Damaged Mercruiser prop..Next?

[SSSuper83]

Hello all...

Long story short, just swapped an Alpha 1 Gen 1 outdrive onto my 83 19' Sea Sprite bowrider. The original 898 outdrive has a 14 x 19 Michigan aluminum prop. I was going to use it just for the initial test run..but after taking the 898 prop off I found a half wasted thrust washer and significant grinding away of the spanner nut that holds the gears in the lower unit. Also the prop hub is jammed into the prop at least a half inch from the thrust washer. Any clue as to how this could possibly happen???

Since a prop replacement is now on the list..can anyone steer me in the right direction where to start with pitch and material?

Some specs..

228 Merc 5.0 with center risers and thru hull
1.5 gear ratio
Hydraulic trim tabs
Alpha 1 drive

I dont do a lot of skiing or wakeboarding, and I plan to spend quite a bit of time at or near WOT. Also am pretty good at keeping the prop from getting beat up (Lake Michigan). Looking for something that is going to get me the most top speed without completely killing the boat at the bottom end. I also do not usually carry more than a couple passengers and not much gear. I should be able to get on plane pretty well with the tabs, so again, looking for something more geared towards the top end.

Any help would be great! Thanks!

 

[SSSuper83]

Re: Damaged Mercruiser prop..Next?

Not a single reply?? And I thought I spelled it out pretty good...

 

[steelespike]

Re: Damaged Mercruiser prop..Next?

I guess its a little late but::
While there are some real experts here one is busy fighting oil in the gulf.
Without some baseline numbers its pretty difficult to pick a prop accurately.
I would start with a 19" al prop,perhaps the same make and model, and get an idea of the performance.
Pick a prop said to produce good speed. Its good to have a spare anyway
when you move up to a more sofisticated prop.It seems to me that for speed you would want a little more prop but its easier to deal with being under propped than over propped.

 

[SSSuper83]

Re: Damaged Mercruiser prop..Next?

Thanks, I know its hard to get an idea of what you need without some numbers. I think I am going to go with the Solas 14 x 21" prop here on Iboats. If I can salvage the old prop I will at least have some sort of comparison. Thanks again.