Michigan Vortex VS. Hustler

[Cricket Too]

Hey guys,

I am planning on buying a prop here and am trying to decide between the Michigan Vortex or the Turning Point Hustler. Iboats has pretty good deals on all props so without taking cost in affect at all, which is the better prop?

Both are the same size and pitch, 13 3/4 X 15, so basically I guess I'm just asking which is better quality and/or performance prop.

Also, it seems that I will be going to either the XHS or FloTorque II hub kit on this prop, as required. I have never used any of the new hub systems, and haven't heard much about them. Any opinions? It's actually cheaper to go with one of these props and new hub system, than the old standard Michigan Match with a pressed hub, which surprised me.

Anyway I plan on ordering today, just wanted some opinions if anyone has used either. I was always under the impression that Michigan was a sort of "cheap" quality prop, but maybe the Vortex is a step up. I have never heard anything about the Hustler though.

Thanks, Mike.

 

[Cricket Too]

Re: Michigan Vortex VS. Hustler

^^^^

 

[John_S]

Re: Michigan Vortex VS. Hustler

I was running a Mich wheel vortex, 21 pitch, until I tweaked it / spun hub. Bought the new style Hustler 21 pitch. Just be aware that the Hustler is cupped and is like adding more pitch, compared to a MW or Merc Black Max. Hustler also has vent holes, which can help you get up to speed. As far as quality, they all seem around the same. So far, the Hustler's paint is holding up better, but need to get some more hours on it..

 

[Bry21317]

Re: Michigan Vortex VS. Hustler

I love the Hustler Props. I have been using these for a few years now.

I just put a new one on my 5.0 Mercruiser and it was alot better than the MW that it replaced.

They hold much better in the turns and will allow you to trim the engine alot more, they will also give you some top end.

 

[Cricket Too]

Re: Michigan Vortex VS. Hustler

Thanks, I kind of figured they were a better prop, but I wasn't really basing that on anything. I have seen a Vortex up close, they had them at West Marine so I took a look at them and they look real nice, but West Marine charges like $50 or $60 more than iboats does so.

Never seen a Hustler, but probably couldn't tell much by looking at it anyway. I probably can't go wrong with either, just figured I would see if there was anything known to be better about the Hustler over the Vortex, any better technology in it, even though it's only an aluminum prop. Just wasn't sure what the Vortex actually had different than a straight Michigan Match.

Does the Hustler have any extra cupping that will effect me reaching higher RPM? My whole point of re-propping is to get my WOT RPM higher, so I don't want anything to inhibit that.

Thanks for the info.

 

[Texasmark]

Re: Michigan Vortex VS. Hustler

Hustler advertises that they try to mimic a SS prop's performance in alum. One thing they can't overcome is thick blades due to the material. For me, it made a big difference when compared to the performance of SS.

If you are in alum, I'd take them in a heartbeat. Can't comment on the Vortex.

Mark

 

[John_S]

Re: Michigan Vortex VS. Hustler

If you are not getting enough wot rpms with a 15" pitch stock style prop, need to be looking at a Hustler in the 13" pitch range. In my experience with Hustlers, on a 40HP outboard and a Mercruiser, the extra cupping acts like additional pitch.

What is the boat, motor combination, and current WOT rpms?

 

[Cricket Too]

Re: Michigan Vortex VS. Hustler

imported_John_S.........I am running a 17" pitch now, a 14X17 MW, in decent shape, has some slight dings and some scrapes. It's putting me at a 5300 WOT RPM right now, with normal/average load and trimmed out. '97 Johnson 115 on a Sea Pro 19 WA.

I am looking to get to at least 5700, and figured a new 13 3/4 X 15 will get me there, especially since I'm getting 5300 from a prop with a little wear on it. Might even get 5800 out of it.

I was considering dropping to a 13" pitch, and just hitting 6K, as OMC's tend to like to be as close to 6K as possible, but I think this will kill my economy and drop my top end too much.

I am most concerned with WOT though and not lugging this engine, would also like a little more hole shot, it's pretty good now, but could be better. If I have 4 people on board it struggles to get on plane.

I have heard before that the Hustler's cupping will affect WOT RPM, and I guess act as more pitch as you say. When you say more I assume you mean more as in a higher number, say it will act like a 16" rather than a 15"?

I guess if I am looking to get WOT WPM as high as I can, I should go with the MW Vortex. I am running a MW now and I have no issues as far as ventilating in turns or anything, just need to get up to 57 or 5800.

Thanks for the help, Mike.

 

[John_S]

Re: Michigan Vortex VS. Hustler

Your logic seems fine based on MW tested. Keeping with the same brand prop makes for easy comparisons.

For comparing the Hustler to a MW, you want a Hustler with 1-2" less pitch than the MW.

 

[guy74]

Re: Michigan Vortex VS. Hustler

I run both a 14 X13 Hustler and a 13 3/4 X 15 Hustler on my boat. WOT with the 14 X13 is 6250, 5800 with the 13 3/4 X 15. I ported the 13 3/4 X 15 to help with the hole shot. I think it seemed like it was a little long in pitch compared to a OMC 13 3/4 X 15. Didn't get to run the 13 3/4 X15 very long in factory form (My cousin found a boat ramp with it). I had to reduce the diameter to 13 3/8 to clean up the damage, so the numbers that I have gotten since I did that will not help you. The numbers at the top are before I modified it.

 

[hal2814]

Re: Michigan Vortex VS. Hustler

I had both a 17" pitch Vortex and a 17" Hustler on my last boat at different times. The Michigan prop itself felt flimsier and didn't have as much top speed as the Hustler. I suppose if the cupping acts like additional pitch then some hole shot was lost with the Hustler but I didn't notice. I'd personally go Quicksilver over either of the two but if forced to pick, I'd take the Hustler based on my limited experience with the two.

