Volvo sx drive ss prop selection

[mcurcio1989]

Long story short we have finally decided to go stainless after spending way to much time and money having dings and bent blades repaired on aluminum props. The boat is a 2000 four winns horizon 180 with the volvo 5.0 GL engine with sx outdrive. It is used primarily for watersports as well as cruising (almost never run at wot). We're not as concerned with performance as much as just having a reliable propeller (our dock and channel is kind of a marginal depth with a mucky bottom so small sticks and what not in the muddy bottom seems to wreak havoc on aluminum props).

Going through Mercuries propeller selection guide they recommend a 16in pitch prop and it sounds like for our budget and usage, the vengeance will be a good fit (not looking to break the bank anyways). I do not think they offer that in a 16 in pitch so it is either 15 or 17 I am thinking I'll go 17 (mercury P/N 16314A46) as I believe I am running 19 or 20 right now, so I am thinking the 17 ss should be fairly comparable. It is a 14.5 in Dia. I know I will have to buy a flo torq hub (P/N 835270Q1) for it to fit my drive.

The question is does this all sounds like it makes sense? We have always replaced props in kind so this is new to me. Is their anyone out their running a similar setup? Any concern with how this will fit on my drive? Mercury recommended this prop for the drive but I don't know how much I should trust their program. Thanks in advance for any advice and recommendations.

 

[Slip Away]

Re: Volvo sx drive ss prop selection

From the Four Winns board:

Engine/drive make, model, year, and HP
VP 4.3GLPEFS, VP SX Outdrive, 2000 model year/190HP, 1.66:1 gear ratio
Boat make model, year, length and weight
Four Winns Horizon 180LE, 2001, 18ft, 2500#
Well, think I found my prop.

Apollo XHS 14.5 X21p 3 blade SS.

Worked for him, even though he had the V6. My thoughts are a 19p rather than 21p, Assume you want 3-blade.
Also, order a second hub kit, you will need it as many props as you say have been damaged.

 

[mcurcio1989]

Re: Volvo sx drive ss prop selection

Thanks for the advice on the hub, now that you say it we may have a 21p on their now.

I guess my main area of concern is that while the mercury selector advises to use these props based off of their pitch and what not I have a feeling they do not take into consideration the size of the gearcase. I have not measured mine (will tonight) but I believe it is 4 3/4" dia and I believe most mercury's are 4 3/8" dia but this is based off of unreliable interenet sources.

what four winns board did you pull that from? is it on iboats or another forum. . .that would prly be a good place to ask.

Also I feel very comfortable with the drive protection that mercury's flo torq hubs offer but I don't really know anything about other manufacturers such as Michigan wheel. Any experience with them would be comforting.

 

[Slip Away]

Re: Volvo sx drive ss prop selection

PM sent....

 

[Tail_Gunner]

Re: Volvo sx drive ss prop selection

ESSENTIAL DATA REQUIRED
When posting a question about propellers, you cannot get a reasonable answer unless you provide the following information in your post: Items 1-4 are essential for meaningful response to most questions.
1) Performance issue you are trying to correct.
2) Current prop manufacturer, model, aluminum or stainless as a minimum.
3) Current prop diameter and pitch (required).
4) Wide open throttle RPM and speed with an average load (very helpful)
5) Engine/drive make, model, year, and HP
6) Boat make model, year, length and weight

Post the gearing on the outdrive that is by far more important than diameter.

Both Solas and Stiletto are top performing prop's.

 

[jlmccoy16]

Re: Volvo sx drive ss prop selection

I have a VP 5.0 GL SX drive on my 99 Regal 2100 LSR, with a 14.25" x 23"pitch aluminum 3 blade prop. I am running 4700 rpm at WOT and about 53mph with two passengers. Hole shot is sluggish, and I am pulling tubes and skis. Thinking about going to a SS 14" x 21" pitch 4 blade. Does anyone have an opinion on if that would be a good fit?

 

[jestor68]

Re: Volvo sx drive ss prop selection

Here are the numbers I ran thru the Merc selector:

Dry weight=2580+500+35gal= 3279 total weight.

That weight with a 5.0GL(220hp) with 1.51 gear ration recommends a 14.5 X 17 Vengeance prop, and says it'll do 4700 rpm @ 46 mph(=8% slip). With a rpm range of 4400-4800, that props you good for water sports.

How does that compare with what you're running now?

Posting what some other guy does with his boat that has a different motor and gear ratio is really not all that helpful. :facepalm:

Since you're doing a fair amount of water sports, you might consider a 4 blade 17 for better pulling power, speed holding, and a grip that just won't let go.

