I'm not sure what you mean by "cheap props" but if you do a search on here for the different brand names, you will find a wealth of information. One thing that is for sure is that the advantages and disadvantages of a prop on any given boat is not going to be determined by the cost of the prop. Believe it or not, some of us choose not to use a stainless prop for reasons other than cost...
What is mean by "cheap prop" is here on iboats, for the same pitch, same size, same aluminum, some start at $96 and go up to $243. I want to know if there is a problem buying a $96 solas brand. I am unsure why the big price differences.
Now stainless which I am NOT even considering as I already have one, is even more money.
I just unboxed a Solas Amita 13 1/4" x 17" aluminum prop today.
The finish is nice, the casting looks first rate, the splines are shiny brass, rubber hub....overall, and without having bolted it on yet, I would say it appears to be a well made prop.
Made in Taiwan China if that is of concern to you.
The Solas aluminium props are an excellent value prop. I have Solas Amita 4-blade 13p that I use for watersports and a Solas HR Titan 4-blade 15p stainless that I use as my main prop.
As with everything today price is everything. Just making sure I was not buying a prop that would leave me stranded because I was being a cheapskate. In my opinion a hub should never spin unless the prop got struck. Although my buddy said he had his spin and never hit it on anything. That is actually my biggest fear is a hub spin for no reason.
ford - solas isone of the big players in the prop market, quality will not be a concern. Just make sure you are chosing the CORRECT design and pitch, not just a price.
Just went back and looked at your siggie - You may want to take a look at the Turning Point Legacy/Hustler props, they have a very aggressive blade design and are ventilated to help with hole shot.
looking at my boat in the signature? It will run up to about 4300RPM now wide open and I can match my rpm to MPH using the in boat guages. So at 3100 RPM I am going about 31-33 MPH for the most part. I have a 21 pitch on there now in stainless.
Price is really an issue because I will damage it for sure, not to mention spent money on lots of other things lately. I am a newbie. And will be doing alot of boating without a depth finder.
Yes, that one will work. If I were in your shoes I would go with a 4-blade 19p to raise your RPM at WOT up to 4800 and improve hole shot and water sports.
21" vs 19" pitch will do what for fuel economy? Any idea if a 19 is what is supposed to be on a 5.0L. For some reason I beleive somone upped it. I have no basis for this assumption, thus why I am asking.
21" vs 19" pitch will do what for fuel economy? Any idea if a 19 is what is supposed to be on a 5.0L. For some reason I beleive somone upped it. I have no basis for this assumption, thus why I am asking.
It's about getting the prop that will allow your motor to turn at the top end of the manufacturer's recomended RPM range at WOT. If the 21p only allows 4300RPM at WOT and the 19p allows 4600-4800 then the 19p is the better choice.
Running an over pitch prop may result in slightly better fuel economy but will cause more wear on the engine because it is working harder to turn the prop. Over propping increases operating temperatures and carbon buildup.
My merc owners & maint manual that came with the boat, says 4200RPM - 4600RPM. I am also going by my boat tach not a precise one.
Going to a 19p prop will do what? Raise RPM, cut top speed slightlt, cut fuel economy slightly, but gain engine life, and improve take offs. Am I correct?
Mtypically what do people run on the 5.0L 200HP engines with 19-20' boats?
Can a S/N tell you the gear ratio? GPS says 51 MPH at 4300 RPM, I do not have a more precise instrument for rpm. Boat speedo shows 56 at 4300 rpm. All the boats I test drive, the GPS is always at least 5 under the speedo reading. Must have something to do with the pickup tubes.
i have a solas amita four blade and i can tell you i absolutly love it!also have the michigan wheel ones with the new style hubs and their pretty slick also!luckly for me my friend is a prop repair guy and retailer so i get to try several types till i find what i and my motor like.
