Merc prop selector

[Stinnett21]

Not that I'm loosing sleep over it but I wonder why the Mercury prop selector doesn't mention more prop families for my boat (21' bowrider 5.0MPI A2). No matter what parameters I input it never recommends the Mirage or the Tempest Plus.

 

[jimmbo]

Maybe there are better choices than the Mirage or the Tempest Plus.
I think an Enertia would be an Excellent Choice. I have been running one since 2005.

 

[QBhoy]

Not that I'm loosing sleep over it but I wonder why the Mercury prop selector doesn't mention more prop families for my boat (21' bowrider 5.0MPI A2). No matter what parameters I input it never recommends the Mirage or the Tempest Plus.

Mirage wouldn’t be a great choice for that set up, to be fair. Very outdated prop these days too. Tempest plus can be a great prop, depending on the set up. But can also have a habit of acting like more pitch than it is. Huge blades on them. My bow rider turns a tempest pretty well. Unbeatable for efficiency mid range cruising for sure. But will drop the rpms all through the rpm range, compared to most props the same pitch.

 

[Pmt133]

I actually run a non plus Mirage on mine (shows how old it is) and I've loaned it out to a few people to try. It runs damn well on mine and most others I've loaned it to, but these are all old design hulls. Both actually sought them out after because of how nice it worked. Some hulls just really like the design... but I'd think on a more modern hull there is much better to be had. I agree they are old props, but there are still applications that they just work terribly well in. Albeit very few.

 

[Stinnett21]

My current setup:

Boat: 2002 Bryant 214 (open bow)​

Engine: 2002 5.0 MPI, A1 G2 1.62 ratio
WOT range of engine: 4600-5000
Prop: Quicksilver Silverado (Vengeance) 14x19
Top end: Lightly loaded, just me, small cooler, no tops, trimmed up, most I can get out of it - 51mph @ 5100 rpm on Vessel View Mobile. Once when I hit the chop just right it hit the limiter at 5150.
What I'm seeking: Frankly it runs great but maybe I don't know what I'm missing. The consensus online seams to be that my prop is old and sucked even when it was new so wondering what I could do to improve on a Ebay budget. Not worried about top end.

 

[JimS123]

The Merc engineers have files of data that they draw from. What they publish is what they consider optimum. That's not to say that others won't work just as good.

My list did not include an Enertia. But after using one, that will be my go-to forever. It's just that good.

 

[Stinnett21]

The Merc engineers have files of data that they draw from. What they publish is what they consider optimum. That's not to say that others won't work just as good.

My list did not include an Enertia. But after using one, that will be my go-to forever. It's just that good.

Can you share your experience in selecting your Enertia? Up or down in pitch in reference to your existing prop?

 

[JimS123]

Can you share your experience in selecting your Enertia? Up or down in pitch in reference to your existing prop?

Step 1: Old OEM aluminum prop gave xxx rpm. To hit max spec I figured 1" pitch change would change the rpm by about 200, so I calculated what I would need for a "perfect" aluminum prop.

Step 2: I figured going from aluminum to SS I would have to drop pitch by about 1", so I entered that into the equation.

My new Enertia came out just perfect. It was a lucky guess. The step 2 calculation is purely a guess. A cupped prop will usually have more bite and thus reduce rpms, but not all SS props have the same quantifiable effect. Lots of trial and error here.

One caveat is that I am using VesselView, so my rpm data is perfect.

 

[Stinnett21]

Good insight thanks!

 

[QBhoy]

My current setup:

Boat: 2002 Bryant 214 (open bow)​

Engine: 2002 5.0 MPI, A1 G2 1.62 ratio
WOT range of engine: 4600-5000
Prop: Quicksilver Silverado (Vengeance) 14x19
Top end: Lightly loaded, just me, small cooler, no tops, trimmed up, most I can get out of it - 51mph @ 5100 rpm on Vessel View Mobile. Once when I hit the chop just right it hit the limiter at 5150.
What I'm seeking: Frankly it runs great but maybe I don't know what I'm missing. The consensus online seams to be that my prop is old and sucked even when it was new so wondering what I could do to improve on a Ebay budget. Not worried about top end.

Definitely room for improvement over a vengeance. Honestly. I go on about them all the time. What a waste of metal. Literally just a heavy version of a black max ally. Not that the black max is a bad prop. Is what it is though and the value is the attraction. The vengeance on any boat I’ve seen it on, has yet to ma age any real benefit over a black max..most cases the black max actually performs better even.
I think you’re fortunate to have the 1.62 ratio. My 18ft boat (a heavy thing at over 3000 lbs) has a 5.0 mpi, but with a 1.47 ratio. Means I’m in no man’s land for the ideal prop. She has a cam in her from the makers too. Makes her pretty weak down low, should I run a prop that can take advantage of the power top end. This means I end up running a happy medium prop, usually a 20” enertia…sometimes even a 19” if I’m loaded up and wanting to be quick off the mark.
You’ll definitely notice a difference with a better prop.

 

[Scott06]

As others have mentioned I would try an Enertia or Revolution 4. You want to prop it like your current to hit the upper end of WOT.

I have similar size Sea Ray 200 sport with a 5.0 with Edlebrock 4 bbl, so probably a few ponies shy of your 5.0 mpi. A lot of folks here dont like 4 blades but for me the Rev 4 works great, slightly bested the Enertia in my application. Most of my use is a pretty full boat pulling skiers or boarders.

