2006 mercury 60hp prop help

[Durango318]

Hello everybody I have a 2006 lund 1660 classic with a 2006 mercury 60 hp outboard, the boat weighs 1,300 pounds probably with me and everything in it. Full throttle rpm with me in it is 5,900 rpm and GPS at 37mph, with another person on board rpm drops to 5,700 to 5,800 rpm at 33 to 34 mph, the stock prop is on their now and I think it a 14 pitch, what prop would You recommend for more speed, I am open to all segestion , operating range is 5,500 to 6,000 rpm so I have some room for improvement right?

 

[steelespike]

Re: 2006 mercury 60hp prop help

It sure seems to me you are doing really well I found a Lund 1650 with a 60 with a 13" prop speed was 33 I think at 6200.
Your speed assuming a 4 stroke with a 1.83 ratio a 14" prop indicates about 13% slip at your 37 mph.
A tad high but within normal range.
Some aluminum boats are harder to push than others.
Are you using trim tabs/smart tabs?
Is there a hydrofoil on the motor? Is the anti vent plate (just above the prop)even with or slightly above the bottom of the transom?
Have you tried moving your passenger and gear around. If you're adding a 200 pounder in the front seat it will surely slow the
boat. Do you have extra weight in the bow like a trolling motor and battery or other gear.Moving weight away from the bow might help top end a little.
The Solas props are said to be state if the art for aluminum props. Turning point aluminum props are also said to be very effective.Of course a ss prop might help as well. If you do aluminum stick with the same size pitch.
Someone may be along with more refined technical advice.
You could try a stainless prop in the same pitch might put you at 6000 with just a touch more speed and it may hold up better as you add weight.

 

[Durango318]

Re: 2006 mercury 60hp prop help

Thank you, for your post thinking of trying Solas props. The prop that I have on now is a 10.25 by 14, solas has two aluminum props, a 11 1-10 by 14 and a 11 3-5 by 14 which prop should I get? Solas is better than the mercury prop? Should I try a different brand?

 

[steelespike]

Re: 2006 mercury 60hp prop help

I don't know how the Solas compares to the Merc. prop
but the Solas Amita and Rubex have a good reputation.The Rubex is the same as the Amita with a removable hub.
The Solas uses "squeeze cast"technology,makes thinner stronger blades. I think the 11 3/5 is a good choice.In an attempt to reduce your slip.