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Prop holes
timt1	#1  Posted on 10/31/10 - 8:24 PM
Member Posts: 17 Comments: 0 Joined: 08/14/10	Has anyone heard of or had experience with holes drilled on circumferance of prop hub at the base of each blade ? I believe some props even came factory drilled as such for performance.
Ralph Iorio	#2  Posted on 11/01/10 - 5:15 AM
Member Personal Page Posts: 86 Comments: 1 Joined: 06/30/10	Just spent a bunch of time looking for the correct prop for my rig and in the process handled quite a few new and used at dealers and marinas. Not one time do I recall seeing anything like you're describing nor have I heard of such a design. Not being an engineer of any sort, can't imagine the benefit of such holes in the hub. 1989 Montauk 17 w 1989 Johnson 90
John Fyke	#3  Posted on 11/01/10 - 5:21 AM
Member Personal Page Posts: 1307 Comments: 0 Joined: 09/06/06	Had a prop on a bass boat with holes drilled in it. I was told it was to suck more water in but I don't know for sure. John Fyke Re-Fit or Reef It 1979 15' Sport with Super Sport conversion and 70hp mercury.
CES	#4  Posted on 11/01/10 - 5:21 AM
Member Personal Page Photo Albums Project Albums Posts: 2681 Comments: 7 Joined: 04/27/07	The holes you're referring to are on the hub of the prop and are used on higher performance props to help prevent ventilation. Typically you'll see the holes in the hubs when the props don't have a ring on the end of the hub or the hub isn't bent upwards toward the end of the hub. Edited by CES on 11/01/10 - 7:38 AM Cliff 1966 13' Sport with a 1993 40hp Yamaha 2 Smoker
John Fyke	#5  Posted on 11/01/10 - 6:02 AM
Member Personal Page Posts: 1307 Comments: 0 Joined: 09/06/06	Look close and you can see a hole at the base of the hub. [IMG]http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e283/Protek9543/Stratos/DSC02151.jpg[/IMG] John Fyke Re-Fit or Reef It 1979 15' Sport with Super Sport conversion and 70hp mercury.
John Fyke	#6  Posted on 11/01/10 - 6:09 AM
Member Personal Page Posts: 1307 Comments: 0 Joined: 09/06/06	The holes are for hole shot and don't have anything to do with cavitation only ventilation. John Fyke Re-Fit or Reef It 1979 15' Sport with Super Sport conversion and 70hp mercury.
scrimshaw	#7  Posted on 11/01/10 - 8:48 AM
Member Posts: 437 Comments: 0 Joined: 09/09/07	On acceleration, exhaust is drawn out of the vent hole. When the propeller blade strikes this aerated water, it pushes through it much easier than it would solid water – causing engine rpm to increase more rapidly. Once you’re on plane, the water flows over the vent holes and seals in the exhaust, allowing the propeller to again operate in solid, nonaerated water.
Finnegan	#8  Posted on 11/01/10 - 4:24 PM
Member Posts: 1926 Comments: 16 Joined: 05/02/08	Prop vent holes have been a staple in Mercury's performance prop arsenal for over 20 years. You can learn everything you need to know here: http://www.mercurymarine.com/propelle...ogies/pvs/ Many new Boston Whalers come with vented design Mercury props such as the Mirage Plus, Revoulation-4, Enertia, and Laser II. I would not drill holes in a prop that did not come that way from the factory, and indication they are not needed. They are generally not used on any HP engine 60 or less. If you englarge this photo full size and look carefully, you can see the prop vents in these Mercury Revoution-4's on my 200 EFI's. I am running the largest diameter vent plugs. http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v42...CN1464.jpg
timt1	#9  Posted on 11/01/10 - 4:44 PM
Member Posts: 17 Comments: 0 Joined: 08/14/10	Hey thanks everyone. I now have a better understanding of these holes.
Tom W Clark	#10  Posted on 11/03/10 - 8:01 AM
Member Personal Page Posts: 4280 Comments: 7 Joined: 09/30/05	Vent holes o propellers are very common these days. As mentioned above, they serve to help an outboard accelerate by allowing some slip but for the vast majority of Whalers there is no point in using them because most Whaler do not struggle to get on plane. Furthermore, vent holes can be a nuisance if you accelerate onto plane gently or try to hold plane at low speeds. There are some large, marginally powered Whalers that make good use of vented propellers but these tend to be four strokes that have a hard time generating much torque until they achieve a certain RPM. If you waterski with your Whaler, you may benefit from vent holes to help compensate for the sudden heavy load of a skier. The Mercury props with their PVS vent hole system is the best because you can simply snap plugs into the vent holes which is the first thing I do when I install Mercury props on my boat.
timt1	#11  Posted on 11/03/10 - 2:03 PM
Member Posts: 17 Comments: 0 Joined: 08/14/10	Thanks to everyone who responded....this is one fantatic site!