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SS Prop for 130 Sport
Ric232	#1  Posted on 06/17/10 - 4:41 PM
Member Posts: 194 Comments: 0 Joined: 05/11/08	Currently have 2008 130 Sport with Mercury 40-hp 4-stroke (aka "Torqueless Wonder" - I hate 4 strokes !!). Current performance with stock 3-blade Black Max prop (10.25 x 14P), 2.00:1 gear, with a light load is 6150 rpm, 38.5 mph. I raised the motor one notch so it is mounted one notch below the highest setting. I'm trying to determine the best stainless prop option for this boat. Based on my past boats (including a 23' Baja w/ 415hp), I'm a big believer in Mercury Propellers, but the only Merc 3-blade SS prop available for this boat is the Vengeance, which is very "plain vanilla." I'm wondering if anyone recommends either the Michigan Wheel Apollo or the Turbo Hot Shot. Despite my WOT rpm's being a little high, I don't want to go up in pitch because I'm usually carrying more than a light load. Thanks. Edited by Ric232 on 06/17/10 - 5:12 PM
Tom W Clark	#2  Posted on 06/17/10 - 5:12 PM
Member Personal Page Posts: 4280 Comments: 7 Joined: 09/30/05	So, what is it that you are after? Faster top speed? Better acceleration? More pulling power for water sports? Better fuel economy? The 10-1/4" x 14" Vengeance would probably be fine. The Stiletto Triad 3.5 might do a little better. You'd probably need to drop down to their 10-1/2" x 13" pitch to keep your RPM where it's at. The Turbo Hot Shot is the same prop.
Ric232	#3  Posted on 06/17/10 - 5:14 PM
Member Posts: 194 Comments: 0 Joined: 05/11/08	Not really looking to improve anything specific other than to have the overall benefits of stainless. Does the Turbo/Stiletto have some cup to it? Is that why you recommend a 13P? Oh, and can the ugly pink label on the Stiletto props be removed? Sorry, just a pet peeve of mine. Edited by Ric232 on 06/17/10 - 5:16 PM
Tom W Clark	#4  Posted on 06/17/10 - 5:35 PM
Member Personal Page Posts: 4280 Comments: 7 Joined: 09/30/05	All modern propellers have cupping. The Stilettos just seem to run a little "tall". You can peel those decals right off, it's what I do. I agree they are cheesy and amatuerishly designed. I wish they would start casting their logo into the hubs as they are doing on several of the larger models. The decal is the only difference between the Stiletto and the Turbo in that model.
Ric232	#5  Posted on 06/17/10 - 6:47 PM
Member Posts: 194 Comments: 0 Joined: 05/11/08	When I look at a Vengeance, there is no visible cupping, just like the Black Max. That's why I asked.
Tom W Clark	#6  Posted on 06/17/10 - 6:52 PM
Member Personal Page Posts: 4280 Comments: 7 Joined: 09/30/05	Lay a straight edge across both and you'll see.
Ric232	#7  Posted on 06/17/10 - 6:54 PM
Member Posts: 194 Comments: 0 Joined: 05/11/08	Ok, thanks. Last question: I'm assuming there would be no benefit to a 4-blade Trophy Sport, unless perhaps I raised the motor one notch to the top hole. Any thoughts?
Tom W Clark	#8  Posted on 06/17/10 - 7:09 PM
Member Personal Page Posts: 4280 Comments: 7 Joined: 09/30/05	I do not know the answer to that last question. You could try a Trophy Sport, then we'd all know.
theo	#9  Posted on 06/19/10 - 1:42 PM
Member Personal Page Posts: 252 Comments: 0 Joined: 08/26/08	Ric, if your 14p isn't damaged and you're thinking of selling it, I've been wanting to drop down an inch on my 60hp. (I'd have to figure out first if it would fit my motor.) I'm turning about 5300 at just over 40 mph and have a pretty sluggish hole shot. Thanks. Ted Edited by theo on 06/19/10 - 1:43 PM Ted 1985 15' CC, 1994 60 hp Merc (Wednesday built), 5" jack plate
Ric232	#10  Posted on 06/19/10 - 2:05 PM
Member Posts: 194 Comments: 0 Joined: 05/11/08	theo wrote: Ric, if your 14p isn't damaged and you're thinking of selling it, I've been wanting to drop down an inch on my 60hp. (I'd have to figure out first if it would fit my motor.) I'm turning about 5300 at just over 40 mph and have a pretty sluggish hole shot. Thanks. Ted I suspect I'll keep it as a spare.
theo	#11  Posted on 06/19/10 - 3:53 PM
Member Personal Page Posts: 252 Comments: 0 Joined: 08/26/08	No worries. Ted 1985 15' CC, 1994 60 hp Merc (Wednesday built), 5" jack plate
number9	#12  Posted on 06/20/10 - 12:06 AM
Member Posts: 210 Comments: 1 Joined: 03/13/08	Will not defend your opinion of the Merc of topic. Mercury 40-hp 4-stroke (aka "Torqueless Wonder" - I hate 4 strokes !!) With your gearing, diameter of prop and pitches available you may want to experiment and find what ever your current prop is lacking. To label a Merc as being a "Torqueless Wonder" may not be a fair assessment. Unless mistaken, most here will tell you gear ratio and pitch of prop will even out torque of most motors unless a true DOG. You purchase a small boat/motor combination and shouldn't expect it to be a rocket out of the hole and at WOT without some compromises. You want torque when running your boat you may have to choose a prop that gives less WOT, it may exceed max rpm. Most 'modern" motors have rev limiters and you may not need to as concerned. Edited by Tom W Clark on 06/20/10 - 9:29 AM Bill...On the Ogeechee 1984 Outrage 18...Yamaha T50...that's right, 50hp
Ric232	#13  Posted on 06/20/10 - 8:28 AM
Member Posts: 194 Comments: 0 Joined: 05/11/08	number9 wrote: To label a Merc as being a "Torqueless Wonder" may not be a fair assessment. I'm not picking on Mercury. Any 40hp 4-stroke is going to be a "Torqueless Wonder." I'm fully aware of the trade-off I could make by reducing the prop pitch. But it's a trade-off I would not need to make with a 2-stroke.