PROPELLER

[easyliving]

I have a Yamaha 55hp on a 17' aluminum boat, weighing about 800 lb. dry and 1500lb with bait well and two people.<br />My mexican mechanic says I need a new prop. but because he cannot get the correct prop. for the American engine, he has found a prop. available with a pitch of 12" as opposed to the 13" pitch of the original. Please tell me if this change will have a considerable impact on top end speed, gas consumption at cruising speeds or any other detrimental effects.<br />Would you recommend that I install this as a permanent/temporary fix or should I just wait the month or two it would take me to get an original. Do you have any idea what a new propeller for the Yamaha 55 (1993) model C55ELRQ motor would cost?<br />Thank you for a quick response, the mechanic is waiting for a reply from me......Is a 12" pitch propeller less expensive than a 13" prop of the same size?<br />EASYLIVING

 

[marcus32]

Re: PROPELLER

I don't know much about props but I do know you can order them online from bass pro.com or cabelas.com. Ihave used both and got quick turnaround. Not sure about their service to you however.

 

[SeaDawg]

Re: PROPELLER

Go to Yamaha' web site, and do a search on some of my earlier posts. <br /><br />Yamaha will shop various motor and prop tests.<br /><br />My gut feel is you will need around a 14 or 15 pitch prop, if your boat fully loaded will weigh around 1500 lbs and your Yammy is running properly.<br /><br />And, you can go to www.westmarine.com for price shopping. An alum prop will run you around $125 and change. All are the same price, regardless of pitch. Stainless is more expensive.

 

[novacane]

Re: PROPELLER

its like changing your rear axle gears moving from 13 to 12 will make the boat quicker with less hi-end speed feul ecomey<br />will suffer a skoche too how i understand it is for evey revolotion the prop turns it will go 12 inchs through the water 13 would of course move it 13 inchs per 1 prop rev not engine rev less load out engine will allow it to taCH up quicker but will run out of stream at hi cruise i agree though dpending on where your max rpm was on the 13inch sounds like your combo could stand 14<br />or 15 but of course you didbt give the diameter of it witch plays a role in all of this too

 

[MGuckin]

Re: PROPELLER

The difference from 13-12 is about 200 rpm increase. If 13 was near the top of your operating rpm range than 12 may be a problem as to over-revving. Top end speed would decrease slightly. 12 would be more hole-shot. Try this link for a suggested prop. http://www.miwheel.com/MIWheel/html/products/outboard/PSearch.asp <br /> <br />Mike

 

[Dhadley]

Re: PROPELLER

Since you are looking for a minimal increase in RPM, have you tried raising the motor? An increase in the X dimension (reduced drag) may get you what you want without the expense of a new prop. If the move doesnt work you can lower it back down. This may improve holeshot and top end while getting the RPM you want. <br /><br />All of this is guessing the motor is running correctly. What RPM can you turn now?<br /><br />Good luck?

 

[MGuckin]

Re: PROPELLER

Quote - "My mexican mechanic says I need a new prop". I assumed it was damaged if not, I agree with playing with trim. His prop size is pretty close to recommended size anyway.<br /> <br />Mike

 

[Dhadley]

Re: PROPELLER

Yes. Try different trim (angle) positions especially after you change the X dimension (height).<br /><br />Good luck!