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Which Merc Prop should I buy for water skiing?

Ray Zuelke

Ray Zuelke

Member
Running 2007 Pulsare 21' with Merc 250 pro xs. 27P Tempest Plus prop. 10" CMC jack plate. Still new, not broke in yet. Running 75 mph @ 5000 rpm. Hope for 85 @ max wot when engine is through break in period.

Here's the deal, I know I nead a different prop for water skiing. (I will keep the Tempest Plus for crusing / top speed). My thinking is a High 5. My question is, which pitch should I buy. 23 or 25. I hope to find a dealer that will allow me a "demo" in order to make the decision.

Anyone out there running a similar set up and dialed in a great ski package? Let me know.

Ray Z
 
skiing

most people are running trophys for skiing
the 4 blade holds good and the smaller dia lets the motor rev quicker

good luck daren
 
Ray Zuelke said:
Running 2007 Pulsare 21' with Merc 250 pro xs. 27P Tempest Plus prop. 10" CMC jack plate. Still new, not broke in yet. Running 75 mph @ 5000 rpm. Hope for 85 @ max wot when engine is through break in period.

Here's the deal, I know I nead a different prop for water skiing. (I will keep the Tempest Plus for crusing / top speed). My thinking is a High 5. My question is, which pitch should I buy. 23 or 25. I hope to find a dealer that will allow me a "demo" in order to make the decision.

Anyone out there running a similar set up and dialed in a great ski package? Let me know.

Ray Z
Click to expand...

how much skiing are you going to do - i'd just run a cheap old aluminum for that probably 21 or 23 - you want that boat to leap out of the water - just watch your revs - you'll overrev like crazy with that aluminum on it.
 
too much power for 13" diam prop even with 5 blades......14 1/2 or 14 5/8 23 4 blade

are you using the spedo or gps?????
prop calc shows would have to be negative slip w/ 1.75 x 1 ratio drive
slip should be 7 to 12%
12% = 65mph
 
I think the High five biggest size is 23. Which i use on my 225EFI works good for water skiing or wake boarding just watch the RPMs mine will hit the limiter if i'm not careful.
 
I've got a Raker, 24", which has been blueprinted and spin like a 23". It's a solid hub and in very good shape. Not sure of the rest of the info but I can find out if you're interested.
 
My Pulsare/Promax 225 loved the 'worked' 23" Tempest Plus for pulling.......................
 
Based on the RPM's you are currently turning and the fact the engine still has rings that are still " seating" as part of the break-in process I would say your assessment of the the picking a "High-Five" is dead-on.

That prop is designed specifically for skiing and will pull anything right NOW out of the hole. You should stick with the 25" pitch as the 23" will really wind your engine too high.

Just remember that this is a specific need prop. The top end is like hitting a wall. Great acceleration and mid-range isn't bad but it falls flat on the big side.

Good Luck!
 
If I remember correctly I ran a 25 pitch HI-Five on my 17' Spectra with a Merc 150 XR2. It was a great hole shot prop with strong midrange and very smooth running.
 
No question about it, the new Turning Point Classic 4 blade will give you all the pulling power you could hope for! I ran one in a 25" Friday on a 2000 Pulsare BR with a new 225 Opti. Did not get a chance to run it flat out as the engine was fresh from the crate, but hole shot and mid range was awsome! boatman
 
I don't think you will be very happy with the small diameter Hi-five on that motor. 25" 4 blade; Trophy, PT TRO4, etc. is the better choice. You might even find you leave it on all the time. We ski behind my 25" TRO4 and I'm only turning 200 HP...no problems.
 
I fail to understand why you guys are so against the Hi 5 for waterskiing? I have yet to see a better prop for that purpose. I am also curious how many of you have ever tried one?

In my opinion if watersports is something to do often and you are willing to spend some $$, and you don't mind changing props buy a 23" Hi 5. Just remember not to go and hold it to the pin all over creation.

These props will pop your boat up very quickly and hold the boat on plane at slower speeds, which can be adventageous when tubing with children etc. It will work gtreat for slalom as well.
 
I run a trophy plus 25P. It has a great holeshot for skiing. I'm going to borrow a friends high-five prop tomorrow. I'll see how it does against the trophy plus. I'll post back here with some results. :thumb:
 
JUPITER PULSARE said:
I just got a Tempest Plus 25 to try on my Pulsare 2100/225XRI!! Hopefully I'll run it tomorrow and post some results.
Click to expand...


I bet you'll be happy with speeds. The Tempest Plus 25 gave me my best topspeed but getting on plane and out of the hole was a lot better with my Trophy Plus 25. Good Luck !:thumb:
 
Well I ran a 23P High-five today......... I wasn't actually pulling skiers or tubes , just myself and my son. Peformance/holeshot was moderate to good. I still think my trophy has a better holeshot. The blade design/surface area on the hi-5 looks impressive but I was not impressed with the lowend performance. I was expecting the holeshot to be very strong, at times I would blow this prop out ? It had a decent topend of 66-67mph(gps) 6200rpms. All in all not a bad prop but I'd still put my money with the trophy for good all around performance.:thumb:
 
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