Trophy 2002/2102 Merc 150 optimax

[tomysel]

I have a 2102 trophy pro w/ hard top. but i think i can do better on the performance. Currently using 15 1/4x 15 Black max 3 blade alum. getting 26 mph @ 4000 and 35 mph @ 5200 (WOT). Clean bottom, full fuel, fishing gear, 1 person. Original came w/ 15x17 Black max 3 blade alum. w/ same results....

What size prop do you use? How's your performance??

 

[RWILLIAMS]

Re: Trophy 2002/2102 Merc 150 optimax

I currently own a 06 2002WA with a 150 Opti and the best I have done so far is 41mph @ 5400rpm via GPS. Of course the water was slick and it was only myself in the boat with 3/4 tank of fuel. I am running the stock 14x17p alum. prop.

 

[tomysel]

Re: Trophy 2002/2102 Merc 150 optimax

Thanks for the info... I just ordered a 14.5 x 15 ss vengeance prop as recomended from mercury marine website... will give that a try and post the results... I'm trying to hit 5500 - 5600 rpm at WOT and looing to get around 39-40mph with 3/4 tank fuel,fishing gear, and 2 people on board.

 

[tomysel]

Re: Trophy 2002/2102 Merc 150 optimax

Mercury website is very misleading. new prop i purchased got me nowhere (wasted my money)... got up on plane quick but at 4000 rpm i was going 19 mph. and went up to 5500 rpm quick... I was scared to do wot cause i would have blown up the motor. Ordered 14x17 3 blade alum prop. hope to get same results as you.

 

[RWILLIAMS]

Re: Trophy 2002/2102 Merc 150 optimax

I kind of figured the 15 pitch would rev up too quick. Should have a hell of a holeshot though. Let me know how you like the 14x17 prop. I borrowed a 14x19 stainless prop and found that I had to run full throttle and never got past 5400 with only 2-3 mph increase in speed. It was too much prop for my boat. Of course the stainless prop was a different make and style so I have to consider that too.
Props are expensive so I would check around with a few friends that have Mercury's and see if they would let you borrow their prop before I spent any more money on another prop. Make sure their prop will fit before bolting it on though.
Let me know how the alum prop does on your boat.

 

[tomysel]

Re: Trophy 2002/2102 Merc 150 optimax

Haven't purchased the propeller yet still deciding...

so you ran 14x17 alum and 14x19 ss and got the same WOT but couple of mph more?

 

[RWILLIAMS]

Re: Trophy 2002/2102 Merc 150 optimax

The 14x19 ss prop was aftermarket and was not a Merc prop. It had more of a cup to the back edge of the prop also. The 14x19 had a lot more "bite" on the hole shot and the rpm's would not come up as quick as with the 14x17 alum prop. It seemed as though there was too much pitch and I actually had to run the rpm's higher to keep the boat on plane due to this. Couldn't get the rpm's up as quick or as high as with the alum prop. I could only get about 5400 max out of the ss prop as I could redline withte alum prop. It was like starting out in 2nd gear and trying to drive 45 in fifth gear on a car.
Again, there are so many props out there and purpose specific you would go broke if you have to buy props just to see if they will work correctly. I did re-read your orginal post and you said you were running a 15.25 x 15. I'm sure the boat jumped out of the water on the hole shot and with a shallow pitch your rpm's came up quick and still had plenty of throttle left when you got to54-5500 rpm.
I too am still learning about this diameter & pitch thing and rely on friends with experience. If you can find someone that would let you borrow a 14x17 prop I think you will be pleased. Just remember there is always going to be a trade off and there is no perfect prop.

Also, is your boat a I/O. What size engine do you have? This is very important because it is torque that drives the prop. The torque curve on 4 strokes is much different than on 2 strokes.
Keep me posted and I'll let you know if I find out anything else out. Good luck

 

[tomysel]

Re: Trophy 2002/2102 Merc 150 optimax

I have a Mercury 150 Optimax...

Props I tested is:
15 x 17 Mercury Blackmax 3 blade alum. Cruise 28mph@4000rpm WOT 36mph @5000

15.25 x 15 Mercuy Blackmax 3 blade alum. Cruise 25mph@4000rpm WOT 35mph@5200

14.5 x 15 Mercury Vengeance 3 blade ss. Cruise 19mph@4000rpm WOT Never went for it....

My goal is to get a better cruise speed at 4000 rpm and the WOT to reach 5600 rpm. 150 Optimax is rated at 5200-5600rpm at WOT. At 5000 with the 15x19 and 5200 with the 15.25x15 I'm at the low end of the WOT rpm. This is with 1 person 3/4 gas and some basic fishing gear. Which Means my motor is working too hard. or is 5000-5200 okay???

