Prop Recommedations for a '65 50 HP Mercury

[sfryz]

I purchased a 15' fiberglass boat last year with an old 50 HP Merc that has a 2 blade brass prop. The engine runs fine but takes for ever to get the boat on plane. With 3 people in the boat I have to have myself and 1 of the passengers lean over the windshield to get the boat out of the water! I was wondering if a doelfin hydrofoil or a different prop (3 blade?) would help.<br /><br />Any thoughts?

 

[steelespike]

Re: Prop Recommedations for a '65 50 HP Mercury

The fin will definately help.It will get you on plane easier and stay on plane at a lower rpm.<br /> It will lower top speed a little but youll hardly notice.<br /> Weight distribution and motor trim is important as well.<br /> I have the same motor I was told in 65 it was the best motor Merc. or anyone else had built to<br />that point.

 

[Chinewalker]

Re: Prop Recommedations for a '65 50 HP Mercury

I have to disagree with Spike's recommendation on this one... I would go for a different prop. Something with a little less pitch, and preferably 3-blades. They turn up on eBay all the time. You want one with 11-splines, as they changed the propshaft around 1970-1971 and a later prop won't work. If you look at your existing prop, if it's a Mercury-made prop, it'll have the pitch on it somewhere. There should be a jumble of numbers, starting with 48-****** then a dash, and a number. The last number will be the pitch. Your brass 2-blade is probably a speed prop (13 or 15-pitch). Dropping down 2-inches would be ideal...<br />- Scott

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: Prop Recommedations for a '65 50 HP Mercury

sfryz <br /><br />Chinewalker & Steelespike are both correct in that order. You need to get a 3 blade prop on there to have a chance of the boat planing correctly and after that a fin will definitly help with the hole shot. The Prop selector recommends a 10" X 10" 3 blade 11 Spline Prop for your Mark 50 motor(Michigan Part # 032077). That 2 blade won't get it at take-off!