Stainless Steel Prop Recommendation

[johnjsa]

I have a 1982 15 1/2 foot Bomber Bassmaster with a 1977 Johnson 70 Hp motor. The prop currently is a 17 inch aluminum which turns wot rpm's of 6,000, fully loaded with gear & 2 big men. I also have a CMC tilt/trim unit which has the motor's cavitation plate about 2 inches above the keel of the boat. I was wondering with the info given, would a 17 or 19 inch pitch stainless be best? Thanks.

 

[Dhadley]

Re: Stainless Steel Prop Recommendation

If the aluminum prop is in good shape then I'd stick with the same pitch in ss. If the prop is wore out and the rpm is "artifical" - so to speak - then we'll look at something else.

 

[johnjsa]

Re: Stainless Steel Prop Recommendation

The prop is decent, but does have quite a few nicks and dings on it. Also I forgot to mention the motor has a Doelfin on the cavitation plate, it had it on it when I bought the boat used. Don't know if that makes a difference or not. Thanks.

 

[Dhadley]

Re: Stainless Steel Prop Recommendation

Nicks & small dings are one thing but if the prop is worn a lot the high rpm's may be from slip, not the power of the motor. Do we have an accurate speed to complete the baseline?<br /><br />If I were testing, I'd be real tempted to see if a 19 would work. It should bring the r's down a tad but that should be overcome with additional lift provided by the ss prop.<br /><br />The other option would be an 18 Turbo Lightning Jr.

 

[johnjsa]

Re: Stainless Steel Prop Recommendation

Loaded down with gear & 2 guys, it runs about 36 mph, trimmed up. I was thinking of going with a 19. I work with a guy who had an identical boat a while back & he ran a 19 on it, gained some top end speed & still came out of the hole. Who makes the 18 Turbo?

 

[Dhadley]

Re: Stainless Steel Prop Recommendation

The Lightning and Lightning Jr are made by Turbo Propeller Co. Large diameter, very good props. The Lightning Jr is 13 1/2 x 18. It has lots of lift. If you can swing a 19, I'd sure look at the L Jr.<br /><br />Send me you email address to dhadley50@aol.com and I'll send you a pic.

 

[Dhadley]

Re: Stainless Steel Prop Recommendation

You're at about 15% slip with the 19 alum. I'm guessing a little of the rpm is from some wear but it's not bad really. I'd bet that 18 would do real well.