Anyone know about Mercury Props?

[sharps45]

I am still continuing the search for the perfect prop. As I've gone through in my previous posts, I've had the engine tuned, the hull gleams, and the prop performance hasn't changed. I took it out today and the 17P Michigan alum still goes 32 mph (gps) at 4200 RPM WOT, leaving me overpropped. The 19P still has no hole shot, no top end, and rpms of around 3500 WOT.
I'm going into Salt Lake on Wednesday to try out some props. The places I've contacted so far that rent props for testing all sell Mercury props.
The props are from $15 to 20 each for the day, so I would like some input on which Merc props would be best for my situation. I would like to use only those that give me a reasonable shot at fulfillment.
I am going to try both 3 and 4 blade, probably SS, (but alum if you guys suggest it) and it was suggested by one dealer that I try a 5 blade. Could you experts give me some idea of which merc props to try? Which have the best rep for performance? Which would probably give me the best overall performance? How do they compare with say the Solas Titan or Stiletto props.

23 ft deckboat, 5800 lbs loaded, volvo penta 250 hp. WOT range is 4200 to 4800.
Thanks for the input.

 

[QC]

Re: Anyone know about Mercury Props?

At what altitude will you test and what altitude do you normally boat? What's your priority? Hole shot? Top speed? Reasonable balance of both? If it were me, I'd go 5 blade for hole shot, 3 for speed and 4 for balance. That's a lot of boat for 250 hp especially if you are running above 3000 ft. . . .

 

[sharps45]

Re: Anyone know about Mercury Props?

Most of my boating is on smaller lakes (3 to 5 miles long) at 5000 ft and above. Hole shot is the only thing important there. Vacations are spent on larger lakes where both hole shot and top end speed are wanted. The 17 pitch seems okay for the smaller water, although the low rpms at wot bother me a little. I'm looking for something for the larger lakes, with good all around performance, that maybe would be okay at both altitudes. thanks

 

[QC]

Re: Anyone know about Mercury Props?

Have you seen this?

 

[sharps45]

Re: Anyone know about Mercury Props?

Yes, that's what I've looked at to try to judge which props to try. I was mostly wondering if anyone has any actual experience with any of them, and how they compare to other brands. thanks again

 

[smithrock]

Re: Anyone know about Mercury Props?

Have you seen this?

Do you have the website from which this is from? I saw it on here before, but I didn't bookmark it.

 

[sharps45]

Re: Anyone know about Mercury Props?

It's on the mercury prop page.

http://sites.mercurymarine.com/portal/page?_pageid=126,49355,126_49365&_dad=portal&_schema=PORTAL

 

[smithrock]

Re: Anyone know about Mercury Props?

Thanks

 

[walleyehed]

Re: Anyone know about Mercury Props?

I've tested many props for Merc....what is it you'd like to know???
If you have the heavy deck-boat, and have some known numbers that are accurate with a known prop, I can tell you right now, the Enertia will be hard to beat, but choosing the correct pitch is the tough part...most of the rules of thumb go out the window with this prop.

 

[darrklim2]

Re: Anyone know about Mercury Props?

I am still continuing the search for the perfect prop. As I've gone through in my previous posts, I've had the engine tuned, the hull gleams, and the prop performance hasn't changed. I took it out today and the 17P Michigan alum still goes 32 mph (gps) at 4200 RPM WOT, leaving me overpropped. The 19P still has no hole shot, no top end, and rpms of around 3500 WOT.

I really don't know much more than I have read on here but, shouldn't you have gone the other way if you wanted more rpms? You went from a 17p to a 19p, am I right? Wouldn't you want to go to a 15p to get some more rpms? Just my thoughts.

 

[smithrock]

Re: Anyone know about Mercury Props?

I've tested many props for Merc....what is it you'd like to know???
If you have the heavy deck-boat, and have some known numbers that are accurate with a known prop, I can tell you right now, the Enertia will be hard to beat, but choosing the correct pitch is the tough part...most of the rules of thumb go out the window with this prop.

What is the REAL difference between the Laser II and the Vengeance?

and will a SS prop pull the same RPM's as an aluminum prop, both with same dia. and pitch?

 

[rondi]

Re: Anyone know about Mercury Props?

The Vengeance is a very basic SS prop that is copied from the Black Max.
Same design, just a SS Black Max.

 

[walleyehed]

Re: Anyone know about Mercury Props?

Close...it IS a basic entry-level SS prop... The Laser is best suited to light,135-150hp class boats with outboards...the Vengeance is better suited to sterndrive applications.

 

[Tail_Gunner]

Re: Anyone know about Mercury Props?

Close...it IS a basic entry-level SS prop... The Laser is best suited to light,135-150hp class boats with outboards...the Vengeance is better suited to sterndrive applications.

Don't know if id trust this marble eye'd guy or not.......... but then again there once was a time............ this guy graced this foum with knowledge and insight i have yet to see in any business retail or the NET.........

 

[sharps45]

Re: Anyone know about Mercury Props?

I was able to rustle up three props for rent, and took the boat out yesterday to test them. Boat wasn't fully loaded, and elevation was 4400 feet. Here are the results:
Enertia 16p- rpm 4200 WOT speed 35 mph gps hole shot very good, trimmed out well and didn't blow out on turns
Enertia 15p- rpm 4400 WOT speed 32 mph gps hole shot okay but not great, trimmed out well and was okay on turns
Vengeance 15p- rpm 4500 WOT speed 32 mph gps hole shot pretty pathetic, blew out when trimmed out or on turns. I was definately not impressed with this one.
Do you think I should have tried a 17p in the Enertia? I'm worried about the low rpms, but they're closer to normal than the 17p alum Michigan I've been running (4200).
These were the only three rentable props I could find in the Salt Lake area that would fit the boat. If anyone knows of any others pm me please.
The shop wanted $540 for the Enertia. Is this out of line? Are there other props out there close to it I could look into? Is there anywhere online you can rent and try props?
I'm wondering if my tach is working properly, as I expected better rpm numbers from the lower pitches. I had it checked before, but am trying to get an appointment with another mech to look at it again.
I'm going to Powell in two weeks and need to find something before then. Will you experts give me some more advice? thanks

 

[smithrock]

Re: Anyone know about Mercury Props?

will a SS prop pull the same RPM's as an aluminum prop, both with same dia. and pitch?[/QUOTE]


Anyone know?

 

[Crownie2]

Re: Anyone know about Mercury Props?

Check E-bay retailers. I got an Enertia ro a lot less than that...

 

[smithrock]

Re: Anyone know about Mercury Props?

will a SS prop pull the same RPM's as an aluminum prop, both with same dia. and pitch?

Anyone know?[/QUOTE]

?????

 

[jimmbo]

Re: Anyone know about Mercury Props?

Quote:
Originally Posted by smithrock
will a SS prop pull the same RPM's as an aluminum prop, both with same dia. and pitch?

Anyone know?

It might or it might not. SS might have better hold on water resulting in lower rpm. Thinner blades of SS offer less drag therefore it might raise RPMs. SS usually have more agressive cupping which would lower rpm. Blade shape and rake will make differences as well. Too many variables to give an absolute answer.

 

[walleyehed]

Re: Anyone know about Mercury Props?

jimmbo gave a pretty good answer there..
The SS prop, depending on design, has the ability to gain speed if the design creats more "over-all" lift.....and it can go both ways, but "usually" the RPM will be about the same on a good prop and due to higher efficiency, the speed will be higher.
As stated above though, there are many variables that can affect this.