I re-powered my cabin cruiser, and need a little help with the prop.
Boat is a 22' 1996 cabin cruiser, 5.7LX Mercruiser, 1.47 ratio Stern Drive. Boat is speced at 3480 lbs, but have never weighed it. I suspect it's heavier than this. Precise engine specs were difficult to come by. The crate motor is a late model roller cam Vortec block, that had the fuel pump machined, and non-Vortec 12 bolt heads installed. Originally I was told it was 320 HP at 5000 RPM, but I don't see how that could be right. More likely 270 HP at 4800 RPM.
I'm currently running a Stainless Mirage 15.5 x 17p, with no vent holes (48-16318A5). Un-trimmed I get 4210 RPM and 40.5 MPH. Trimmed 4400 RPM and 43.0 MPH.
It's a little sluggish getting on plane with 4 people on board. I mostly do cruising with just 2 people.
I would like to get an aluminum prop to use when launching, as my lake has rocks at the ramp, and I hate to tear up the stainless prop. The Mercury prop selector has given me Aluminum Black Max 16 x 16p (48-16440A45) and Aluminum Black Max 15 x 17p (48-832828A45).
What would you recommend for an aluminum prop?
Also, do you think the Stainless Mirage I have is right?
Boat is a 22' 1996 cabin cruiser, 5.7LX Mercruiser, 1.47 ratio Stern Drive. Boat is speced at 3480 lbs, but have never weighed it. I suspect it's heavier than this. Precise engine specs were difficult to come by. The crate motor is a late model roller cam Vortec block, that had the fuel pump machined, and non-Vortec 12 bolt heads installed. Originally I was told it was 320 HP at 5000 RPM, but I don't see how that could be right. More likely 270 HP at 4800 RPM.
I'm currently running a Stainless Mirage 15.5 x 17p, with no vent holes (48-16318A5). Un-trimmed I get 4210 RPM and 40.5 MPH. Trimmed 4400 RPM and 43.0 MPH.
It's a little sluggish getting on plane with 4 people on board. I mostly do cruising with just 2 people.
I would like to get an aluminum prop to use when launching, as my lake has rocks at the ramp, and I hate to tear up the stainless prop. The Mercury prop selector has given me Aluminum Black Max 16 x 16p (48-16440A45) and Aluminum Black Max 15 x 17p (48-832828A45).
What would you recommend for an aluminum prop?
Also, do you think the Stainless Mirage I have is right?
