Some prop advice

[bostonpilot]

Hi All, I am looking for some advice in an area that I don't feel that I have enough experience to make a call. I have a 1991 15hp Mercury Mariner 2 cyl/2 stroke motor (ser. # OCxxxx series) on a 25 ft, sailboat that displaces ~4500lb, and has ~2500lb of ballast in the keel.

I'm finishing up the winter service and repair punchlist and got thinking about the prop. The guy I bought the boat from was pretty much mechanically clueless, so I have zero faith that the prop on the motor is appropriate for the vessel. Also, it is rather pitted from corrosion (the former owner couldn't be bothered with replacing zincs). That being said, its a sailbaot not a ski boat, and the motor moves her along.

I've been seriously considering replacing the prop before I relaunch this spring. Unfortunately, the mfg part number on the hub is not readable due to some of the pitting. From a search of the literature, I see that there are a number of pitch options spec'd for this motor, primarily a 9 x 9 or a 9 3/4 x 6 1/2.

My questions are:

1 - A reasonable way to determine what's on the motor now? ( Just measure dia? A better solution?)
2 - The best choice for a replacement pitch? (Based on my airplane experience, I am assuming the 6 1/2)
3 - Economical prop vendors?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Some prop advice

The answers are: 1) yes, 2) probably, and 3) right here on iBoats. Click the MARINE STORE button right under the iBoats.com logo at the top of the page. Scroll down to Propellers and then enter your engine year, manufacturer, and HP and you will be presented with a list of props.