 

[RWILLIAMS]

Re: Trophy 2002/2102 Merc 150 optimax

The 15x17 sounds like the best so far.
I cruise around 28 @ 3900-4000 and again the best I have ever got out of the boat was 41 @ 5600. That was one time and again that was a short run. On average I run aprox 38mph @ 5300-5400 depending on # of passengers & gear. I don't think that 5000-5200 is execssive but it does love fuel at this rpm. These 2 stroke outboard engines are designed to run at higher rpm's for long periods of time. A 2 stroke engine has low torque at low rpms and really comes to life at high rpms where a 4 stroke engine makes more torque at low rpms so running a 2 stroke a higher rpms is where your power/torque comes from.
I had a 19 ft with a 140 I/O Mercrusier prior to buying my Trophy and I can say the Opti is a loud engine. Still getting used to it too. I can't figure out why they changed the prop dia. from 14 to 15 inches though. They are the same boat with the same engine.

 

[tomysel]

Re: Trophy 2002/2102 Merc 150 optimax

Turning point Patriot SS Prop. 14 1/4x 17.

Result: Cruise 30.5mph @4000rpm. WOT 36mph @4700rpm (too low for optimax which is rated for 5250- 5750 WOT)

Next test prop Turning point Patriot SS Prop. 14 1/4 x 15...

Will keep you posted on my search for the right SS prop.

 

[frankie g]

Re: Trophy 2002/2102 Merc 150 optimax

Get a hold of Ken at Prop Gods, he knows his sh%t he'll set you up if any one can. http://www.propgods.com/forum/default.aspx?g=forum down her in SW Fl. he's very well known.

 

[Trophyboy]

Re: Trophy 2002/2102 Merc 150 optimax

2002, 2002FF, 135 Optimax, factory recommended 14 1/2 X 19 Merc Aluminum, 40 mph on GPS at 5000. No complaints with 2-3 guys and usually around 1/2 tank plus fishing gear etc.

 

[drew2302]

Re: Trophy 2002/2102 Merc 150 optimax

I have a '95 2302 with a 150 Mercury offshore , I had the same thing , I was using a 15 x15 and only got 24 to 28at 5500 still had topend . I went to a 14.25 x 17 Apollo , getting 36 to 40 depending on my load at 5500. I still have a good hole shot.

 

[egbert]

Re: Trophy 2002/2102 Merc 150 optimax

Ive got a 1991 Trophy 2002 with a '02 150 Optimax saltwater. WOT is 5600 @ 39.5 MPH on GPS. 2 adults with 1/2 tank of fuel. I have a 3 blade aluminum 15"x17P. and the prop has seen better days. Im going to get the exact same in SS.

 

[tomysel]

Re: Trophy 2002/2102 Merc 150 optimax

is it possible that i'm not getting a better speed (or same results as everyone else) because i have a hard top?.. I just put the boat back in to the slip w/ fresh bottom paint and fresh tuned motor. I'm going to re-try the 15x17 Merc. alum 3 blade and 14x17 vortex alum 3 blade.... May be i'll see some better results... to be continued.....

 

[Tiki35]

Re: Trophy 2002/2102 Merc 150 optimax

I also have a 1991 Trophy 2002.
My outboard is a year 2000 Mercury 150 Saltwater, carb'd engine.
I am using an Enertia 14.5x18 stainless prop.

Two heavy persons on board, gear, and 2/3 of a full tank of gas, polished hull.

I am getting 5600rpm, and 41.9MPH on GPS at WOT.

I would say this prop is perfect for my boat, agreed?

 

[frankie g]

Re: Trophy 2002/2102 Merc 150 optimax

tomysel, I know what your going through. I recently went from stock alum. to SS. I used Prop Gods, a FL based business. My recommdations is find a shop tht will let you try before you buy, cause you'll go through some props. And an expert in the field ( the prop shop ) will most likely give you the best suggestions. For ****s and grins heres my no # of coarse I have a 2302 w/ a 150 salt water w/ no hard top;

Silverado 14 1/2 X 15 : Goal 5600 WOT. 70 gals fuel 2 peps and gear

4000 rpm - 13 mph off plane
4500 rpm - 23.8 mph
4700 rpm - 27 mph
4800 rpm - 28 mph
5000 rpm - 29-30 mph
5600 rpm - 33-34 mph
WOT - 5800 - 5900 200-300 over

14.25 X 17 Apollp Goal 5600 rpm / light load 30 gal fuel 1 person. worst of all

RPM MPH all GPS
3000 13.7-14 On plane
3400 16.2
3500 21.2
3800 27.1
4000 28.3
4500 32.5
4800 35
5000 36.5
5050-5075 38 WOT trimmed up just before blow out

Apollo 14 3/8 X 15 80 gals fuel. 2 peps and gear

Rpms MPH
3500 13.3 off plane
3800 16.5 on plane
4000 18.7
4500 27
4800 30.5
5000 32.3
5500 35.9
WOT was 5500 RPM - 65 gals fuel. - wind 15 mph - seas 1-2' chop - 2 peps med load for fishing

I'd say the 15 is the winner. You might get a touch faster in smoother conditions, and the rpm is where you want it.