QuickSilver vs Michigan Wheel ??

[MercGuy]

Hi,

I've been running a QuckSilver 12.75 x 21 prop on my 1998 Searay 175 bowrider with a 1998 Merc 115 2 stroke.

This prop has been doing pretty well (4900 rpm @ 41 MPH with a medium load).

I'm looking for a new prop, and I don't know if I should buy another QuickSilver or maybe a Michigan Wheel Vortex. The Vortex is the same dia & pitch, does anyone know what difference would I see with the Vortex ??

Thanks,

-Steve

 

[walleyehed]

Re: QuickSilver vs Michigan Wheel ??

To be Honest, you're assuming too many generalizations...
#1, you're not at the RPM you should be with a normal load, ie, over-propped.
Quicksilver makes a ton of different models of props, and a name or P/N would tell us which prop it is.
From there we can get an Idea as to which direction to go.

 

[MercGuy]

Re: QuickSilver vs Michigan Wheel ??

To be Honest, you're assuming too many generalizations...
#1, you're not at the RPM you should be with a normal load, ie, over-propped.
Quicksilver makes a ton of different models of props, and a name or P/N would tell us which prop it is.
From there we can get an Idea as to which direction to go.

The prop is a QuickSilver #QA2040X, I think this is also known as a Black Diamond prop.

I'm curious why you would consider my boat over propped, the recommended rpm for my engine is 4750 to 5250, so I'm almost dead in the middle of that range.

Please elaborate.

Thanks,

-Steve

 

[walleyehed]

Re: QuickSilver vs Michigan Wheel ??

dead in the middle with a "medium" load is over-propped...It's best to prop for the top of the RPM range, and always with a normal load....this is where your longest engine life, fuel economy and you being happy with performance will be the highest. This can be achieved in a couple of ways.....one is change props, the other is to simply raise the engine on the transom.
Some hulls react better than others, but it's cheap and fairly easy to do.
Are you dead-set on staying with aluminum? The Vortex is MWC's general purpose aluminum as well...same as the Black Diamond.
Both will provide near the same performance...if you want a better performer, let's look at an SS prop...
A Stiletto in a 19P will pull about 100 lower than an aluminum of 19P, and would put you in the 5200+/- range with the same load and likely be a tad faster with better cruise and a real good hole-shot, if you choose to leave the engine as-is. If you're willing to "play" a bit and raise the engine, you "may" be able to stay with a 21P in an SS, and stay in the 5100-5200 range..
All depends on what you want from the boat, but regardless, shoot for the upper limit with a Normal load.

 

[MercGuy]

Re: QuickSilver vs Michigan Wheel ??

This is very interesting, thanks for helping.

I always assumed that like an automobile engine, keeping the rev's as low as possible w/o lugging was the goal.

I would very much prefer a stainless prop, but I'm worried about damage to my lower unit if I strike something. I run in the Ohio river quite often and you never know what might end up in your path. Does the rubber hub provide enough protection ?

Thanks again !!

 

[Crownie2]

Re: QuickSilver vs Michigan Wheel ??

One way to answer the SS dilema is to ask how many times you have done serious damage to your alum. prop. If the answer is quite a few times, then perhaps the alum. is a better choice. If not often and not too serious, then an SS should be OK.

Bob

 

[MercGuy]

Re: QuickSilver vs Michigan Wheel ??

One way to answer the SS dilema is to ask how many times you have done serious damage to your alum. prop. If the answer is quite a few times, then perhaps the alum. is a better choice. If not often and not too serious, then an SS should be OK.

Bob

Actually, I only did serious damage to a prop once, several years ago. I ran up on a sand bar. In those days I kept my depthfinder alarm set to 3 feet. Worked great trolling in and out of marinas, doesn't do much good when your running 25 MPH though... Now I keep the alarm set to 12 feet.

Since then any prop damage is the result of the prop hitting something floating in the water. Generally just enough to bend the aluminum blade a little bit.

I'm really leaning towards SS now. I'll probably get the Stilletto 19 mentioned above, unless anyone has a different recommendation.

 

[shelikesit]

Re: QuickSilver vs Michigan Wheel ??

I guess I'll be running aluminum for a few years. I was thinking about a SS one but as per Crownie2's post I believe I'm good with aluminum for a long long time.

 

[walleyehed]

Re: QuickSilver vs Michigan Wheel ??

There's alot more to this than meets the eye.
If you're tearing blades clear off or taking huge chunks out, then yea...stay with aluminum.
If you're just nicking a blade, running in sand, swatting some trees, hitting the occasional floating lawnchair, etc...you will be money ahead to go SS. The only place I would not recommend an SS prop is where there are lots of big rocks, boulders, etc..in shallow water, in which case I would recommend a jet unit over a typical outboard lower unit.

