Pontoon Prop?

[Three]

I have a '02 18ft Suntracker with a 75 hp Mercury 2 stroke. I want to put a stainless prop on it. Someone told me I need a "pontoon prop". This isn't my first boat but it is my first pontoon boat. The prop on it now is an aluminum 13 3/4 x 15p. Solas Titan has the same size prop in stainless. Any reason why this wouldn't work. Thanks for your input.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Pontoon Prop?

Install a four blade pontoon prop and be done with the speculation. You are pushing a barge, not a planing hull. Pontoon props have large, roundish blades of relatively uniform shape. The provide more push than standard props and they work much better in reverse which you will appreciate when performing docking manuevers. The 75 HP Merc lower unit is the same lower unit used on the 40/50/60 HP Merc Big Foot. A 14x11P Merc pontoon prop is the prop of choice but with 75 HP you might be able to twist a 12 or 13P.

 

[artistwood]

Re: Pontoon Prop?

OK, thought i would bite the bullet and ask.....I have a 1988 Party Hut 28' with a 115 Mercury inline 6. I have no idea what prop is on it but i guess it's the origional. Could someone please tell me the best prop to use. I would like to go to the 4 blade stainless to cut down on vibration but have no idea what would work best with this boat. Also need to the best way to protect against someone helping themselves to the stainless prop. Yhey have a habit of disappearing around here. Any help is appreciated......Thanks......Bear

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Pontoon Prop?

You just jumped into someone elses post. Start your own so we have a little better chance of keeping on track. Some threads get to be very long and we don't need to have a bunch of non-related information screwing us up.

But since you are here, with absolutely no performance data with the existing prop, no idea what load you normally carry, what the existing prop is, and what the wide open throttle speed and engine rpm is we don't have a clue. There is no such thing as a "standard" prop. Read the sticky at the very top of the prop forum titled "Read This First".

 

[steelespike]

Re: Pontoon Prop?

Under these circumstances the only way to determine the best prop is with a base line performance with your present prop.
We need; Prop size,usually on the barrel or under the prop nut.Present max rpm and speed with a light load.best way to avoid theft is to remove the prop.
RPM range for the 115 is 5,000 to 5,500.

 

[artistwood]

Re: Pontoon Prop?

You just jumped into someone elses post. Start your own so we have a little better chance of keeping on track. Some threads get to be very long and we don't need to have a bunch of non-related information screwing us up.

But since you are here, with absolutely no performance data with the existing prop, no idea what load you normally carry, what the existing prop is, and what the wide open throttle speed and engine rpm is we don't have a clue. There is no such thing as a "standard" prop. Read the sticky at the very top of the prop forum titled "Read This First".

boat isn't on the water yet. just bought it so i have no way of knowing what the rpm of the motor is at WOT. As this is my first pontoon, i don't know where all the numbers are. i thought(mistakenly it seems) that someone else might have the same boat with some history. apparently not. the prop is damaged so i wanted to put on a new one but thought i would ask for advice. i got sarcasim instead...
i was not trying to "hijack a post" and i can read.

If this is what i can expect from the people on this forum, forget it. i have been reading for awhile and thought there was a potential for friends and some much needed help......wrong....

sorry i asked........and for silvertip.....you need some serious work on your people skills

 

[steelespike]

Re: Pontoon Prop?

Why in the world would you leave because of a minor rebuff.
I for one and many others are here to help folks with problems.
I care and so do many others.It takes me forever to answer a post and I try to be as accurate as possible.There are many here with lots of knowledge
about props and look forward to solving problems for posters.
If I came across as putting you down I'm sorry.I am only trying to make it clear what we need to solve your Q as well as possible.Prop selection is critical for the performance and health of your motor.It is intirely possible that identical setups may end up with different props and any recomendations based only on similar setups should be considered starting points not a solution. Please look passed any snubs and we will be happy to try to solve your problems.Keep in mind we are only fellow boaters some with full time jobs trying to further your success in boating.Unfortunately there are sometimes some grumps you will run into just ignore and move on
there is a lot of knowledge here.I'm still learning and I've been boating for 60 years.