[rickdb1boat]

Hi Guys,I have a 20' Pontoon, with a 91' 70 HP Rude on the back. I just thought I would get yours or others advice on which brand of SS prop to put on in the spring. Right now I'm running an aluminum prop(Michigan)(I know, their junk) which I just had re-pithced to 14 X 11 from 14 X 13 to get me 5800 RPM's. Runs better and has a little more speed(2 MPH) which got me to 26 MPH(Not Bad), but I would like to switch to an SS and would like your recommendation on which brand you find works the best on toons. Also, should I change pitch with the SS, as it may have more cup and bite better? Then again, should I just go with a better brand aluminum?? Any recommendation would be welcome. I boat in mostly clean water, so damage would be kept to a minimum. Thanks,

[kenneths]

Hey Rick...I've got alot of guys up here that run in clean lakes in SW Nebraska, and western Colorado running Ballistics when you can find the pitch you want.....The Ballistics are VERY thin and don't handle much of a "ding" without damage. There are a few using the Stilletto, or Turbo-same prop, and of course a few with OEM SS.I believe I would stay at the 11" pitch range, for you will get more bite with the SS.....

[rickdb1boat]

Thanks for the info Kenny! I was thinking about the Ballistics and thought that might be an option. Do you know of a place to get a good deal on them? Or where they may have the sizes they come in and applications? Much appreciated!

[Dhadley]

I have had real good luck with Stilettos on pontoons. They hook up real good. Since you aren't going to do anything until spring, hang in there til then. Stiletto has some neat stuff coming. Especially for the toon crowd. Let me know if you're interested, I can get you hooked up when they get released.BTW -- Stiletto and Turbo aren't the exact same prop althiough they are manufactured by the same folks. They are each built for a specific target matket. They were very very close back when Stiletto was first produced and distributed exclusively thru Aqua Power.Let me know if I can help. Good luck!

[kenneths]

HMMMMMMMMM....Aqua power was owned by OMC, kinda like Quicksilver and Merc......I had a Guy in Northplate NE., tell me they were the same with different stickers.Live and Learn!!!!!! Thats why I'm here.......

[rickdb1boat]

Dhadley I am VERY interested! Please do let me know when you find something out that may work. Do you have any idea when this new stuff may be coming out? Thank You very much,rickdb1@earthlink.net

[rickdb1boat]

Also Dhadley, I have heard that OMC has come out with a triple cupped prop that are specifically designed for pontoons. Have you heard anything about these? But the Stiletto still sounds like the best deal!

[Dhadley]

It looks like the new Stiletto stuff will be ready for the Miami show in Feburary. I'll let you know if it comes up sooner. Aqua Power wasnt owned by OMC. Aqua Power started life as Super Gasket and was bought by IMO. IMO also owned Morse Controls and Hynautic. IMO sold to the Rail brothers (Colfax Corp). Colfax created Morse Controls N.A. for their marine business in North America. They bought Sierra and merged Sierra and Aqua Power into the same facility. Then they sold Morse Controls NA (Morse Controls, Aqua Power, Sierra, Hynautic and Shields Hose) to Teleflex. Now T-flex is getting ready to sell their marine stuff to -- guess who??Aint this fun?

[rickdb1boat]

DhadleyThanks again! Looking forward to it. Feburary sounds good! Just in time for spring. Talk to you about it soon!

[ob]

Rick,Notwithstanding the price for a new one (in the $500+ range),OMC/BMC makes a SST prop that is manufactured specifically for toons that is tripple cupped.OMC175294. 13 3/4 X 11.The standard SSTII's are double cupped.Application from your current diameter and pitch calls for a direct pitch replacement.This is assuming that the 5800 rpm WOT capability is being produced by the prop that you mentioned wihtout any wear or refinishing to the original diameter.Being that the stainless props cut the water cleaner than their thicker leading edge and blade thickness aluminum counterparts,you may even get away with the 13 3/4 X 13 and keep your R's in the upper end of the recommended range.Whichever you decide on,good luck with your choice.There's a lot of them.

