Clueless to props

[JonM81]

I have an old 79 VIP bassboat... Its got the original prop on the mercury 80HP 800 model... The prop is all torn up. What prop would be best for pulling skiiers/wakeboarders... I am converting the boat to a ski boat. I have no clue as to how the size and pitch work. Also, should I invest in a stainless steal prop or will an aluminum be ok?? Thanks for any advice!

 

[roscoe]

Re: Clueless to props

Go Here: <br /><br /> http://www.boat-props.com/ <br /><br />Click on the topics and sections at the left for tons of info.

 

[JonM81]

Re: Clueless to props

I still have a couple of questions... I don't see my motor listed... Theres no 80hp mercury listed. My motor is a 1979 with "800" on it. Also there are several sizes and pitches to choose from. I dont know what would be best for pulling skiiers and wakeboarders... Thanks for your help.

 

[roscoe]

Re: Clueless to props

Post the numbers that are on your current prop. <br />Then I would drop the pitch by 2 inches, and use that as your starting point, to give you enough pulling power.<br />You won't really know till you try it on your boat, and can test the performance and your WOT rpm.

 

[JonM81]

Re: Clueless to props

my prop says 13/17. I am guessing the diameter is 13 and the pitch is 17... The options it gives me on iboats prop page for my motor is the following... 13/19... 13.25/17 and 13.75/15... My WOT RPM should be 5000-6000 and I will see where I am at this weekend... Thanks for the help!

 

[JonM81]

Re: Clueless to props

Yep... my WOT Is right at 5500 (befor my tach took a crap on me...) so I am good there... Yeah, saturday the tach went out, maxed all the way out to 8000 where it stops... but when I turn the key off, it goes back to 0. Turn the key back on and back to 8000... wierd... anyway... I think I am gonna go with the 13.25/17 prop in stainless steal for about 250.00... Thanks

 

[RJS]

Re: Clueless to props

Go to the Michigan Wheel web site. They have an excellent prop selector. You have to enter a lot of info, but they're recommended props are right on (in my experience). They recommended prop performed exactly as they said and I hoped it would.