Michigan Wheel Apollo XHS Feedback?

[kbragg]

In the prop market. Turning my OEM SS 13 3/4 x 21P 3-blade Vengeance into a spare. Seems most people think very little of the Vengeance series. I have a '05 Bryant 214 w/350MAG B1 with 4800-5200 W.O.T. rating. A couple people have suggested the Michigan Wheel Apollo XHS series in 14 3/4 x 21P 3 blade for good overall, general performance. <br /><br />Any thoughts or feedback? I've heard nothing of the Apollo series other than it's made in China, like everything else in the world. As long as I can get the balance checked, the price sure seems right.

 

[walleyehed]

Re: Michigan Wheel Apollo XHS Feedback?

I'm in the process of testing about 20 SS 3-bld props, and I have 1 apollo in a 21..I also have 3 other apollos' but in lower pitches. The 21 will be tested against a 21 Turbo, Merc LaserII, Tempest, a 20 and a 22P Raker, a MWC Ballistic, Turning point speed zone and an OMC/BRP SST series. It'll be atleast next week before I can give you any numbers on that prop, but I will report back on how it works compared to the others I've listed.

 

[stevens]

Re: Michigan Wheel Apollo XHS Feedback?

Walleyehed - if possible, could you please toss a Vengeance and a Stiletto in there as well? That way, we'll get a direct comparison with some common props that work especially well on sterndrives.<br /><br />

Seems most people think very little of the Vengeance series.

Well, not quite. It depends on the application. While the Vengeance may not be among the fastest or most aggressive of props, its main strength is that it's a good allround prop well suited for a wide range of applications.<br /><br />Anyway, I've tried my way from a Black Max via a Ballistic, a Turbo 3-blade, a Turbo 4 blade and 2 Stilettos, before I ended up with a Vengeance. It may not be right for all, but it seems about right for my boat. Next year I may try some other ones still, just for the fun of it.<br /><br />It's all a compromise, and you've just got to try some out until you find something you like.

 

[walleyehed]

Re: Michigan Wheel Apollo XHS Feedback?

stevens, the Vengeance will be run as well, but the props I listed don't have the blade area of the typical sterndrive type. I will also be running a mirage plus.<br />The purpose of this particular testing will be to get data comparing 6 new solas scorpion and lexor SS props.

 

[kbragg]

Re: Michigan Wheel Apollo XHS Feedback?

Thanks for the feedback. Definitely post your results Kenny - interesting to see how they all compare. Maybe I'm selling the Vengeance short. I have less than 20 hours on my first boat - should probably give it a chance.<br /><br />Newbie Question: What causes cavitation? If I throw the wheel to one side at high speed it winds up the rpms if I don't do it just right. Is this a prop issue or more of a 'user not really knowing how to drive his new boat' issue?

 

[ob15]

Re: Michigan Wheel Apollo XHS Feedback?

otto,<br /><br />That sounds like you prop is ventilationg in the turns not cavatating. Is it real bad or just a little bit? If you can live with it, it sounds like you have your setup just about right. We need much more info first though. I would start a new post if you want to tweak your setup or gather more info on your quesiton & let Kenny add his testing results. We're all looking forward to that.

 

[stevens]

Re: Michigan Wheel Apollo XHS Feedback?

Otto - here you can read up on ventilation, cavitation, and all those other fascinating prop things....<br /><br /> http://www.mercurymarine.com/everything_you_need_to_know_about_propellers6 <br /><br />About that Apollo propeller, this has been discussed recently by a prop-doc on the trailerboats forum. Not a very favorable opinion. Here's a link, hope this is not against forum rules: link .<br /><br />Walleyehed, I really look forward to seeing your results. Do you ever publish any of these tests? Seems to me that the boating magazines might pay for material like this, as there is very little third-party actual & serious prop comparisons to be seen out there.

 

[walleyehed]

Re: Michigan Wheel Apollo XHS Feedback?

The finished results will go to manufacturers first in order to give them time to respond, and then I will publish the Data for public viewing when cleared to do so....

 

[ob15]

Re: Michigan Wheel Apollo XHS Feedback?

Kenny, can I have your job?

 

[walleyehed]

Re: Michigan Wheel Apollo XHS Feedback?

Yes, you'd be surprised at how long it takes to run each prop at 4 different heights, not to mention the 25 gal/hr of fuel I'm burning doing WOT tests.

 

[ob15]

Re: Michigan Wheel Apollo XHS Feedback?

I bet you have a nice smile on your face when you're screaming along the watger though.

 

[walleyehed]

Re: Michigan Wheel Apollo XHS Feedback?

Anytime I'm on the water I seem to smile alot... <br />And, I get a good look at both ends of the lake!

 

[ob15]

Re: Michigan Wheel Apollo XHS Feedback?

Well, go have yourself some fun & thanks for all you help & input.