Looking to replace props.

[ws6mcqueen]

I am looking to replace my props on my 1987 tempest 262. It has twin 4.3L OMC' with Cobra drives. Currently on the boat are a pair of standard rotating aluminum props that have definitely seen better days. Off the top of my head i am not sure of the size and pitch of the current props.

What i am looking to get is a pair of SS props. Any suggestions on what brand and style SS prop i should be looking at? The boat spends 90% of its time in Lake Erie. Thank you for any help.

 

[Scott Danforth]

welcome aboard

pull the existing props, read the number on the hub to get pitch and diameter, then get corresponding stainless

with twins, you should have one RH and one LH prop.

 

[steelespike]

A stainless prop can deliver improved results. Some thoughts beforehand. These will cost 2 to 3 times that of your present props.
If you boat where hard contact is likely repair can be costly and sometimes contact my involve the gear case.
Aluminum is more delicate but more forgiving and cheaper to repair.
If you boat where soft contact (mud,sand) is likely the SS will hold up better but cost more to repair.
A prop shop can repair your present props and perhaps tweak a little depending on your needs.
New stainless props would be very impressive over your beat up props but new aluminum would also
be a big improvement.

 

[alldodge]

I'll add, if you hit something with an aluminum prop you have a very good chance to damage only the prop. If you hit the same think with stainless you stand a good chance or damaging the drive.

 

[Scott Danforth]

FWIW run aluminum because down here in the ICW, you never know if the channel has shifted (soft sand), or a submerged boat is moving along. the guys at General Propeller know us on a first name basis.

However lake Erie doesnt change like the ICW, I would have no problem running stainless in the great lakes, as both my prior boats had stainless, and the Avanti was in Erie every walleye opener when Dad owned it.

 

[ws6mcqueen]

Thanks for the imput. I have already set my mind on SS props so i'm prepared to pay the price. As for pitch and diameter i will chose that once i get my old props since its currently in storage. One of the things i havent figured out is what prop brand/model i should be looking at since there are so many.

 

[alldodge]

To pick a better prop we need to know what your numbers are. Numbers needed are
Current prop pitch
Current WOT rpm
Current WOT speed (using a GPS)
Drive ratio

 

[ws6mcqueen]

current props are 14 1/2 with a 21 pitch. WOT is 4800 at 41 mph

 

[steelespike]

Numbers look pretty good though slip seems high.
Is the speed by gps?

 

[ws6mcqueen]

yes the speed is by gps. i believe the WOT may be a little high. but roughly around that amount.

 

[alldodge]

Phone app GPS or another?