New Prop for 115 Inline

[1981Baja]

I purchased my 1981 16' Baja closed bow runabout with a 1981 Merc 115 last spring 2004. The current prop is stamped with the ID# 48-6573644 23P. This resembles a Merc part number but have been unable to locate it on Mercury Parts Express. This prop which may have been reworked, will push my boat at 52mph (speedo) @ 5000 rpm. The hole shot is pretty good but I think I can get some more speed out of this motor. The old promotional literature says the boat weighs 670 lbs (max 120hp) without motor or gear ect. beam 80" transom beam 77" <br />Photos of prop and setup shown below. <br />

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<br /><br />Are there any suggestions for getting a little more speed out this setup. What kind of props would you suggest? A couple props suggested by Merc parts express are 48-77348A45 (BLMX 12 3/4" R21) and 48-77350A45 (BLMX 12 1/2" R23) <br />I was thinking of sticking with Aluminum because I am on a fairly shallow lake.<br />Any help is greatly appreciated.

 

[1981Baja]

Re: New Prop for 115 Inline

Looks like I need a little help with posting the pictures in my thread. I thought I had it right.<br /><br />I posted them on myfishingpictures.com so they would be visible on Iboats. My user name on myfishingpictures.com is OldeBoy<br />Thanks

 

[AMD Rules]

Re: New Prop for 115 Inline

I'd really like to see a picture of your boat as well. Sounds great. Does your boat pull hard to one side.... your trim tab appears well over to the right. Perhaps just be an optical illusion due to camera angle.<br /><br />Can't help you with prop selection, but there are many, many people on this forum who can.<br /><br /><br />edit...<br /><br />To make your image tags work... an example:<br />[ IMG ]http://www.myfishingpictures.com/img/054759.jpg[ /IMG ]<br /><br />Removing all of the extra spaces within the [] brackets gives:<br />

 

[Dunaruna]

Re: New Prop for 115 Inline

 

[1981Baja]

Re: New Prop for 115 Inline

On the trim tab issue. I noticed late last season and last night (first time out this year) that it was pulling to the left (port side) particularly at high speed meaning that the port side of the boat seems to be forced downward into the water.<br />Thanks for the photo help

 

[Dunaruna]

Re: New Prop for 115 Inline

Damn, yours is bigger than mine

 

[Clams Canino]

Re: New Prop for 115 Inline

Go with the same pitch in stainless, or if it's already stainless drop it a pitch. 5000 is too low for WOT RPM for that motor, 5500 is much better.<br /><br />-W

 

[1981Baja]

Re: New Prop for 115 Inline

Clams: Why the same pitch in stainless? (23") I thought going to stainless would drop RPM.<br />Thanks in advance

 

[Clams Canino]

Re: New Prop for 115 Inline

Stainless props are thinner - raising RPM a bit assuming all else is equal.<br /><br />-W