Prop Choice for Larson Flyer 166

[LARSONFLYER]

I have a Larson Flyer 166. The boat is 15' 11" long and is equipped with a 90hp mercury ELPTO.

I am not sure what pitch prop is on it now but it is an aluminum one.

If I get it trimmed out and them turn sometimes it looses it catch and i am forced to trim it down. Also, the boat bounces unless the motor is trimmed all the way down until i get over 30 mph and then i can start trimming it up.

Do you think my pitch is to high or would getting a stainless prop help me out? I noticed that there is room to drop the enitr motor down one hole. Would that make any difference?

 

[steelespike]

Re: Prop Choice for Larson Flyer 166

Your prop size should be under the prop nut.
Its not unusual to have to trim down for turns.
If you read the stickys at the top of the prop forum and get us as much info as possible
we can tell better about your setup.
Usually the higher the motor is the better. Less drag.Prop selection can help with venting"losing catch" problems.

 

[jestor68]

Re: Prop Choice for Larson Flyer 166

If the motor is mounted fairly high on the transom, the aluminum prop is probably having trouble maintaining grip in a turn. Aluminum props generally don't do too well with higher mounting heights. They tend to ventilate too much.

Is there is room to lower the motor, that would be a solution if you intend to continue with the aluminum prop.

Another(more costly) solution would be to put a Mercury Laser II SS prop on there. It will be suited to higher operating height and grip better under all conditions. A boost in speed can be expected also.

The proper pitch will depend upon what pitch/rpm you're getting now at full throttle.

A low angle photo of your boat's motor height would aid in recommending a course of action.

 

[LARSONFLYER]

Re: Prop Choice for Larson Flyer 166

Thanks for the replies.

I was leaning on switching to a stainless prop in the first place.

It runs about 45-47 mph now and my rpm guage reads around 6k at full speed.

I will look into the laser II. Any other suggestions on prop brands?

I will reply a low angle picture as well as my current prop pitch

Thanks

 

[jestor68]

Re: Prop Choice for Larson Flyer 166

What year is the motor? Classic or Optimax?

They have different rpm ranges. Neither one goes to 6000 rpm.

Classic is 5500. Optimax is 5750.

The Quicksilver Light Speed is the same prop as the Mercury Laser.

It's a little less ($100+) expensive, since the Mercury Laser can only be purchased from an authorized Mercury dealer.

My third choice would be a Solas HR Titan.

 

[jbacc11]

Re: Prop Choice for Larson Flyer 166

I have the same boat and it is a 1996. It has a Johnson 112 on it. It does the same thing. I have done a lot of research on the boat and it tends to do exactly what you are referring to. We run the boat with the motor trimmed all the way down most of the time. I can trim it up a little when I go faster but as soon as I hit a bump the boat starts to bounce and I am forced to trim it back down. Part of the problem is that the boat is very light and with the weight of the engine and the fact that the gas tank is in the very back of the boat this causes the front to rise. If you change the prop and it helps let me know. I love the boat but that issue is really annoying. If you get a chance post a picture of your boat.