There a few places that do demo or try before you by/pitch exchange programs - I think Prop MD, BBlades, and Prop Gods do programs like this.

 

[Pmt133]

Merc also has a dealer demo program if you look on their site. I've never used it but know people who have.

 

[Stinnett21]

As others have mentioned I would try an Enertia or Revolution 4. You want to prop it like your current to hit the upper end of WOT.

I have similar size Sea Ray 200 sport with a 5.0 with Edlebrock 4 bbl, so probably a few ponies shy of your 5.0 mpi. A lot of folks here dont like 4 blades but for me the Rev 4 works great, slightly bested the Enertia in my application. Most of my use is a pretty full boat pulling skiers or boarders.

There a few places that do demo or try before you by/pitch exchange programs - I think Prop MD, BBlades, and Prop Gods do programs like this.

Man that Rev 4 has got to be a heavy prop. I assume you have an alpha? Does it shift ok?

 

[Scott06]

Man that Rev 4 has got to be a heavy prop. I assume you have an alpha? Does it shift ok?

Shifts fine, yes it is heavier than the avg prop. A lot of outboards use the same dog clutch as an alpha so not an uncommon situation.

 

[Stinnett21]

Definitely room for improvement over a vengeance. Honestly. I go on about them all the time. What a waste of metal. Literally just a heavy version of a black max ally. Not that the black max is a bad prop. Is what it is though and the value is the attraction. The vengeance on any boat I’ve seen it on, has yet to ma age any real benefit over a black max..most cases the black max actually performs better even.
I think you’re fortunate to have the 1.62 ratio. My 18ft boat (a heavy thing at over 3000 lbs) has a 5.0 mpi, but with a 1.47 ratio. Means I’m in no man’s land for the ideal prop. She has a cam in her from the makers too. Makes her pretty weak down low, should I run a prop that can take advantage of the power top end. This means I end up running a happy medium prop, usually a 20” enertia…sometimes even a 19” if I’m loaded up and wanting to be quick off the mark.
You’ll definitely notice a difference with a better prop.

Always appreciate your prop insights, thanks.

 

[QBhoy]

Shifts fine, yes it is heavier than the avg prop. A lot of outboards use the same dog clutch as an alpha so not an uncommon situation.

There is an excellent quite recent hub kit available now…takes up loads of the harsh out shifting, with props like these Scott. What a difference I found. Especially on the outboard

 

[Scott06]

There is an excellent quite recent hub kit available now…takes up loads of the harsh out shifting, with props like these Scott. What a difference I found. Especially on the outboard

If I recall I am using the hub kit with the bushing up front-

mazon.com/QuickSilver-835257Q6-Flo-Torq-Hub-bushing/dp/B0015CWW62/ref=pd_lpo_sccl_1/131-6276827-5899769?pd_rd_w=0S7XG&content-id=amzn1.sym.116f529c-aa4d-4763-b2b6-4d614ec7dc00&pf_rd_p=116f529c-aa4d-4763-b2b6-4d614ec7dc00&pf_rd_r=J6BQ93CT5XZNGWJ19AG3&pd_rd_wg=kJiDj&pd_rd_r=f007c042-2385-4034-ae8f-0fe1305695db&pd_rd_i=B0015CWW62&psc=1

Everyone complains about Alpha clunking but its the same as many of the outboards these days...I have no issue with mine. No rattling at idle that some get with the OBs

 

[QBhoy]

If I recall I am using the hub kit with the bushing up front-

mazon.com/QuickSilver-835257Q6-Flo-Torq-Hub-bushing/dp/B0015CWW62/ref=pd_lpo_sccl_1/131-6276827-5899769?pd_rd_w=0S7XG&content-id=amzn1.sym.116f529c-aa4d-4763-b2b6-4d614ec7dc00&pf_rd_p=116f529c-aa4d-4763-b2b6-4d614ec7dc00&pf_rd_r=J6BQ93CT5XZNGWJ19AG3&pd_rd_wg=kJiDj&pd_rd_r=f007c042-2385-4034-ae8f-0fe1305695db&pd_rd_i=B0015CWW62&psc=1

Everyone complains about Alpha clunking but its the same as many of the outboards these days...I have no issue with mine. No rattling at idle that some get with the OBs

Dead right there. Only noticed prop rattle at idle on my outboard really. Especially at idle and going down the river with a current, to the mooring.

 

[Scott06]

Dead right there. Only noticed prop rattle at idle on my outboard really. Especially at idle and going down the river with a current, to the mooring.

Yeah everyone acts like on an alpha it is unacceptable to clunk going into gear but I think most outboards are dog clutch too?

For your application I think they make a hub that is rubber vs delrin (hard plastic). Not sure if it is OEM Merc or aftermarket.

 

[Stinnett21]

Yeah everyone acts like on an alpha it is unacceptable to clunk going into gear but I think most outboards are dog clutch too?

For your application I think they make a hub that is rubber vs delrin (hard plastic). Not sure if it is OEM Merc or aftermarket.

Anyone ever busted a delrin vs rubber? Wondering if there's any truth that the rubber will get you home, albeit slowly, while the delrin will just spin.