Stainless Prop ???

[SingleShot]

I have a Tracker Tundra 18' sc with the classic Merc 125 running the oem alum 12.75 x 21. With myself / wife and two kids it runs about 45mph with 1' chop at just over 5k on the tach. This is about where it should be. Motor's just out of break-in with 3 hours on the engine but I'm still running out the oil mix used for break-in. I'm not looking to go faster but I do experience blow out unless I'm realy easy on the corners. Acceleration isn't all that hot, that's to be expected with Alum and 21 pitch. I have been looking at stainless just to keep a better grip on the water and get on plane quicker. Been looking at either the Raptor or ballistic MW. In the case of the Ballistic which is 13 1/8 x 21 or 13 3/8 x 19. With out trying one it seems I may be ok or slightly on the low side for WOT. From what I can gather from Michigan Wheels cat. it maybe a coin toss. Any comments on which way to go or comments on what I can do to better the blow out or apparent ventilation. High-end Aluminum??<br /><br />Thanks,<br /><br />SingleShot

 

[walleyehed]

Re: Stainless Prop ???

I think an increase in diameter and dropping to a 19 Pitch will help with the blow-out. I tried 12 different props on my 115 jonny on a Deep-V Starcraft a week and a half ago, and it seems as though the smaller diameters when trimmed for atraight-away performance they tend to ventilate more on my application. The S.S. props, however, tend to have more bite, and hang on better in corners. A stilleto 19" pitch might be a good choice, or maybe even a Ballistic. Too bad you couldn't get ahold of an OMC RAKER and find a prop guru that could install a merc hub for you.<br /> The 18" pitch raker is a great prop.

 

[bluewater19]

Re: Stainless Prop ???

My buddy has a 17.5' starcraft 125 merc. was having same problem with 13"/19" black max oem prop. found a new quicksilver vengence S.S. 13.25/19" stainless propon e-bay. cheap $135 including shipping. boat now handles corners much better. hole shot also seems to be a litlle better. noeffect on top end.

 

[L Christopher]

Re: Stainless Prop ???

You may want to try a four blade prop in aluminum before you spend the money on a SS prop. Call your dealer and see if they have any demo props you can test. I went from a 3 blade OEM prop to a 4 blade and it increased hole shot and stoped the cavatation in hard turns.

 

[SingleShot]

Re: Stainless Prop ???

Thanks!<br /><br />I will look onto all of the suggestions. I'll take a look at ebay also for props.<br /><br />SingleShot

 

[MurdockJr]

Re: Stainless Prop ???

SingleShot I was having the same problem you are my boat is a 2002 Starcraft 170LE with a 115 Merc Classic. The boat came from the dealer with a 12 3/4 x 21p prop and I had nothing but problems with cavitation. Brought it back to the dealer and told them to get the boat to perform properly, it took a while but they put a 20p stainless Lazer II prop on it at no cost to me. Now the boat handles great and I can't make it cavitate. I had tryed a four blade aluminum but it didn't work. If your boat is new you may be able to work with the dealer. Good Luck

 

[SingleShot]

Re: Stainless Prop ???

MurdocJr<br /><br />My performance doesn't sound as bad as you had it, but I know there is improvement here.<br />Do you know which props they/you experimented with? I talk with some guys at the local launch and a few of them are running MW Ballistics and seem to love em. MW has one that is pretty close at 13 1/8" x 21P. I'm turning just a tad over 5000 with a remaining oil/gas mix for break-in at 70:1. One prop house though I should get a few more revs once I get to straight gas. The motor does seem to get stronger as the I get more time on it. I'll go and check out the Laser II line also.<br /><br />SingleShot