tomorrow buying brand new 2008 mercury 90hp optimax-what prop/pitch for a 16' nitro??

[Timmernator]

I am buying a brand new 2008 mercury optimax 90hp tomorrow...We love our old 1995 160TF Nitro Rick Clunn edition...getting a decent buy at $7200 installed..My qusestion is a prop?? which one and what size and pitch? the boat currently runs 26 mph gps with the 40hp merc...

the dealer says to go with a 12 3/4 x 21 aluminum prop...the online mercury prop finder tells me all kinds of different stuff?? Im totally confused!!

any thought or suggestion would be greatly appreciated..I dont care too much about holeshot...it not a 225..I just want to be ok at the take-off and get the best rpm/top speed + handling I can get...thanks

 

[Dhadley]

Re: tomorrow buying brand new 2008 mercury 90hp optimax-what prop/pitch for a 16' nit

Actually you do care about holeshot. If the top rpm is right, the holeshot should be decent. If the holeshot is bad then most likely the top rpm will be off too.

A 21 sounds about right but is the one he suggests a 4 blade or 3 blade?

 

[Timmernator]

Re: tomorrow buying brand new 2008 mercury 90hp optimax-what prop/pitch for a 16' nit

it is a 3 blade...I guess I do care about the holeshot, but Ive been used to a merc 40hp...not much of a holeshot...if any at all...I just want decent all around performance...Im not going to keep up with the guys I fish against anyway....most of them are in 21' tritons and rangers...with 225hp...thanks for your help

 

[Dhadley]

Re: tomorrow buying brand new 2008 mercury 90hp optimax-what prop/pitch for a 16' nit

I sure wish Turbo still made the Lightning Jr. Your rig is a perfect canidate for one. I know where one new one is but it has a Yamaha hub (will work on a Merc, just have to change the thrust washer). Those had lots of lift, nice props.

 

[Timmernator]

Re: tomorrow buying brand new 2008 mercury 90hp optimax-what prop/pitch for a 16' nit

is that an older prop? I found a 13.125 x 19" michigan wheel AVENGER prop..I cant seem to find any info on this prop on the web..it must be an older one...just a few for sale here and there..I found one locally for $175...is that a decent deal or am I just wasting my money on an outdated prop? Im going to buy in the morning...have to have one for the !st lake test by the dealer...they were out of a prop that fit my new 90 optimax...

Ive also read where it is best to stick with the aluminum prop that has the 12 3/4 x 21" for the breakin period..then move up to stainless after 20 hours or so...will I need dual steering with the 90hp? will it pull to the right?? I know so many questions...LOL

thanks again for all your help

 

[Eshaw150]

Re: tomorrow buying brand new 2008 mercury 90hp optimax-what prop/pitch for a 16' nit

If it was me and i was buying a new motor i would expect the dealer to prop it out When i bought mhy used 98 dt140 suz i installed it and they proped it out and lake tested me at no charge and i got a killer deal on the motor and all the rigging