Michigan Wheel Vortex XHS #992202 Aluminum Boat Propeller 16p 4blade

[Starcraft5834]

I've got a Solas 4 blade 15p 14.75 in, get 32gps on my 20ft cuddy, 3.0 merc... at 4600 4800... also put a small whack in Solas blade on a rock this past season,, fixed that,, thinking of installing 16p and give that a try and put the whacked prop in reserve,.,, anyone use the Michigan prop? thoughts...

 

[Bondo]

Re: Michigan Wheel Vortex XHS #992202 Aluminum Boat Propeller 16p 4blade

I've got a Solas 4 blade 15p 14.75 in, get 32gps on my 20ft cuddy, 3.0 merc... at 4600 4800... also put a small whack in Solas blade on a rock this past season,, fixed that,, thinking of installing 16p and give that a try and put the whacked prop in reserve,.,, anyone use the Michigan prop? thoughts...

Ayuh,.... If yer motor is pullin' 4800 rpms with a 15" prop, yer motor is tried, or the hull is fulla water, or ya got the wrong drive ratio,...

 

[Starcraft5834]

Re: Michigan Wheel Vortex XHS #992202 Aluminum Boat Propeller 16p 4blade

"wrong drive ratio", what do you mean by that? the engine is a 3.0 in line 4 GM.. compression is good, had it checked... would going to a 16P bring down the WOT to around 4500?

 

[Slip Away]

Re: Michigan Wheel Vortex XHS #992202 Aluminum Boat Propeller 16p 4blade

I have always used Michigan Wheel props on my single prop drives. I would recommend them over Solas, anyday.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Michigan Wheel Vortex XHS #992202 Aluminum Boat Propeller 16p 4blade

"wrong drive ratio", what do you mean by that? the engine is a 3.0 in line 4 GM.. compression is good, had it checked... would going to a 16P bring down the WOT to around 4500?

Ayuh,.... Yer prop is very Small, with the standard 1.98:1 gear ratio, the rpms oughta be through the roof,...

If the drive has been changed with the wrong ratio, say a 1.84:1, or a 1.65:1,....
It would explain why ya gotta use such a tiny prop, to get the rpms up,...

Or the motor's down on power,....

Or the hull is fulla water, 'n extra Heavy,...

 

[Starcraft5834]

Re: Michigan Wheel Vortex XHS #992202 Aluminum Boat Propeller 16p 4blade

did not think a 14.75 in dia 4 blade was small....... would a 16 pitch, 15 inch 4 blade typically drop my RPM WOT down a little to 4400-4500?

Impervial Cuddy's are heavy hulled V's for sure.. motors fine, it runs strong and pushed me up on plane quickly and get about 33 gps with 4 adults... pulled skiers, tubes, no problem,, thought if I put a 16 pitch 15 inch 4 blade on it might bring my WOT down just a bit with a bit more top end speed... thanks guys........

 

[steelespike]

Re: Michigan Wheel Vortex XHS #992202 Aluminum Boat Propeller 16p 4blade

Before we get confused always state prop size diameter X pitch.
Diameter is large because the pitch is so small.
As a 20ft Cuddy I don't think 2150 is excessively heavy.
That's from the NADA guide, could be wrong.I see Jestor has it at 3000.
Though the V180 is indicated at 1920.
I agree with jester I think the Solas will do a better job.
A 16 inch will probably slow your hole shot pretty good.
You stated 4600-4800 rpm with 4 adults.If its closer to 4800 it would probably over rev with only one or two aboard and might do ok with a 17" prop lightly loaded and no water sports.

 

[jestor68]

Re: Michigan Wheel Vortex XHS #992202 Aluminum Boat Propeller 16p 4blade

That boat's operating weight is about 3300 lbs; kinda heavy for a 3.0L to push.

General rule is to expect 150-200 rpm change per inch of pitch change.

My experience is that a Solas or TP performs a little better than Michigan. Must be that squeeze casting technique they employ making their aluminum props.

But it appears that the 16 pitch 4 blade aluminum is only offered by Michigan, so that should work to get your rpm down a couple hundred and pick up a couple mph.

