prop selection

[Pony]

I read the faq for prop selection already. Since I think that my set-up would be fairly common, and because i dont have a lot of money to try numerous props, I thought I'd ask. I have a 14ft alumacraft with a 1987 25hp johnson (thru hub 14 spindle). I want to change the prop as there is slight vibration from a few dents in two of the blades. What sort of prop set up would work the best? Currently i have a 10x13....the performance seems good...I guess I am asking because there is a closeout on some stainless steel props on here and the 15 pitch is almost 100$ cheaper than the 13. How would the 15 effect this boat?? and is 13 even the optimum pitch now??

 

[roscoe]

Re: prop selection

Hi pony.<br />Can't really give an answer without a tach and some info.<br /><br />But since we don't have that, tell us how long it takes you to plane your boat, with a light load, AND with a heavier load.<br /><br />If you are struggling to plane, or don't want planing to take any longer than it does now, don't get a 15p prop.<br /><br />Can't see where a ss prop will really help you much, better to buy 2 aluminum props with the money.

 

[pwiseman]

Re: prop selection

The stainless is $100 cheaper than the aluminum? How much is the aluminum prop? Sounds too high.<br /><br />Check a couple other places for pricing. iboats or boats.net should have what you need.

 

[moderator1]

Re: prop selection

Paul, I believe he IS talking of the closeout prices here at iboats....some SS props are cheaper than aluminum.

 

[Pony]

Re: prop selection

By the 100$ I meant this...10-1/8x13 SS Ballistic Michigan Wheel Prop is 156.00, yet the 10-1/8x15 SS Ballistic Michigan Wheel Prop is 64.29.......In the 13 pitch aluminum category prices range from 58% to 72$, and the only 15 pitch aluminum is 78.....This is why im trying to determine what the difference in pitch will make in my boat as the same SS prop with a different pitch is 92$ diffence in price.<br /><br />With a heavier load (me my dad and all our gear etc....and me and him are both big guys 250lb range), we seem to plane almost instantly, as soon as you open up toards wot, the bow comes down and we plane. In fact the first time we went out we were shocked at how quickly we planed........So Obviously with a light load planing is even faster, which almost doesnt seem possible. I wish i had gps so i could tell you how fast we ere going, but my cousin who went out with me last week described it as "scary fast"<br /><br />I guess I just like the durability and performance of a ss prop.....although my expieriences have been with a 60hp evinrude and so maybe a 25hp isnt as noticable. not sure on that one i guess

 

[05GlastronSX]

Re: prop selection

on most smaller horsepower outboards you do not really see a noticable difference between a SS prop and an aluminum prop. you normally dont buy a smaller h.p outboard, say from 9.9-60 h.p, for big performance and this is where the SS prop shines over its aluminum counterpart. i am 99% sure that you will not see any difference in the SS over the aluminum on that 25...there just isnt enough power and speed to notice a difference.

 

[walleyehed]

Re: prop selection

EXCEPT........you will not be replacing the SS prop for the life of many, many aluminum props...<br />I do have to back up here and say that I think the 15 is too much pitch...I understand the price may be good, but if you lug the engine, is it worth the cost of a new engine or powerhead?<br />I didn't think so....

 

[Pony]

Re: prop selection

My thinking now is that if the 13 pitch prop is performing well then why change whats working right, and as walleyehed said dont really want to wreck the motor as it seems pretty good.....I guess now its just down to aluminum or SS. I will have the current prop fixed up for a back-up, and I already plan to remove the cotter pin and replace it with a ss one.....My dad just got done telling me how the first time out on our tri-hull with the 71' 60hp evinrude that the pin snapped and the prop came off at wot. dont really care to have that happen again.<br /><br />So how badly/quickly do aluminum props wear, and how much does it cost to fix them up....i havent yet priced this out.

 

[walleyehed]

Re: prop selection

alum wears faster than SS, but is cheaper to fix...with that being said, you'll fix the aluminum 4 times for every 1 time you need to re-hub, or re-work an SS, sometimes longer.<br />Keep in mind "performance" does not always equal only speed...it's a combination of longevity, use in hours per dollar spent, enhanced fuel economy, etc...

 

[pwiseman]

Re: prop selection

Based on the fact that your 13 jumps on plane, you might be able to go to a 15. I would ask what does troll speed mean to you? You will not get down as slow with the 15. 13 pitch would probably put you at 30-34 MPH depending on load, which could fall into "scary fast" on a 14 footer depending on your tastes. Personally, I would go for the 13 aluminum because I like slow troll more than top end and you don't seem to be lacking speed at WOT anyway. Stainless might help a little, but not worth the extra $ on a 25 HP unless you run shallow and kick rocks around some. My guess is the 15's are on clearance because they are pretty steep for a 25 HP. Most people I have talked with run 10 pitch for real heavy loads up to 13 pitch for light loads.<br /><br /><br />BTW I have a 15' boat running a 12 pitch and it does just over 29 MPH. Boat weighs about 600 lbs, which is probably more than yours.

 

[pwiseman]

Re: prop selection

Originally posted by moderator1:<br /> Paul, I believe he IS talking of the closeout prices here at iboats....some SS props are cheaper than aluminum.

Makes sense that the SS 15s are discounted. I thought he meant that the 13 stainless was $100 cheaper than the 13 Aluminum. That sounded odd to me because $100 should buy most aluminum props in that class.

 

[Pony]

Re: prop selection

well i am certainly sold on the 13 pitch now. Between the aluminum and SS, I still kind of lean towards SS. I do a lot of fishing on northern wisconsin lakes and there is plenty to ding a prop on shallow or not. plus like walleyehed said i wouldnt have to have it fixed as often. thanks guys for all your help.

 

[Pony]

Re: prop selection

<br /><br /> <br /><br />How much damage will occur if i run this prop until i buy a new one...

 

[martinphantom]

Re: prop selection

Interesting thread. I have a 14 ft starcraft with a 25hp johnson and a 10x13 prop thats getting pretty beat up and was wanting to buy a new one but wasn't sure if I should try a different pitch. Mine planes out quickly with a light load but works very hard to if I add a large fishing partner. Might need less pitch?