1. Use the full 4 digit year for everything you are asking your question about. Example: 1962, 1988, 2000, 2011
2. Include the correct name of your Whaler model. Example: Montauk 17, Montauk 170, Outrage 26, Outrage 260
3. Include the length when necessary. Example: 16, 17, 18, 20, 22
4. Do not post your email address anywhere on this site as it is already in your user profile.

Prop Upgrade from Yamaha Painted Stainless Steel 17M
GraemeD	#1  Posted on 01/28/14 - 12:38 PM
Member Posts: 4 Comments: 0 Joined: 01/26/14	I would appreciate advice regarding a suitable upgrade from a 1996 vintage Yamaha black stainless 17M propeller fitted to a 1996 Yamaha v6 200hp mounted on a 21 foot 21 degree deadrise dual console fiberglass boat. I've just bought the boat and while performance is nothing to complain about (48 mph @5900 rpm WOT and great trim range availability - motor is mounted 3rd hole from the top) I figure propeller technology has moved on in the last 18 years and would like to upgrade. I had a Mercury Offshore 17 inch pitch that I tried and the difference between the Yamaha was interesting - 43 mph @ 5600 rpm, and very limited trim availability before cavitation and the hole shot seemed no better. The boat is used for water sports over the summer months and ocean fishing all year round, so I would like a prop which offers good hole shot and cruising performance, as well as a good low planing speed to make the trip home in our horrible afternoon chop tolerable. My research points to a Mercury Enertia as being a good choice, the question I would like to pose pertains to which pitch to choose. Should I get a 17 inch, or go up or down one size to allow for the different characteristics of the Enertia? Are there other propellers which I should consider? Unfortunately I don't have luxury of being able to try before I buy so I've got one chance. Many thanks Graeme Edited by Tom W Clark on 01/29/14 - 9:41 AM
Tom W Clark	#2  Posted on 01/28/14 - 8:54 PM
Member Personal Page Posts: 4280 Comments: 7 Joined: 09/30/05	Graeme -- The Yamaha Painted Stainless Steel propeller is an old design but most folks do not realize it is a good performer and better than a lot of other popular propeller models *for some applications*. Because of it (almost) unique semi-cleaver design and minimal blade rake, it is a good stern lifter for a three blade. I think it will be hard to answer your question precisely because this is a Boston Whaler site where we have a great deal of familiarity with specific models and how they perform. Perhaps if you gave some specific details about your boat, we come up with some recommendations. Your motor is now mounted two holes up with only one more hole left to go. There is no way anybody here can effectively comment on if that is good or bad without knowing what boat you have a seeing how the motor runs relative to the surface of the water eat speed. I can tell from your description of the Mercury Offshore (nka VenSura) that the motor is moderatley high. The Offshore/VenSura will ONLY perform well if it is fully submerged and that means lower motor mounting height. As soon the blade tips break the surface this propeller model will ventilate and loose grip. This is why the Offshore/VenSura does well on sterndrives which do no really have any vertical adjustment of the outdrive. Yes, the Mercury Enertia might be a good choice. Your motor has a 5500 RPM redline so the prop it has now is allowing a little too much RPM. When going form a Yamaha M Series Painted Stainless Steel prop to the Enertia, I'd expect RPM to be comparable pitch-for-pitch. In this case you might want to find a 14-1/4" x 18" Enertia which should bring your WOT RPM down to the recommended range. You might even get away with a 14" x 19" Enertia.
GraemeD	#3  Posted on 01/29/14 - 12:12 AM
Member Posts: 4 Comments: 0 Joined: 01/26/14	Tom Thank you for your reply and advice. One more question about your terminology if thats okay I presume a stern lifting prop is more appropriate for a boat which is stern heavy - i.e. a hull which sits clearly stern down at rest and a bow lifting prop is for hulls which are more neutral in their static attitude? My boat falls into the second category, and sits with the chine only just submerged at the transom at rest. It is a Buccaneer 635 Esprite dual console, they are locally made and not exported. A possible equivalent in the US would possibly be a Sea Ray 210 dual console from 1999 or so, except my motor is mounted on an integrated portifino stern with about 12 inch set back from the end of the planing surface. If 18 inch pitch is where I want to be, from my description do you think I should be seeking a bow lifting or stern lifting design? Many thanks again
whalerman	#4  Posted on 01/29/14 - 7:49 AM
Member Posts: 540 Comments: 5 Joined: 06/26/07	Might want to take that painted 17m prop to get the cupping continued around the tip, as from the factory the cupping stops mid-way around. This change improved the prop from slipping, or blow out, to hanging on on an Edgewater 205 ex with a F150 Yamaha in turns. THOM : 1999 Outrage 18, 2012 E-TEC 150, 2012 EZ Loader trailer
Tom W Clark	#5  Posted on 01/29/14 - 8:36 AM
Member Personal Page Posts: 4280 Comments: 7 Joined: 09/30/05	This boat? http://www.buccaneer.co.nz/635-esprit...l-bowrider 20'-9" LOA (hull) 8' beam 2225 pounds 250 HP max. 66 gallon fuel capacity 8 persons max.
Tom W Clark	#6  Posted on 01/29/14 - 8:40 AM
Member Personal Page Posts: 4280 Comments: 7 Joined: 09/30/05	I'd try: 14-1/4" x 18" Mercury Enertia 15-1/2" x 17" Mercury MIRAGEplus 14-1/4" x 17" Turbo 1/ Stiletto Advantage 14-1/4" x 18" Yamaha Performance Series 3-Blade (same model as Turbo 1 and Advantage, but offered in even pitches)
GraemeD	#7  Posted on 01/29/14 - 10:39 AM
Member Posts: 4 Comments: 0 Joined: 01/26/14	Whalerman, thanks for the tip - I'll investigate with the local prop guy Tom- yes that's it exactly. There is a Yamaha 17T stainless suitable for V6 gearcases available locally at a very attractive price - in your view would this be a step forward or backward from the 17M? Thanks Graeme
Tom W Clark	#8  Posted on 01/29/14 - 10:48 AM
Member Personal Page Posts: 4280 Comments: 7 Joined: 09/30/05	No, you do not want a T series propeller. It is meant for high horsepower (250-300) motors on large heavy boats. Not a good fit for you.
GraemeD	#9  Posted on 01/29/14 - 12:51 PM
Member Posts: 4 Comments: 0 Joined: 01/26/14	Thanks Tom, just want I wanted to know. Once I've purchased and tested I'll advise how I got on.
Tom W Clark	#10  Posted on 01/29/14 - 5:55 PM
Member Personal Page Posts: 4280 Comments: 7 Joined: 09/30/05	Doing some rough estimating, it looks like it would cost $110-$120 ($130-$140 NZ dollars) to mail a propeller from the US to New Zealand via USPS Priority Mail International. I don't know the retail price of boat propellers in Christchurch, but it may actually be economical to shop eBay for a prop, or some other vendor in the US, and have it shipped to you.