[rickdb1boat]

Hey OB,I heard of that one from OMC. I was headed that direction, but thought I would throw it out here for some input from those who know before I kicked out $420.00+ for the OMC. Others too, have suggested the tripple cupped 11" from OMC. They say it makes it jump up and go RIGHT NOW when you hit it from a dead stop. And that sounds like just what I'm after. I'm still gonna wait it out and see what Dhadley finds out about the newest props from stiletto. I've got a few months to think about it unfortunatly. I do like the results I got when I dropped to the 14 X 11" prop. Not so much in the speed(+2MPH), but the way it handles turns and such is totally different. When I make a hard turn now, the RPM's don't die down anything like they did with the 13" prop. It just keeps on moving right along! The first time I took it out with the new prop and made a hard full throttle left turn at full speed, it about threw me over the side of the boat and my wife was bracing herself against the helm. I was not used to this type of response! So I'm hoping that either of the props that you guys mention will really do the trick! I'm gonna pop you an E-mail in a day or so, about more on this. Thanks for the heads-up on the prop!

[seahorse5]

Bombardier is coming out with an aluminum prop designed for pontoon boats because of the new 40 thru 90hp E-TEC motors. Since they use a V-4 sized gearcase, it will fit your motor.

[rickdb1boat]

Thanks for the info, seahorse. Did you see this on their site or get inside info on it? I'm still lookin' for that "Perfect" prop! From the looks of the cost of some of them, it's a good thing I won't need it for a few months.

[rickdb1boat]

Anybody know anything about Powertech props. I can get one for $299,00. in a 14 X 11 pitch. Just didn't know if they were any good. This was a reply when I inquired about them."I can get the Powertech 11p in a 14in. diameter. IF your running this a pontoon boat, you'll like the bigger diameter as it will accelerate much better. Price for this prop is 399.24(suggested retail). i'll sell for 299.00 which includes the sale price discount of 15% , and i'll pay the shipping to you.Thanks again, and i'll be waiting for your response. oh, yeah. I guarantee my props to run good or i'll trade it back for something else".Steve Glenn web page

[Solittle]

Steve - link did not work for me.

[walleyehed]

Link works for me....?????????ptprop.com

[rickdb1boat]

Site is down for a while! This is where they sell them. www.keystonepropeller.com In the meanwhile, Lots of Good prop reading if anyone is interested: web page

[seahorse5]

The new aluminum 11" pitch pontoon prop is part #177202 and is available now. Your dealer's price book will not show it as it is a new number but he can order it. It costs around $152.It is designed with an exhaust bypass so you can get a strong reverse thrust without ventilating. Some say you can bury the pontoons in reverse because it is so strong.A 9" and a 13" version will be available in a few months. These, and the 11", will all fit the new E-TEC motors and all others with a V-4 sized gearcase.

[walleyehed]

seahorse, so you are saying they will have a complete new line of props for the E-TECs, that we may be able to use on the V4's as well??? Makes me wonder if there will also be a performance line of SS props as well....

[seahorse5]

don't know anything about a new line of props, but the 40 thru 90 E-TECs will see a lot of use behind pontoon boats. There was no aluminum pontoon prop for them, so the factory designed one with better reverse thrust.For years, the factory has made stainless steel triple cupped pontoon props, but they cost quite a few bucks and to do not have the exhaust bypass for reverse.

[rickdb1boat]

seahorse Which prop are you talking about (part #177202)? Is that an OMC prop or other brand and where would I get it? Is it cupped and how much?Thanks,

[seahorse5]

It is a Bombardier prop that just came out. They haven't even sent the info to the dealers yet, but they are in stock at the warehouses. Any Johnson-Evinrude dealer can order it for you.

[rickdb1boat]

Thanks Seahorse for the heads-up! Will check into it, pronto. $152 is more than reasonable! Just hope it goes as well in forward, as it does in reverse!

[seahorse5]

Rickdb1boat,That's why the prop is so cheap, it only works in reverse!!! :-)

[rickdb1boat]

That's OK Seahorse, I'll just unbolt the logs and turn them around.