prop help for a dummy!

[boatman37]

currently have a 14.5x17 prop on my 1986 sea ray sundancer 250 with an alpha 1 gen 1 merc 260. i have a stainless prop that i have never used and lent to a dock neighbor and offered to sell it to him. bottom line is that i want to sell it and buy a new aluminum one similar to my current one. mine has a few dings so will keep t as a spare. i looked but not real sure what it is i need? some ads say that the hub is not included?i told the dock neighbor i just wanted enough for the stainless prop to buy a new aluminum one but i don't know what i need to give him a price...lol.

i want a quality brand. can you tell me what it is i need so i can order the right thing?

also, wouldn't mind slightly more lower end to get on plane and gain a couple hundred RPM at full throttle

 

[Sea Rider]

What were achieved wot rpm as loaded with dinged prop ? as to buy same exact one or go for a less pitch prop if in need to pull wot revs higher.

Happy Boating

 

[boatman37]

4000RPM but not sure the prop was dinged before. i hit something a few weeks ago and was checking it and felt a few knicks in it the other day so not sure if they were there before or not

 

[Sea Rider]

If current prop doesn't have bent blades, make a new test run as previous and report if same 4K max achieved wot rpm. Which is the min-max wot rpm range for that engine ?

Happy Boating

 

[boatman37]

4200-4600. I have never been able to get over 4000 in the 2 years i have had it. not that concerned overall but figured if i am going to get a new one might as well get one that will give slightly better planing and maybe a little more RPM. i cruise at about 3400 at about 26-27MPH (GPS) with this prop.

 

[merc120_81]

i got a turning point prop for my boat. i went with a lower pitch as i wantes better pulling power and actually wanted to slow the boat down for trolling. i went from a 19 pitch 3 blade to a 17 pitch 4 blade i lost about 4 mph top end but it pulls better for water sports and has better low emd power to get up on plame quicker. turning point jad a prop wizard on their site and they have an exchange program i think.

 

[Sea Rider]

If the Rule of Thumb applies need to go down to a 15 pitch 3 blade prop. As previously tested, will achieve much better hole shot with slight less top speed, if reaches max wot rpm factory range, can throttle at your preferred rpm & speed with nice overall fuel consumption.

Happy Boating

 

[boatman37]

Thanks all