Remember, you pay for what you get.
First - something is wrong. No way going from a 17 to a 19 is going to drop
the rpms by 1300. 300 would be right.
Second - That is a heavy boat and w/ the 305 you really need a good SS prop
to get this boat to perform. A good 4 blade SS prop used should be
available in an 18 pitch.
Third - the pirahana prop will flex under this load and will not hold it
shape or be very good out of the hole for your load.
Fourth - I don't know why people think a SS prop is going to tear up stuff.
They obviously don't have much boating experience. The hub is the weak link
in the prop/drivetrain. What will peal the ear off an aluminum or composite
prop will not even scratch the SS prop or the outdrive. If you hit
something hard enough to tear up your drive w/ a SS prop - you will tear it
up w/ the aluminum one also as you are going to hit the drive on the object
and not just the prop.

Bottom line - Get a 4 blade SS 18pitch and find out how your boat is
supposed to perform.


--
Tony
my boats at http://t.thomas.home.mchsi.com

"Jeff Brown" wrote in message
...
Anybody have any experience with the segmented composite props like the
4-blade Pirahana?
Pros and cons from the real world? As always the ads look good.
Most of the use will be for wakeboarding and cruising. I am looking at an
18P x 4 blade for an '86 20' Chapparal with 305 Alpha 1. Currently using a
17P alum 3 blade which will over-rev up to ~5100. 19P x 3 blade alum
yeilds
top rev of 3800 and no pull.
Not keen on SS due to cost and potential damage to lower drive if I hit
something in the water.
Thanks in advance.
jbrown