Another prop question

[MinUph]

I've posted my problem before and nothing worked. I have a 40 HP Honda that has very limited choices in props. I both a 4 blade that Michigan Prop recommended that drove my RPMs fro 4500 to 4000. So I took it back off and went with the one I've had. Well I dragged bottom today and one blade bent a little. Not bad for 3 years. So I'm going to get it repaired but want to ask about these pontoon props some of you have mentioned. Where do I find these and what other avenues can I pursue to find a better prop for the Honda? I dont want any SS jobs, seems like a waste for 14 MPH LOL.

 

[ahicks]

Can't help with different props. My experience limited to OEM and Michigan Wheel.

Re: that 4 blade? Many GOOD repair shops can re-pitch that prop (within reason) pretty reasonably. I would think it worth your trouble to track one down. Consider they have to pretty much do the same to straighten a bent one? Cutting down the diameter might also be an option. Talk to them and let them know what you're doing and they may be willing to provide some guidance on which way to go. Used to deal with a pretty good shop up here. You'll want to deal direct with the repair shop. Dealing through a normal dealer or marina (that jobs prop repairs out to a shop like I'm thinking of), much will be lost in translation.

An idea of what a good shop can do when prodded a little? Had kind of a ski boat/hot rod, where with their help and a little experimenting, we were eventually able to run a little smaller dia. prop with extra cup added to make up that. It allowed us an extra 5mph or so. Less dia. = less drag, and with the extra cupping, we were able to trim the engine out further without cavitation. Created a whole new driving experience for sure! Boat was crazy fast, but in anything over a very light chop felt really "loose" at top speed....

Shouldn't you be up closer to 5500 rpm?

 

[MinUph]

Yes the Honda should top out at 6000. I'd be happy with 5500. I have talked to a pro guy that told me to use the 4 blade and raid the motor a notch. Didn't work at all.

 

[MikDee]

IMHO, A Michigan wheel prop is the bottom of the barrel, it is cheap, and generic in design. If you can't get a Mercury prop to fit, I think an OMC prop, or a Stiletto, would work better.

 

[achris]

Mercury's prop selector program (which actually works very well) is suggesting a prop with a pitch of 11.7 inches, so a 12" will probably be the best bet. Mercury props have interchangeable hubs, so will fit any engine.

Chris.......

 

[MaPaHa]

I'm with ahicks. If you still have that 4 blade I would check a shop to see if it could be re-pitched. I don't think you can get to 6,000 rpm from 4,000 with the same prop but they might be able to hit 5,000. I've had one re-pitched and it hit what I was looking for. I was told at the time they could go about an inch on the re-pitch without any trouble but we were talking about a specific prop. I'm not sure if that's a standard rule or not.

 

[MinUph]

I'll check out both Merc and the prop guy here.