 

[shelikesit]

Re: QuickSilver vs Michigan Wheel ??

running in sand is my biggest problem............ the bottom changes when the wind blows.......

 

[walleyehed]

Re: QuickSilver vs Michigan Wheel ??

I'd go SS by morning............
No question at all.

 

[Crownie2]

Re: QuickSilver vs Michigan Wheel ??

Kenny has hit the nail directly on the head. If it's just occasional sticks and just a little sand then SS is the way to go.

Mercguy - the 19" Stiletto sounds good to me - I think you will be pleased...

Bob

 

[Texasmark]

Re: QuickSilver vs Michigan Wheel ??

All the sand will do to a SS is shine her up a bit....if it's dull. d

Mark

 

[MercGuy]

Re: QuickSilver vs Michigan Wheel ??

Well, I received my 19" Stilleto this weekend and gave it a try. Conditions were not optimal, as the river was very rough while I was out, and I couldn't run wide open very long as I was beating myself up.

I must say that you guys know your stuff !!! Hole shot was awsome, the boat just leap out of the water. Top speed was faster than I have ever run in my boat, I hit 44.2 on my GPS (I was running down stream in a swift current) at 5200 RPM. I really couldn't work with it much as far as trim, etc. My wife and I just couldn't take going that fast on rough water.

Alas, all is not perfect thought. When running at 1000 rpm and below the prop produced a very pronounced vibration that shook the hole boat. It seemed to clear up at higher speeds, but I'm worried about the long term effect on my lower unit and engine. It really made trolling in and out of the marina stressful.

I also noticed that shifting in and out of gear produced quite a shock to the engine. I've read that this can be a problem with SS because of the added weight.

So, all in all I'm on the fence with this one. I LOVE the performance, but I'm concerned about the low speed vibration and the "clunk" when I shift.

Thanks for all your help,

-Steve

 

[ziggy]

Re: QuickSilver vs Michigan Wheel ??

most folks know more about props than i do. but i run the river too (the missouri). debris is everywhere, some of it floating mighty low in the water. i aint takein the chance. i'm gonna continue to run alum. bent me a blade last time out too and have no idea what i hit.
bummer on the low speed vibration, no idea what it's caused by. only thing i can think of is, if the old prop don't vibrate, and the new one does. it must be the prop. vibration can't be good.....i just went from a 21 alum. to a 19 alum. i like it alot.......i'm now gettin the top end of wot with a light load. i think my engine is happier now too.....yep, much better holeshot and top speed is about the same (21 vs 19) round abouts 43ish on a pace boat w/gps....

 

[Crownie2]

Re: QuickSilver vs Michigan Wheel ??

Yes - on some SS props I have noticed more "shift shock" as well as some additional vibration at some speeds. I believe you are correct about the added weight having an effect. A slight imbalance will be noticable.

You may want to try another brand prop just to check...

Bob

 

[Texasmark]

Re: QuickSilver vs Michigan Wheel ??

Hence the case for the multiblade props (4 and 5 blades). Seems there is always something.

The prop I like to run causes "clutch dog rattle" on my engine when rpm's are below 1000. Sounds like every bearing in the lower unit is shot.....banging and clanking. Makes manuevering and trailer loading awkward as I shift in and out of gear to get the propulsion to move the boat but reduce the rattle.

The props in alum or a lot less pitch don't rattle, but the performance sucks! So I put up with it. Merc says it doesn't hurt anything.

On your vibration below 1000, not sure that it is all that bad. Now if you had it at 5000 then it might tear up something over time.

On shifting, expect more "thunk". Also the Merc manual says that your engine (and mine) are supposed to idle at 675 rpm in F gear, in the water. If you are turning faster than that it will increase the shock load to the engine.

Mark

 

[walleyehed]

Re: QuickSilver vs Michigan Wheel ??

Mercguy, send me a PM or email me.
ktsander@st-tel.net
we need to take a look at the vibration issue....not typical of a stainless prop of Stiletto quality.

 

[Dallin]

Re: QuickSilver vs Michigan Wheel ??

If you all get this figured out, I'd love to hear your conclusions.

 

[walleyehed]

Re: QuickSilver vs Michigan Wheel ??

One of the possible answers is if the prop is on a 3-cylinder engine....Mark knows about this, and this is a relatively new finding with all of the manufacturers coming out with several new 3-cylinder engines, the prop builders are finding the Merc in particular has a clunking noise that is present mostly with 3-bld props, but has no affect on engine wear/ lower unit wear.
Sounds to me like it's something we will have to live with if running 3-cylinder engines due to firing timing and prop load.