'99 FW Horizon 170, 115 HP Johnson, best prop?

jkimball

Petty Officer 1st Class
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May 14, 2013
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In answering the 6 mandatory requirements here is what I have.

1) Best compromise of Top end & hole shot
2) Aluminum Factory OMC Prop
3) Pitch/ Dia. 14x19"
4) WOT 5,000 RPM @ 38-40 MPH (avg. load 700-750 lbs)
5) '99 Johnson 115 V4 (Loopcharged)
6) '99 Four Winns Horizon 170, 16' 6", unsure of weight

I am trying to decide between;
-Aluminum or SST.
-3 or 4 blades
-If SST, up or down in pitch
-If 4 blade, Solas HR Titan 4 (13.25 x 17)?

Don't really want to sacrifice top end, actually would like to see more. But still want a good hole shot. I also have a Stingray Starfire that I could put on to help planing if necessary.
 

SkiDad

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Jul 18, 2010
Messages
1,518
Re: '99 FW Horizon 170, 115 HP Johnson, best prop?

surprised your not running faster than that - is the prop pretty bad ? But if it was me I would try a 17 stainless, but just my thoughts.
 

steelespike

Supreme Mariner
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Apr 26, 2002
Messages
19,069
Re: '99 FW Horizon 170, 115 HP Johnson, best prop?

Boat dry weight is 1790,motor is 350 + 750=2890 rpm and speed indicates about 11% slip a touch high but reasonable.
At almost 3000 lbs I think your 115 is doing well with a 19".I think the right ss prop may help both hole shot and speed.
Usually suggested to try the same size though I can't say what brand or model.
Its also possible that a new Solas Amita 3 blade may do better than your 14 year old prop.
Solas is said to use the latest technology.
The Turning point Hustler is said to do well and I believe are vented aiding hole shot without sacrificing top end.
 

SkiDad

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Messages
1,518
Re: '99 FW Horizon 170, 115 HP Johnson, best prop?

ok - that is heavier than i expected. My boat is usually around 2500 lbs with the family aboard. I get 38 mph in that condition. I was about 39 with my 17 pitch prop - so I lost 1 mph but I gained 500 rpm when i went down 2 pitches. Nothing wrong with Aluminum props - i actually am preferring that on my boat at the moment.
 

jkimball

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
May 14, 2013
Messages
220
Re: '99 FW Horizon 170, 115 HP Johnson, best prop?

Boat dry weight is 1790,motor is 350 + 750=2890 rpm and speed indicates about 11% slip a touch high but reasonable.
At almost 3000 lbs I think your 115 is doing well with a 19".I think the right ss prop may help both hole shot and speed.
Usually suggested to try the same size though I can't say what brand or model.
Its also possible that a new Solas Amita 3 blade may do better than your 14 year old prop.
Solas is said to use the latest technology.
The Turning point Hustler is said to do well and I believe are vented aiding hole shot without sacrificing top end.

Thanks for the response, What is a good benchmark figure for slip? I'm still learning all of the ins and outs of prop knowledge.
I've been looking to buy online, since it seems that I can find them cheaper. I have found the Solas Stainless props for about $270 +/- shipped on Ebay.
The only thing that is kind of throwing me off from buying on Ebay is that it's not like a prop shop where I could possibly test before buying, so I'd want to get it as close to right as possible the first time around.
From what I understand, most of Solas' props are cupped, if that's true should I drop pitch an inch or two to regain the RPMs? or would going with Stainless give me the extra RPMs anyhow?
I'm not real experienced with Prop Shopping, and fairly new to boating outside of owning a few fishing boats, so any help is MUCH appreciated!
 

steelespike

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Apr 26, 2002
Messages
19,069
Re: '99 FW Horizon 170, 115 HP Johnson, best prop?

10% is a reasonable figure I think 12 or 13 would be high normal
I've seen tests on the net at 5 or 6% with a ss prop. I think that is the exception.
 

SkiDad

Lieutenant Commander
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Jul 18, 2010
Messages
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Re: '99 FW Horizon 170, 115 HP Johnson, best prop?

i still learning too, my boat has different slip numbers for different props.. my number below with normal load.

17p AL - 4500 RPM / 39-40 mph / 6% slip
15p AL - 5000 RPM / 38-39 mph / 8% slip
15p SS - 4700 PRM / 36-37 mph 11% slip (calculated at 16p b/c of cup) - prop is 5/8 wider than other 2
 

jkimball

Petty Officer 1st Class
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May 14, 2013
Messages
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Re: '99 FW Horizon 170, 115 HP Johnson, best prop?

So, I'm thinking that after reading everything, I may look into a 17 pitch.
Should I consider Stainless, or stick with Aluminum. And 3 or 4 blade (would 4 blade really hurt my top end?)

Also, the Solas props I've seen are about 3/4" smaller diameter than my factory prop, will this be an issue? I know that diameter is secondary to pitch.
 

Slip Away

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Re: '99 FW Horizon 170, 115 HP Johnson, best prop?

You sure did not get any help on the Four Winns message board. You will get better help here when it is a technical question. I would go with an aluminum 3-blade 17p for your outboard.
 

jkimball

Petty Officer 1st Class
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Messages
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Re: '99 FW Horizon 170, 115 HP Johnson, best prop?

You sure did not get any help on the Four Winns message board. You will get better help here when it is a technical question. I would go with an aluminum 3-blade 17p for your outboard.

I take it you're a member there too... I didn't get any help there at all, but nonetheless I got some pretty sound help here. Everyone on iboats has been great!

3-blade 17p Aluminum, Cupped or not?
 

SkiDad

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Jul 18, 2010
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1,518
Re: '99 FW Horizon 170, 115 HP Johnson, best prop?

i think most AL do not have a cup. I wonder if there is a "Michigan Match" brand that fits your that is just like your current prop - not sure what gear case you have...that way you can just use you current thrust washer, nut, etc. That is what I got last time... has the same design basically as the old prop i had - so I had a predicable response. If you get 600 rpm higher you would still be fine, won't hurt a thing on 2 cycle.
 

Slip Away

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Re: '99 FW Horizon 170, 115 HP Johnson, best prop?

I take it you're a member there too... I didn't get any help there at all, but nonetheless I got some pretty sound help here. Everyone on iboats has been great!

I was for several years. Still active, but do not post anymore. The site is full of "know it all/wanna be's" that have recently joined. Not many of the original members left, who could and would answer your questions. As you see, you will get real answers here, instead of fluff.
The 17p will already have some cup to it.

Michigan Match Part # 061024 14 x 17p three blade alum.
 

jkimball

Petty Officer 1st Class
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May 14, 2013
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Re: '99 FW Horizon 170, 115 HP Johnson, best prop?

So you guys would suggest Michigan Match over the Solas?
and mitzyman brought up a good point, with going with either of these brands would my current castlenut & thrust washer work? Or would I need to find a replacement for them too?
 

Slip Away

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Re: '99 FW Horizon 170, 115 HP Johnson, best prop?

"would my current castlenut & thrust washer work? " Yes.
 

jkimball

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Re: '99 FW Horizon 170, 115 HP Johnson, best prop?

"would my current castlenut & thrust washer work? " Yes.

Awesome, you guys on this forum are great! There's a ton of knowledge here.
thanks for the help
 
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