Offshoreonly.com - 22' cuddy Prop selection

2006 Stingray 220 CS Loaded weight approx. 3300 lbs
Mercruiser 5.0 MPI 260 HP 1.62
Alpha Current prop: 21" Laser II SS
Smart Tabs installed, worked great
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The Laser II dropped RPM's by about 300 rpm versus Black Max 21" aluminum 3 blade , speed up

1) 20" Alpha 4 four blade aluminum
2) 21" High 5 SS I understand the High 5 will be 150 to 300 rpm higher than my current 21" Laser II, that comes from Stingray. I have that much room for more rpm now. Tremendous difference in price between the two props.

The Alpha 4 is supposed to lose about 2-4 mph in top end, and dramatically increase reverse and slow speed steering. The High 5 is supposed to be marginally slower than the Laser II, a bit faster than the Alpha 4. Since I've seen no tests between the two, I don't know. Question is this. Does the High 5 maintain the great handling and slow-speed steering characteristics of the standard 4-blade props? If so, I'm headed towards one since I love the added cruising control of the SS props over the aluminum props.

My overall goal is to increase the terrible slow speed reverse steering, and give up as little top end as I have to in order to accomplish it. The gains from the 3 blade aluminum to the Laser II were more than I expected. I did lose RPM's, but the control and thrust I gained were measurable. Cruising is much better, a lot less slip. Towing power for tubes is night and day with the SS prop.

I want to remain with a SS prop. I'd like less bow lift, which I had with the standard prop. It rode better when the old aluminum was on it, this is a light boat, not a wave crasher.

It's a difficult boat to find the right prop for. Stingray's results have shown a Mirage Plus to be a poor choice for these boats. They also stated on the web site that possibly going to a 23" HI 5 works very well if I'm in the mid range of the rpm. I'd probably have to use a little venting with a 23", don't know.