 

[jestor68]

Re: Volvo sx drive ss prop selection

I have a VP 5.0 GL SX drive on my 99 Regal 2100 LSR, with a 14.25" x 23"pitch aluminum 3 blade prop. I am running 4700 rpm at WOT and about 53mph with two passengers. Hole shot is sluggish, and I am pulling tubes and skis. Thinking about going to a SS 14" x 21" pitch 4 blade. Does anyone have an opinion on if that would be a good fit?

Please start you own thread, so things don't get confusing concerning what boat we're talking about. Always try to be as specific as possible concerning what brand, size, material of prop we're talking about; because all props are not created equal.

 

[Slip Away]

Re: Volvo sx drive ss prop selection

Posting what some other guy does with his boat that has a different motor and gear ratio is really not all that helpful. :facepalm:

Really ? The "unhelpful" post lead the OP to a brand specific site, where he seems to have gotten his answer.

 

[joelmatt89]

Re: Volvo sx drive ss prop selection

Here are the numbers I ran thru the Merc selector:

Dry weight=2580+500+35gal= 3279 total weight.

That weight with a 5.0GL(220hp) with 1.51 gear ration recommends a 14.5 X 17 Vengeance prop, and says it'll do 4700 rpm @ 46 mph(=8% slip). With a rpm range of 4400-4800, that props you good for water sports.

How does that compare with what you're running now?

Posting what some other guy does with his boat that has a different motor and gear ratio is really not all that helpful. :facepalm:

Since you're doing a fair amount of water sports, you might consider a 4 blade 17 for better pulling power, speed holding, and a grip that just won't let go.

I am his brother... I can add a little info. What we are runnning now is a 14.25 x 21 prop, that 14.5 x 17 is what the program is telling me as well. I am just hesitant to jump down 4" of pitch

ESSENTIAL DATA REQUIRED
When posting a question about propellers, you cannot get a reasonable answer unless you provide the following information in your post: Items 1-4 are essential for meaningful response to most questions.
1) Performance issue you are trying to correct.
2) Current prop manufacturer, model, aluminum or stainless as a minimum.
3) Current prop diameter and pitch (required).
4) Wide open throttle RPM and speed with an average load (very helpful)
5) Engine/drive make, model, year, and HP
6) Boat make model, year, length and weight

Post the gearing on the outdrive that is by far more important than diameter.

Both Solas and Stiletto are top performing prop's.

1) Performance issue you are trying to correct: The boat maxes out at 4200 rpm and 38 mph, it should be doing 5000 rpm and 50 mph. Also the big thing is we are constantly running dinged up aluminum props which seem to get a ding from the smallest of branches etc.
2) Current prop manufacturer, model, aluminum or stainless as a minimum: Current prop is a michigan model #27440 it is aluminum
3) Current prop diameter and pitch (required): 14.25 x 21
4) Wide open throttle RPM and speed with an average load (very helpful): 4200 rpm 38 mph
5) Engine/drive make, model, year, and HP: 5.0 GL Volvo V8, SX Sterndrive, 1999
6) Boat make model, year, length and weight: Four Winns Horizon, 1999, 18 foot, four winns says it is 2900 lbs


Any help is appreciated here, I seem to be getting mixed information What mercury is saying seems like a very low pitch. I read of someone running a 14.25 x 19 on a 20' horizon with the fuel injected 5.0L volvo and they got good results how comparable do you think this is?

 

[Slip Away]

Re: Volvo sx drive ss prop selection

27440 Is not a Michigan Wheel propeller number.
Michigan Vortex 14.25 x 21p 3-blade alum is part # 992005
Michigan Match 14.25 x 21p 3-blade aluminum is part # 161004

If you go to SS I suggest a Michigan Wheel 3 blade Apollo, Part # 993044 14-1/8 x 19p
Or to keep the cost down, and go to a 4-blade Aluminum, Michigan Vortex 14 x 20p part# 992204

That's my 2 cents....

 

[joelmatt89]

Re: Volvo sx drive ss prop selection

27440 Is not a Michigan Wheel propeller number.
Michigan Vortex 14.25 x 21p 3-blade alum is part # 992005
Michigan Match 14.25 x 21p 3-blade aluminum is part # 161004

If you go to SS I suggest a Michigan Wheel 3 blade Apollo, Part # 993044 14-1/8 x 19p
Or to keep the cost down, and go to a 4-blade Aluminum, Michigan Vortex 14 x 20p part# 992204

That's my 2 cents....

OK, I just copied that part number from a website... maybe that was a hub number. But I know it is the vortex.

