Dinged my prop and pride, but probably not for the last time...

Lowe170

Seaman
Joined
Apr 9, 2011
Messages
60
Switching out my freshly dinged aluminum 14x17 prop (model # 176214; OEM Johnson/Evinrude prop I think) for a 13.5X15 Solas Amita 3 (2411-135-15) aluminum prop (thru iBoats:) after looking through threads and options. I run a 2000 Johnson 70hp (J70PLSSD) on my 16.5 ft tinner (2000 Lowe 170 aluminum bass boat.) This is my first boat, acquired this spring, and it had the 14x17 prop on it. I am a bit concerned about losing top end speed with the new prop; I was able to hit 40 mph at about 5,600 rpm, but usually was slow getting on plane and needed my passenger to help shift his weight forward on the front deck to get started. So I'm hoping the new prop will eliminate that song and dance.
Any thoughts on the "wisdom" of this size change? I'll find out for myself next week on the water...
I messed the prop up after getting caught in a low tide after fishing a sweet spot and dredged a new canal out of a creek through what turned out to be more than just weeds/grass... Prop1.jpgProp2.jpg
The photos aren't the best, but you can see the blades edges are nicked and bent in many spots. At least it can be an emergency spare. Is it cost effective to try to get this prop repaired/refinished? The new one was less than $100, and it can become the spare if there's a better choice for me to make... Thanks.
 

cdn-pk

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
May 20, 2009
Messages
162
Re: Dinged my prop and pride, but probably not for the last time...

the only thing that i might worry about is the increased rpms. you're at 5600 already if you decrease 2" pitch (from 17 to 15) and decrease diameter, both of which will increase your rpms at wot. you'd probably be looking at 6000 rpm. this seems a little high but hopefully someone else will chime in here.
 

Lowe170

Seaman
Joined
Apr 9, 2011
Messages
60
Re: Dinged my prop and pride, but probably not for the last time...

Thanks cdn-pk. Well I guess that I'll have a much better hole shot but will need to back off near wot if the rpms get too high. There don't seem to be too many other prop size options for me, apart from maybe the 13.75 x 15 (if that .25" would make much of a difference over the 13.5 diameter of my new one.) I've added a couple of pix to show what I'm rocking...
View attachment 112419View attachment 112420
 
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