 

[Cricket Too]

Re: Michigan Vortex VS. Hustler

Thanks for all the input guys, very helpful.

I actually just checked and I think this may be a BRP prop now. I originally though it was a MW, so I was going to just stay with the MW and just drop pitch....now I'm back where I started.

I think I will just go ahead and get the MW, they are cheap enough here on iboats.

Just wondering now if I should drop down to a 13" pitch and get even closer to 6K. How much would this help my hole shot and how much less efficient would this make my engine. I don't really care all that much about top speed, just really want to be at a 57 or 5800 WOT RPM.

 

[Cricket Too]

Re: Michigan Vortex VS. Hustler

hal2814......Why do you reccomend the Quicksilver props? Are these generally know to be quality props. They are readily available at West Marine, they have shelves of them. Never thought to look at them as most of the Quicksilver/Merc things I see are over priced for no reason.

I would consider one if they are good props though. Would love to find some place that would let me sample props, doesn't seem to be an option, at least here on LI.

 

[U Rest U Rust]

Re: Michigan Vortex VS. Hustler

I have tried 3 props. SS 15x17 wot 4100 gps 35. MC AL 15x17 no plane, AL 16x16, wot 3900 gps 32. After speaking with Hustler they recommended their 15.25x15. should arrive today. will try it out and let you know. I will be comapring it to the ss prop. My goal is to get the wot to 4500 and they assured me it would.

mercruiser 5.0, 23'

 

[hal2814]

Re: Michigan Vortex VS. Hustler

The BlackMax gives me better top speed (almost 5MPH on the speedo), lower RPM at my usual cruising speed (3600 vs. 3800 at 28-30MPH), and the holeshot feels better (no solid numbers on hole shot) than the Hustler. I haven't put a Vortex on my current boat to compare but I expect it to perform like it did on my old boat. The Quicksilver cost insane amounts of money at West Marine and even more money at my local Marine store. Check online for much better pricing.

Something else that's a lot more of a gut reaction is that they feel more solid than the Hustler (and a LOT more solid than the Vortex). It's my thinking that it would handle impact better but I don't know that for sure. That might just be marketing getting the better of me

 

[Cricket Too]

Re: Michigan Vortex VS. Hustler

Yeah I'm not sure what kind of performance an OMC is gonna get with a Quicksilver prop, from what I've heard the shape of Quicksilver props doesn't work too well with an OMC.

I found a guy here locally that will give me a good deal on a 13.5 X 15 Solas, so I am considering that.

I was gonna go with a 13.75 X 15 originally but I don't think the 1/4" of diameter will make too much difference, maybe even give me a slightly higher WOT RPM.

Any opinions on the Solas props, I haven't used them too much.

 

[U Rest U Rust]

Re: Michigan Vortex VS. Hustler

I tested the new Hustler prop this past weekend. It was better than I expected. Smooth and quick. After trying 4 different props, this is the one for my boat. WOT is perfect and the engine seemed to run as best I have heard it. I am sold on the Hustler.

 

[Cricket Too]

Re: Michigan Vortex VS. Hustler

OK, so I ended up going with an OMC 13 3/4 X 15" aluminum, and it brought me up to 5600 WOT, fully trimmed with average load.

Not too bad, pretty much what I expected, since I was running a 14 X 17" BRP and getting 5200 WOT.

I originally thought I had a MW on there, but realized it was a BRP. So I went looking for one locally and found a guy who sells them. He found an older OMC 13 3/4 X 15 still in the box. Gave it to me for $120. Same exact thing as what BRP puts out now.

Anyway I guess my question now is should I try to get my WOT higher on this Johnson 115 or is 5600 enough to not really be lugging it. I know that OMC's like to be at 5800+, but if I drop down to a 13" pitch, I'm gonna be hitting right at 6K and will probably lose more economy than I would like.

As it is now I usually cruise at 25mph, which I used to do at 4200 RPM with the 17" prop, now I run at 44-4500 to cruise at 25mph. I don't really care all that much about top speed, but if I drop to 13", I'm gonna have to run at 4700 to cruise at 25mph, and I'm not sure if that will burn more fuel or stay the same since the engine isn't lugging.

Thanks.

 

[Texasmark]

Re: Michigan Vortex VS. Hustler

I think you answered your own question. If you are just below max recommended with an average load, one would expect that you would be at or near max with a light load; otherwise (if you reprop to the lower pitch) you would have the opportunity to overrev when lightly loaded if you didn't cut back on the throttle.

I'd leave it alone and just add some Sea Foam to your fuel to keep any potential carbon buildup from happening if you are worried about it.

My 2c

Mark

 

[Cricket Too]

Re: Michigan Vortex VS. Hustler

Thanks Mark. I thought I would get a little more out of it when the load lightened, but it stays about the same.

My average load is me, my wife, a 1/2 tank of fuel (30-40 gallons) and usually a 50lb or so cooler, and then all the fishing gear I have in the cabin, that is always there.

When I am running with this average load, I am at 5600 trimmed out, when I go down to about a 1/4 tank and am just by myself, I'm still just around 5600 trimmed out, but I guess that could be because my wife doesn't weigh all that much.

Anyway, 5600 is my max, so I guess I will live with it for a while, I don't really want to drop to the 13" pitch. I am thinking of putting Smart Tabs on when the boat comes out in December, then I will see what that gives me next Spring. Hopefully some better hole shot and some more WOT RPM.
Just have to figure out how to mount them under the swim platform.

Thanks for the help.

Mike