prop replacement

[river rat 26]

Got a 16 sea nyph with a 1986 30hp merc (tiller), recently added a manual jack (Bobs), and smart tabs, boat runs like a scalded dog. unbelievable the differance the tabs made, anyhow I hit something and wrecked my prop. I had it set up about 3yrs ago,it is or was a 10" with a pitch of 16 and about 25 degrees of cup. My problem is to buy anouther prop and have it set up the same I'm looking at about $175, I think I would be better off getting one off the shelf maybe stainless this go round but I am not sure what to purchase that would be comparable to the tricked alum I had. Any suggestions?

 

[cobra 3.0]

Re: prop replacement

If you go stainless and hit something, you'll have more to worry about than a prop! It'll wreck your whole bottom end, gears and all! Only use stainless props in water that is deep enough and that you know real well. <br /><br />Look at Ebay. I found a few prop deals on there!<br />Know the number of splines, diameter, and pitch of what you have and what is being shown.

 

[walleyehed]

Re: prop replacement

I disagree with the above post....I would recommend SS in any water. I'm tired of replacing/rebuilding aluminum everytime I hit a tree limb.<br /> We use ONLY SS on our State shocking and netting boats that we use in shallow stump/timber/rock infested water all day long, and have zero problems with lower units. The rubber hub should give before MAJOR damage is done with any prop.<br /> Aluminum is just a good all-around, standard use prop. <br /> Go SS, you won't go back to aluminum.

 

[river rat 26]

Re: prop replacement

I meant 1996 merc, I realize the pro's and cons of stainless props, this is a poor mans hot rod just for fun don't you know. Cobra, I know I can find a prop it's just I am not very knoweledgable about props and with the cup the machinist put in my old one I'm not sure how to duplicate the performance with a store bought one, also looking on the web I have not found anything close. All the props I'm seeing are pitched way lower than the one I had. The only outher I've tried is a 19 in the same diameter and it's a dog. So my question is are there any props out there that are aggressively cupped or maybe should I try a lower pitch to get the same performance. Also I don't have a clue what I could acheive with an increase in diameter, I've got room for anouther inch. Thanks for the input Cobra, I have had good luck with E-bay but I've got to get an idea what I'm looking for.

 

[river rat 26]

Re: prop replacement

Thanks Walleyehed, I was in 30ft of water when I hit, a section of the river I've been running for 25yrs, sometimes you just get caught.

 

[walleyehed]

Re: prop replacement

Understand completely....<br /> Stilletto builds some props for the smaller HP ranges...might look on the iboats site???<br /> By the way, Stilletto and Turbo are the same props with different stickers.<br /> You might also look closely at the Michigan wheel props available..they may have a prop that will be "workable" if needed.<br /> I'll do some looking-surfing, and get back with ya..............

 

[walleyehed]

Re: prop replacement

Riverrat, you can buy a 10-1/8X15" SS Ballistic for 179.95 from iboats, and have som pitch added if needed....It's got good rake as is....

 

[walleyehed]

Re: prop replacement

Merc also has the VENGEANCE for the 30HP......This would be a good choice as well.

 

[river rat 26]

Re: prop replacement

Thanks again Walleyehed, I had just seen the outher three at I-boats. That could work out well as they are saying to drop a pitch or two for ss props. Got any experiance with either of these props?

 

[walleyehed]

Re: prop replacement

The Ballistic is a performance prop, and is noted for the very thin blades and cut tips.<br /> I run a 13-3/8X19" Ballistic on my 115HP Jonny occasionally, but the pitch is alittle high for my application.<br /> I think most that have used the Ballistic have had good results as far as I know.<br /> Merc builds a hell-of-a-prop, and I run several of the TYPHOONS on OMC engines (customers), and I run a VENGEANCE on my 70HP Merc.<br /> They didn't cut any corners when they built their props.

 

[Jdeagro]

Re: prop replacement

River rat26;<br />Did you get an increase of Speed and RPMs after installing the Samrt Tabs? Hole shot was better I am sure, so the accelleration is no longer an issue and may allow for an increase in pitch resulting in more Top end. The line of Turning Point propellers is interesting since the Aluminium props are cupped like their Stainless Line.

 

[river rat 26]

Re: prop replacement

Thanks Walleyehed, yeah the vengence is looking better than the ballistic for my application, been looking at stilleto also, man there is a world of props out there.

 

[river rat 26]

Re: prop replacement

Nautijohn, hey how are you? Got the tabs installed last weekend and I can't thank you enough. I don't have any guages on this little boat so I can't give you numbers but it feels faster, the way it holds in turns and no (as in none) bow rise coming out of the hole. Also I really like the way it rides now, handles chop and wakes like a real boat.(I was getting pounded before) I can't wait to get repropped and back out there. The addition of the smart tabs is better than anyone could have made me believe. You have got it going on with these easy to install and set up little tabs, thanks again.

 

[Jdeagro]

Re: prop replacement

River Rat 26;<br />Thank you for the report, and I could not be more pleased that you are getting the results you want. It is hard to make people believe that small boats can benefit so much from such a simple and easy to install device. <br /><br />When you reprop try to determine the max RPMs, because the Smart Tabs are making the hull much more efficient the engine will pull more RPMs even without a prop change. You don't want to over rev the engine.

 

[river rat 26]

Re: prop replacement

yeah i guess i'm going to have to at least set up a temporary tach to do this right. Wish I had done it before I wrecked my prop, then at least I would know where I was. (the 10x16 with the cup on the blade tips was working great) I'm going to be lucky to find something that works as well as it did.

 

[ED21]

Re: prop replacement

River Rat<br />What size tabs did you get? I have a similar boat, but my boat sort of falls in between the manufacturers recommendations. I have a Sweet 16 Tracker w/ a 40 hp tiller Johnson. The boat handles well, but I would like to lower planing speed & bow rise.

 

[river rat 26]

Re: prop replacement

Ed, call the 800# no the web site, they will fix you up in a heartbeat

 

[ED21]

Re: prop replacement

Thanks. Will do.

 

[Jdeagro]

Re: prop replacement

River Rat<br />There are a number of automotive engine testers with tachs built in as a function ( even some timing lights). The newer ones work off of an inductive pickup on the spark plug cable (in addition to a 12 volt bat + -). This should do the trick for a temp hook up. You can select the number of cyl.<br />The 800 # is 800-233-0194!

 

[Jdeagro]

Re: prop replacement

Ed,<br /><br />Should be able to use a ST980-40.