 

[Starcraft5834]

Re: Michigan Wheel Vortex XHS #992202 Aluminum Boat Propeller 16p 4blade

yes jestor dry weight is prob 2500. lb ish.... yes it is kinda heavy for a 3.0 to push,, however the 15p 14.75 dia 4 blade I put on made a big difference in hole shot,, I'm up in plane in 5 sec.. Im at 33gps at 4700- 4800 RPMs... it's about right,, I put a flat anode on the Alpha One drive, had to with the large dia prop, still have about 1/2 inch to go from prop tip to anode,,, I like the 15pitch, am thinking I should stay there and get the 14 4/5 dia 15pitch 4 blade by Solex Rubex.. a tiny bit more dia than what I have now to push with.... I hit rock on St Lawrence River fishing (easy to do up there), was not moving, actually just drifted into some...amazing how quick you can bend a prop and whack a little of the skeg off.... I hammered out the ding, looks good now,, but, I'd rather put a new on on this next season and keep the slightly whacked one for a spare.......

 

[jestor68]

Re: Michigan Wheel Vortex XHS #992202 Aluminum Boat Propeller 16p 4blade

What year is the boat/motor? Is it a 120 hp or a 135 hp?

 

[Starcraft5834]

Re: Michigan Wheel Vortex XHS #992202 Aluminum Boat Propeller 16p 4blade

1987 Imperialvc200,, it's the 3.0 in line 4 GM 140hp

 

[dazk14]

Re: Michigan Wheel Vortex XHS #992202 Aluminum Boat Propeller 16p 4blade

I like the Solas a bit better. If available, the amita has the built in rubber hub and is less money than a Rubex.

 

[dazk14]

Re: Michigan Wheel Vortex XHS #992202 Aluminum Boat Propeller 16p 4blade

In re-reading your post, it sounds like you want to switch to same pitch in Solas, just a rubex, because it has .05" more of diameter...

Is that correct? The 2 props are the same.

There is a 1 time use Michigan 15x16 Vortex starting at $40 + $12 shipping that may interest you, but it does not appear to have a hub kit.

Edit - typo. changed 17 to 16

 

[Starcraft5834]

Re: Michigan Wheel Vortex XHS #992202 Aluminum Boat Propeller 16p 4blade

Correct. .. .15p 17 dia? ..I don't have enough room for 17 dia.. even w flat anode..

 

[jestor68]

Re: Michigan Wheel Vortex XHS #992202 Aluminum Boat Propeller 16p 4blade

yes jestor dry weight is prob 2500. lb ish.... yes it is kinda heavy for a 3.0 to push,, however the 15p 14.75 dia 4 blade I put on made a big difference in hole shot,, I'm up in plane in 5 sec.. Im at 33gps at 4700- 4800 RPMs... it's about right,, I put a flat anode on the Alpha One drive, had to with the large dia prop, still have about 1/2 inch to go from prop tip to anode,,, I like the 15pitch, am thinking I should stay there and get the 14 4/5 dia 15pitch 4 blade by Solex Rubex.. a tiny bit more dia than what I have now to push with.... I hit rock on St Lawrence River fishing (easy to do up there), was not moving, actually just drifted into some...amazing how quick you can bend a prop and whack a little of the skeg off.... I hammered out the ding, looks good now,, but, I'd rather put a new on on this next season and keep the slightly whacked one for a spare.......

The Rubex would be my recommendation. It really doesn't cost more, considering the price(+$9) includes the Rubex hub kit and all new hardware.

When you install it initially, torque it to 60-65 lb ft to fully compress the hub and lock it in place.

 

[Starcraft5834]

Re: Michigan Wheel Vortex XHS #992202 Aluminum Boat Propeller 16p 4blade

Thanks...

 

[dazk14]

Re: Michigan Wheel Vortex XHS #992202 Aluminum Boat Propeller 16p 4blade

I edited my typo.

It should read 15x16 4 blade.

 

[steelespike]

Re: Michigan Wheel Vortex XHS #992202 Aluminum Boat Propeller 16p 4blade

It's a little late to bring this up But using your original numbers 4600-4800 15" pitch and 1.98 ratio @ 32 gps
Slip is a little questionable 3% at 4600 and 7% at 4800. 3% is unlikely 7% maybe but I think 10% is closer to what it should be.
Not too big a deal; I would suspect the tach unless we have the wrong ratio.
If we calculate for rpm using a more likely 10% slip we get 4950.
Again not too big a deal if you keep aware of it.
It does give you a slight cushion for increasing the pitch.

 

[Starcraft5834]

Re: Michigan Wheel Vortex XHS #992202 Aluminum Boat Propeller 16p 4blade

thanks spike.. i agree too that if I tried the 16p 4 blade at 15 dia.. it would bring my WOT down around to 4500,,, that's kinda of a "honey spot" relating to where my engine sounds best humming along.....I might get a mile per hr faster too Im definatly going to put a new prop on and keep the one with the ding as a back up... want to make sure the prop is in balance.....