Thanks for the advice I think one of those two is probably what we will end up purchasing... the 4 blade will be better all around performance with less efficiency, correct? Really what we are looking for is something that will not get dinged quite as easily and if possible maybe save some cash at the pump. The hole shot and pull is fine right now we have no issues getting out of the water. Obviously if it had more hole shot that is a plus but we don't want to sacrifice mpg's for power.

 

[Slip Away]

Re: Volvo sx drive ss prop selection

Based on that, the Apollo in Stainless will be the most durable and have the hole shot you require.

 

[joelmatt89]

Re: Volvo sx drive ss prop selection

Based on that, the Apollo in Stainless will be the most durable and have the hole shot you require.

Well I ordered the apollo I will let you know how it works out. Thanks for the help.

 

[Tail_Gunner]

Re: Volvo sx drive ss prop selection

I am his brother... I can add a little info. What we are runnning now is a 14.25 x 21 prop, that 14.5 x 17 is what the program is telling me as well. I am just hesitant to jump down 4" of pitch



1) Performance issue you are trying to correct: The boat maxes out at 4200 rpm and 38 mph, it should be doing 5000 rpm and 50 mph. Also the big thing is we are constantly running dinged up aluminum props which seem to get a ding from the smallest of branches etc.
2) Current prop manufacturer, model, aluminum or stainless as a minimum: Current prop is a michigan model #27440 it is aluminum
3) Current prop diameter and pitch (required): 14.25 x 21
4) Wide open throttle RPM and speed with an average load (very helpful): 4200 rpm 38 mph
5) Engine/drive make, model, year, and HP: 5.0 GL Volvo V8, SX Sterndrive, 1999
6) Boat make model, year, length and weight: Four Winns Horizon, 1999, 18 foot, four winns says it is 2900 lbs


Any help is appreciated here, I seem to be getting mixed information What mercury is saying seems like a very low pitch. I read of someone running a 14.25 x 19 on a 20' horizon with the fuel injected 5.0L volvo and they got good results how comparable do you think this is?

BY the number's 21p@4200 w 1.5 gearing 38 mph gets 32% slip..seem's that 220 cant push the 21p on a 180...makes sense if it reached WOT your wot would be 59 mph with 10% slip....If that was a 4 bl unit about 250 you would be close.

21p gets 42
20p gets 44
19p gets 46
18p gets 48

So let's play with 18..that nets 50 drop.. 200 for stainless yep 17 and MW is known for being a great pusher.

 

[joelmatt89]

Re: Volvo sx drive ss prop selection

BY the number's 21p@4200 w 1.5 gearing 38 mph gets 32% slip..seem's that 220 cant push the 21p on a 180...makes sense if it reached WOT your wot would be 59 mph with 10% slip....If that was a 4 bl unit about 250 you would be close.

21p gets 42
20p gets 44
19p gets 46
18p gets 48

So let's play with 18..that nets 50 drop.. 200 for stainless yep 17 and MW is known for being a great pusher.

So what specs are you recommending then? If we are still not getting good numbers the website I ordered from allows returns so I will probably return and try a lower pitch... if I am reading your reply correctly you are recommending a 17 pitch??

 

[mcurcio1989]

Re: Volvo sx drive ss prop selection

We got the Michigan wheel Apollo 3 blade 14.125 x 19p. Couldnt be happier, with the hub and shipping it was only $300. The boat handles like a totally new creature. It is so much smoother both at low idle speeds and under acceleration (I honestly don't think the guys doing my prop repair were balancing them at all). The hole shot is definitely improved and it can handle way harder turns without cavitating. Prly the coolest part is that were getting very close to 50mph now. I would have a hard time getting 40mph before. Thanks for the advice here guys - def what we were looking for as far as an overall good performer for a reasonable price.

 

[bmac417]

Re: Volvo sx drive ss prop selection

I have a VP 5.0 GL SX drive on my 99 Regal 2100 LSR, with a 14.25" x 23"pitch aluminum 3 blade prop. I am running 4700 rpm at WOT and about 53mph with two passengers. Hole shot is sluggish, and I am pulling tubes and skis. Thinking about going to a SS 14" x 21" pitch 4 blade. Does anyone have an opinion on if that would be a good fit?

I have 99 2100 lsr with a 19pitch ss 4blade prop on it...hole shot is awesome...runs 30 at 3000rpm and 55 wot!

 

[Slip Away]

Re: Volvo sx drive ss prop selection

Glad the Apollo worked out so well for you. I had a feeling it would be a good fit for your needs.