stainless prop

[tm lihou]

I'm looking at buying a stainless steel prop for my 3.0 L merc.<br /><br />A few questions....is it worth it for such a small motor. Will I notice a savings in gas and increased performance (it's pushing a 19' bayliner).<br /><br />Also, how can I determine its pitch. I'm currently using a 21 P prop, and know how to read it off the side of the aluminum. But the stainless only has the following printed on the side<br /><br />"RAKER"<br />"0P00401"<br />and what appears to be "0 228661"<br /><br />Finally, it needs to be cleaned/polished up. What is the best way to go about doing this?<br /><br />Thanks in advance for your advice.<br /><br />Merc

 

[Purduebarry]

Re: stainless prop

Do you know your RPM at WOT? I have a 19' Bayliner too, may be able to help but need more info first.

 

[tm lihou]

Re: stainless prop

sorry, should have posted this too....WOT is about 5500, give or take, and top speed is about 40 mph, give or take.

 

[tm lihou]

Re: stainless prop

*****UPDAE*****<br /><br />I found the pitch number. Unlike the aluminum prop, which is stamped on the side, this prop is stamped on the exhaust hub...it's a 14 1/2 x 20...which I assume is a 20-pitch prop.<br /><br />Being that I already run with a 21-pitch prop, I guess I'mm looking at a lower top end...right?

 

[MSmith3615]

Re: stainless prop

The higher the pitch the greater top end, lower the pitch better hole shot from what I understand. Also whatever prop puts you in your WOT range is probally the best from what i've been told. I had a 2002 bayliner 19ft 3.0 and ran it with a 19 pitch stainless, I ran about 40-42 top end with four people. I also was good for skiing, hole shot was good. I thought 19 was perfect. I think my RPM's might of been 5600-5800 but Its been a while since I had the boat.

 

[Tail_Gunner]

Re: stainless prop

Too many conflicts here, that 3.0 rpm range is 4200 to 4800. It can go to 5100 if there is no rev limiter, I wouldnt go beyond that, you might want to look closely at your rpm range and speed at wot.<br /><br />Post what type of preformance charastics you are looking for ( speed, sking or cruising) and you will get some very good info. Umm you might want to look into trimtabs errr... smart tabs use the search function very eye opening subject.<br /><br />Hope to see more info good luck.

 

[tm lihou]

Re: stainless prop

Gunner:<br /><br />Just reading what's on the tach...and it hovers around 5500....just below where the numbers change from white to yellow ....the yellow being the "danger zone" I'm thinking.<br /><br />I rarely run it that high anyway...gas is expensive...I usually cruise between 3000 and 3500, which puts me at about 25 mph.<br /><br />I guess what I'm looking for is better fuel economy out of this prop...same cruising speed with lower rpms...not sure if I'll get it though.<br /><br />As I said, it's only a 3.0L so high-speed performance is out, but I do waterski quite a bit, so maybe a better hole shot is in the offing?????

 

[tommays]

Re: stainless prop

I got a lot of time in a 3.0 19' boat<br /><br />If you really have a 21" prop its really unlikely your tack is reading correctly as 5500 RPM would put you around 48 MPH <br /><br />IF i want to wakeboard and ski i get the best results with a 17" BUT it limits speed to about 34 to 36 MPH<br /><br />A 19" gives me around 41 MPH GPS and with one person it will rev higher than 4800 BUT its the best all around prop FOR ME<br /><br />A 21" gives MORE MPH with one person on board BUT the motor really has a much harder time getting on plane with a heavy load on the boat (4 people)<br /><br /><br />tommays

 

[tm lihou]

Re: stainless prop

Thanks for your input guys...I'm trying her out this weekend...will post back with the results...

 

[tm lihou]

Re: stainless prop

Well I gus all the debating was pretty much moot. Put the new prop on the outdrive Saturday morning...everything fits, except the prop hits the magnesium anode skeg. If the skeg wasn't as big the prop would be fine, but, alas, it is not.<br /><br />So much for that. Thanks anyway guys....merc

 

[Tail_Gunner]

Re: stainless prop

4" grinder will settle that issue, merc also makes a high preformance model for that i believe.

 

[walleyehed]

Re: stainless prop

Mercloser, that prop is an OMC Raker and requires a different thrust washer to fit a mercruiser sterndrive, so the Merc prop will not go on properly using the same washer...that may be why it's hitting the tab....

 

[Tail_Gunner]

Re: stainless prop

Originally posted by walleyehed:<br /> Mercloser, that prop is an OMC Raker and requires a different thrust washer to fit a mercruiser sterndrive, so the Merc prop will not go on properly using the same washer...that may be why it's hitting the tab....

Nice to see you back, i have had the same problem with a stilleto bay pro 11. Just took a grinder and reduced it a bit(trim tab),i am using a standard setup as to thrust washers. Is there something i am missing here? Opps 4 blade 20 pitch on a alpha one gen two merc 3.0

 

[walleyehed]

Re: stainless prop

T.G., as long as the stiletto was built for your application, the same thrust washer should work unless they state other-wise.<br />It's also not uncommon to have a higher Rake prop hit the tab on Merc products. You can grind a bit or change it out to the tab they build for high-rake props.