My prop was stolen, need new one fast

[barry769]

I've been robbed! My prop was stolen last night when the boat was in my driveway getting prepped for a trip. I'm in desperate need to buy a new prop as I'm leaving on a boating vacation on Thursday after work. Unfortunately, I have no clue what I need to order.

Here's the specs on the boat
2004 Captiva 212 BR
2004 Mercruiser 5.0L Alpha (220 hp).
L.O.A. ........................................ 20 10"
Beam ........................................... 8 06"
Deadrise .......................................... 20?
Approximate weight ................ 3,120 lbs
Draft, drive down .............................. 36"
Draft, drive up .................................. 22"
Bridge Clearance ......................... 5 00"
Fuel Capacity ..................... 42 U.S. gals

I usually take out about 6 people (the boat is rated up to a max of 10 people). I usually keep my boat on Lake Saint Clair and just drive around to wherever I feel like hanging out for the day, but occasionally I will pull a tube or skier.

On the engine, it says that it is rated at 4400-4800 WOT RPM. I would get about 48mph at I think was 4500rpm when the prop was new (that was 6 years ago, memory may be a bit off), lately as it had been banged up a little, i've been closer to 40 at about 4100.

The prop selector tool at www.mercurymarine.com suggests these different props, is this accurate, which would be better?

Alpha 4
15.0 x 16.0
14.5 x 18.0
Black Max (3 Blade)
16.0 x 16.0
15.0 x 17.0
15.5 x 18.0

Any opinions on which would be better for my desired usage, or if these are even decent choices? I have no idea what came with the boat to begin with. I generally understand the theory of what different pitches, blade count, diameter etc do, but with only having ever used the original on my boat, I have no practical idea of what to go with, and any help would be appreciated.

If any other company/brands would be just as good, I'm not partial to Mercury. I just need to be able to get it shipped to MI before I leave with boat in tow this Thursday evening.

 

[barry769]

Re: My prop was stolen, need new one fast

I also have a budget of $200, so I'm pretty sure I have to stick with an aluminum prop or something else on the cheaper side.

 

[oldjeep]

Re: My prop was stolen, need new one fast

No idea where you are, but if you have a West Marine nearby you should be able to buy a quicksilver prop off the shelf. Not always the cheapest place but beats having to worry about shipping.

 

[barry769]

Re: My prop was stolen, need new one fast

I live in the Metro Detroit area. There are definitely west marines and tons of other boating shops all over the place here that I will check out before I place an online order.

My problem is that I don't really know what size/pitch/blade count would be best for my setup.

Unfortunately, I'm gonna have to decide what I'm getting sometime today though if I'm going to have a boat for my boating vacation.

 

[mbgaski]

Re: My prop was stolen, need new one fast

Take the Mercury suggested specs with you so you have SOME idea of what you're looking for, but if there's a nearby marine shop with knowledgeable staff I'd ask them. I'd definitely look locally though. Leaving Thursday you're going to be pushing the shipping - if you end up having to pay for next day shipping then you're going to blow 25 - 40% of your $200 budget in shipping.

I must say though you are officially the first person I've ever heard of having a prop stolen. Just doesn't seem like if they were risking prison time a used prop would pay off enough for the risk. Expecting logic from criminals is futile though .

 

[barry769]

Re: My prop was stolen, need new one fast

Take the Mercury suggested specs with you so you have SOME idea of what you're looking for, but if there's a nearby marine shop with knowledgeable staff I'd ask them. I'd definitely look locally though. Leaving Thursday you're going to be pushing the shipping - if you end up having to pay for next day shipping then you're going to blow 25 - 40% of your $200 budget in shipping.

I must say though you are officially the first person I've ever heard of having a prop stolen. Just doesn't seem like if they were risking prison time a used prop would pay off enough for the risk. Expecting logic from criminals is futile though .

Good points, I'll definitely do that.

Yeah, I really don't understand stealing a prop that already could have used replacement, especially since the more lucrative gear in the boat wasn't touched. I'll know better than to leave it in the same neighborhood that I had it at in the future. Next time I'll keep it at my house instead of my friends when pulling it out of the marina.

 

[Expidia]

Re: My prop was stolen, need new one fast

Good points, I'll definitely do that.

Yeah, I really don't understand stealing a prop that already could have used replacement, especially since the more lucrative gear in the boat wasn't touched. I'll know better than to leave it in the same neighborhood that I had it at in the future. Next time I'll keep it at my house instead of my friends when pulling it out of the marina.

Check out one of these, they are a lot cheaper than props!

I carry an extra prop on board too along with a prop wrench. I've whacked an ear off a prop before hitting an unmarked rock ledge. Nice that I had the spare prop on board, because the worst thing is having to buy another one at a marina while you are on vacation. That'll set you back a few bucks

 

[Brewman61]

Re: My prop was stolen, need new one fast

Call me paranoid, but I use a prop lock, a stearn drive lock, a coupler lock for the trailer, lugnut locks for the trailer wheels, and another lock for the spare.
No locks are fool proof, but I'm hoping to make things just annoying enough to thwart the opportunist thieves.
Great world we live in, eh?

My brother's friend parked his fishing boat in my brother's driveway for a coupl hours, bye bye outboard, gas tank, etc.....

My father in law had the drive unit from his outboard stolen right off the boat while it was up on the boat lift.

So yeah, I'm using locks.

 

[marcortez]

Re: My prop was stolen, need new one fast

I am pretty confident that either a 15" or 17" prop will serve you well.

Now, just go out and get one....... enjoy the vacation.

 

[barry769]

Re: My prop was stolen, need new one fast

I found someone with the same boat as me at my marina. The stock prop has written on J14.25X21P it's 3 blades. I really had no problem w how it ran before though I'd not mind better performance if possible.

 

[barry769]

Re: My prop was stolen, need new one fast

Thanks for all the help guys. I'm thinking that I'm just going to go with the 3 Blade Black max with the same size and dimensions that came stock.
I'll see how it runs with the new prop and maybe next year when I have some more money, I'll revisit this and see if I can't improve my performance a bit with a better prop and put the one I'm buying today in as a spare.