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I've now had my Stiletto 12X11 pitch prop on my 1998 Merc 60hp, 2 stroke for about 2 months. With the Merc/Stiletto on my Dauntless 15, my hole shot is great (no Dole fin anymore), cruise easily at 16-17mph. WOT speed is 34mph at 5200. However, I have some prop rattle at lower rpms (below 1200) that is beginning to annoy me. Above 1500 rpm we're smooth as silk so I know the prop is true , but I spend a lot of time at low speed and would like to smooth things out.
I'm wondering if the Merc Trophy Sport 4 blade SS would be a good alternative to the Stiletto. I suspect the 12 pich would be the way to go on my Dauntless 15, but am not sure.
So...........has anyone had any experience with the Trophy Sport 4 blade SS on a small gearcase Merc??
Was that annoying prop rattling there when you first installed the prop, or has that developed since? I seem to remember you being very happy with that prop selection just recently...something may be happening inside your lower unit?
The prop rattle has been there from the beginning. I've been told this is often the case particularly when larger diameter stainless props are used on smaller gearcase engines. My mechanic says there is no cause for concern. I can live with it, since the other performance advantages far outweigh the "annoyance" factor. But if changing out to a smaller diameter, 4 blade will give me the same stern lift advantage as the larger 3 blade, I'd be tempted.
I bet you can get the same or better stern lift from a 4 blade prop, but the sacrifice would be in top speed, if there were to be a sacrifice at all. At least that is the way I currently understand it...I am sure a real expert will get in here soon, good luck!
Why not check with your local Mercury dealer? I bet he would let you try one of those props out and even recommend a size that would come close to the same top end speed and RPM for you. I think you can use the Mercury website to calculate a replacement prop in 4 blade that is equivalent to what you are using if I am not mistaken....check it out with a web search for Mercury.
Silentpardner wrote:
Why not check with your local Mercury dealer? I bet he would let you try one of those props out and even recommend a size that would come close to the same top end speed and RPM for you. I think you can use the Mercury website to calculate a replacement prop in 4 blade that is equivalent to what you are using if I am not mistaken....check it out with a web search for Mercury.
Good idea, thanks.
I did use the Mercury Prop configurator and the Trophy Sport 10.625 X 12 pitch was the one recommended.
It would be nice to have some "real world" input on this prop, however.
