leave out it will give you that info. say you have a 3500lb boat with a 2.0 gear ratio and you want to go 50mph and your top rpm is 5200rpm, it will tell you which pitch blade prop you'll need. give it a try. it's close for 99% of us. and ps... a 4 blade will stick better than a 3 blade with a little more grunt in the bottom end.