How is a Michigan Wheel SST prop on a small 55 HP

[CorB]

Hi,<br /><br />I have a 1978 Johnson 55 HP 2 cylinder.<br />I know this isn't a high performance beast, but I like to get the best of handling and performance out of this little motor.<br />It has a 11 3/4 x 17 aluminium OMC prop and it's mounted on a 14 foot glastron V-Hull.<br /><br />It's a fresh and rebuilt engine with wiseco's.<br />With a medium load it will top out at 5800 RPM and reaches 34 MPH. When I'm alone in the boat it reaches 6000 RPM and 37 MPH.<br />The outboard is mounted fairly high, with the anti cavitation plate 1,5 - 2" above the bottom of the hull.<br />There is too much blowout in corners so I think I need to lower it or get a better prop.<br />The Holeshot isn't terrific, and heavier skiers will not get easy out of the water.<br />I've recently bought a used universal powertrim & tilt, because my outboard hasn't got one.<br /><br />There aren't too many props available for this outboard, especially not second hand.<br />So I found a used 11 3/4 x 17 Michigan Wheel SST for sale. Is this prop comparable with the OMC aluminium or is it much better or even worse? Or will I be better off buying a new SST prop from a different brand?<br /><br />Thanks in advance.

 

[DJ]

Re: How is a Michigan Wheel SST prop on a small 55 HP

CorB,<br /><br />I've never had good luck with MI Wheels.<br /><br />It sounds like you have the pitch right.

 

[Dhadley]

Re: How is a Michigan Wheel SST prop on a small 55 HP

I would agree, the pitch sounds about right. If you get a better prop youll also get better cupping. That will help the prop bite better in turns.<br /><br />The little 2 cylinder doesnt make a lot of torque so we might have to go to a lower pitch for skiing. <br /><br />I may have a "once tested" Turbo or Stiletto if that would help. E-mail me directly at dhadley50@aol.com and use "Prop" as the subject. That should be a really fun rig.

 

[CorB]

Re: How is a Michigan Wheel SST prop on a small 55 HP

DJ & Dhadley,<br /><br />Thanks for your response and thanks for confirming the doubts I had about the Michigan.<br /><br />I also think I need to drop pitch & speed and get a better hole shot in return. According to my manual a 12 1/4 x 15 would be the one for my motor.<br />But I wonder if the cupping of a SST, would worsen the holeshot a bit, even if it is a pitch lower. The best answer to this question would be to try I guess, but I feel I haven't got that much choice, because a 13" pitch would lose too much speed in my opinion. Any thoughts about that?<br /><br />The Glastron is indeed a funny rig. It's an oldie, but it handles great as long as you don't throw too much weight in it.<br /><br />I dropped you an e-mail Dhadley.<br /><br />

<br /><br />

 

[WillyBWright]

Re: How is a Michigan Wheel SST prop on a small 55 HP

So much for my post. I was going to say that it isn't worth it. You won't see more than another mph, maybe 2. But that boat and motor are awful purty and a shiny stainless would look cool.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: How is a Michigan Wheel SST prop on a small 55 HP

I have 13, 15 and 17 pitch for my Evinrude and it likes the 15 best pushing a bigger boat than yours. (Nice rig by the way). 13 is too little pitch. Actually the 15 (cupped) and 17 (uncupped) perform pretty much the same but I have the 15 on it for the duration. The 40-50 HP two bangers are good little motors.

 

[Dhadley]

Re: How is a Michigan Wheel SST prop on a small 55 HP

The idea of the cupping is to allow you to raise the motor (increase the X dimension) which improves your efficiency overall. That means a better holeshot plus more top end. <br /><br />I noticed in your pic the motor is mounted all the way up now. Looks good. I think a 3 blade Stiletto would work well.

 

[DJ]

Re: How is a Michigan Wheel SST prop on a small 55 HP

Nice rig. Always a soft spot, in my heart, for Glastrons.<br /><br />I fell in love with them after their movie debut in James Bond's-"Live and Let Die".

 

[CorB]

Re: How is a Michigan Wheel SST prop on a small 55 HP

Thanks a lot guys for your help & positive comments, you can't imagine how much I appreciate it.<br /><br />I'm going to focus on a 15" Stiletto. Meanwhile I'm going to mount my universal powertrim & tilt, so I'm getting a bit of setback also, at least for what it's worth on this setup. But I hope it helps also a bit on the blowout problem. I know I can't gain a lot of performance with this baby, but I'm more amused by outrunning a comparable and preferably newly rigged boat & motor, then by actual speed.<br /><br />It's all about the fun factor.