Prop designations driving me NUTS!

[cheburashka]

I'm looking for a smaller-pitch prop for a pre-Alpha outdrive. I understand that on the older props, the 48 designation meant it would work on my boat. Looking on Ebay, I see some Mercruiser-compatible props marked as being 14 1/4 inches, some marked just 14 inches, and some even marked 14 1/2. Is there actually a 14 inch size, or are folks just leaving the fraction off? Is a 14" different from a standard Alpha 1 prop?

I've also noticed that the designations for Quicksilver props are different than those for earlier props. I'm looking at a QA2016, which is supposed to be 14", 19 pitch, but I'm not sure if that's going to fit my outdrive. Can anyone help explain the mysteries of prop selection for Mercruiser outdrives?

Thanks

 

[Don S]

Re: Prop designations driving me NUTS!

Moving to Prop Questions and Topics.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Prop designations driving me NUTS!

Prop diameter is a function of prop design. What that means is you can have a 19 pitch prop from three different manufacturers and all three may be different diameters for the same engine. what you may also notice is that prop diameter changes slightly from one pitch to another, from the same manufacturer. Its a function of design so don't sweat it. Obviously a 12 inch diameter prop with 19P would not fit your engine. Some props are marked with the diameter and pitch, while others are marked with the manufacturers part number, while others are marked with a code. You merely need to know what you are looking at. My suggestion is when you see a part number or code (not the diameter and pitch) simply enter that number in the search box of your browser and hit GO. You will be surprised how much iinformation you can turn up on a prop.