Propellers for your boat: An in depth discussion

Welcome back as always,
Today I delve into the hard and sometimes difficult to decipher topic of propellers and how to choose the best one for your boat. While I will not be providing you any particular size for your specific boat (way too many variables to recommend one accurately, and blindly) I will be providing you with some valuable info and insight on what you need to know in order to make a well informed decision and how to make the decision accurately and decisively correct THE FIRST TIME. Let me help save you some money on your next purchase and prevent you spending more than you need to by arming you with the knowledge you need to make a more accurate and well informed decision. This is a long video, but I promise it is well worth it.
I realize that I may not have covered all of the subtopics regarding propellers, but given how many factors affect the way they perform and the way they fit, construction, material, etc., it is impossible for me to discuss everything there is to know about them all within a reasonable timeframe. So if you have any questions about them that I did NOT cover in this video. Please feel free to ask in the comments section below!
If you would like my assistance in choosing the right size propeller for your outboard, even if it is not within the 1.0 liter class that I normally make these videos on, I would be more than happy to help you. Feel free to shoot me a comment in the comments section down below and we'll get to work. The more information you give me from the jump, the better.
Lets get you out there!
If you enjoyed this video and/ or found it helpful, please subscribe as there will be more rolling out. I am ALWAYS open for suggestions on what videos to make next, so please drop me a comment in the comments section.
Follow my IG: extremeboating for more information on mods, and more frequent posting.
Resources:
- Mercury Prop Selector page
www.mercurymari...
- Mercury Prop Slip Calculator
www.mercuryrac...
- Custom Propeller Modifications
www.marksprops....
- Access to props and more advice (Ken is a FANTASTIC resource)
propgods.com/

[@markschonscheck]

Thanks for the help

[@scottsasanecki4106]

Great stuff. I have a 15ft Logic boat which was bought out by Triumph. I recently put a 50hp suzuki on it switching from old 2 stroke 50hp Johnson. I hit 32mph but with another person in the boat I can't get on plane unless he sits in front or i stand up and lean forward for a while. I have the standard aluminum prop they suggested. I want to remedy this and make this my saltwater boat. Guide me sir and let me know what to do.

[@extremeboating7347]

From what I can see, that is a deep V style boat right? Fiberglass or tin hull? I need to know what RPM you are at. Are those speeds GPS confirmed? Also, do you have a 3 or 4 blade prop? I don't know enough about that hull to know if it is a bow or stern lifter. Any additional insight you can give me about the rig can help me guide you through this a little better, including the current prop pitch.

[@markschonscheck]

Have a 2015 Ranger 520z Comanche with Mercury ProXS 250, have 4 blade fury 4 24 pitch but looking for something to get out of hole better when full of gas and water in livewell, but not loose a lot of speed. Bravo or Revolution?

[@extremeboating7347]

Rev4 is supposed to be the 4 blade variant of the Tempest Plus and is supposed to be the best performer for holeshot according to Mercury. Bravo was not even a mention so I'd be most inclined to believe their recommendations. As a disclaimer: I do say that I have an unfamiliarity with all the different choices and variety of props that the larger outboards have and offer over their smaller, lower HP counterparts so take what I'm saying with a grain of salt. I currently run a Tempest Plus 14.xx X 22 pitch on my 115HP ProXS CT outboard but have not gotten the chance yet to give it a spin on the water. Since you are looking for absolute holeshot, if I were you, I would ensure that transom angle is absolutely optimized by measuring it first to see if it is 17 degrees. If it is not, wedges along with your jackplate are in order and those alone could net you as much if not more than as 1 full second off of your holeshot time. While not fully loaded, if you are looking for top speed while still great holeshot performance. I would actually recommend you look into Michigan Wheel Ballistic XHS 4 blade props. They do not come with PVS holes, but are priced MUCH cheaper than Mercury brand props and have stellar reviews all over the net. Beautiful looking props. If that is a route you are considering in the future. I would most definitely add PVS holes to it. Mark Cruxton at Cruxton prop services can add those on for you for relatively cheap.

[@anonimous596]

thanks for the video but what are pvs holes? why add them? and is there an equivalency for SS vs aluminum - I know it depends on a few things lest assume tracker 170 (because that is what I have) but lets say for example I have a black max at 10.5 x 13 (the stock prop) and Im happy.... but I want a SS which is the same? the vengeance 3 blade one ---on the R in the video at same pitch? and as close diameter as possible? why does tracker put the 14 p on a XL and a 13p on the 170? why would they choose that since the hulls are pretty much the same? there's about 100lbs difference between the two boats with the 170 being slightly heavier so you'd think it would get the 14p prop but for some reason tracker uses different props for the same 50hp -why? thanks a lot - Im anew owner and trying to learn about all of this. but key takeaway: I learned that im buying mercury props only. but I do want to find a SS equivalent to the stock

[@extremeboating7347]

I couldn't tell you why Tracker is underpitching their 50 HP Mercury motors on their Pro 170 models. The possibility exists that since it is the Pro model they anticipate that you will be loading this thing down with weight right from the getgo, but I can tell you that they are pitched wrong otherwise, like entirely. I see this question come up a lot as a matter of fact so don't think you are the only one asking. The current 13 pitch Blackmax that is being run on the Pro 170's is too hot and will cause you to be over the powerband range, probably putting you somewhere around 6100-6200. To immediately rectify that issue you need to pitch it up to a 14 pitch Blackmax. Now, switching aluminum out to stainless is a different story and will probably require you stay with a 13 pitch. I have not attempted to size a stainless prop for a 50 HP version of this motor yet but it is not hard for me. If you want to make the switch to stainless, let me know and I'd be happy to help you. We can take it as far as you are willing to go with it if you want max performance out of it or we can keep it budget friendly if you want to stay on the cheaper spectrum of things. PVS holes are a custom made thing on these smaller props (they don't come this way out of the box like the larger outboard props do) and the only reason why I got them done was to narrow the holeshot time between the 3 blade and 4 blade prop. I wanted my cake and I wanted to eat it too, and it was a mod that wound up working out so I'm very happy with the positive change that getting them done brought me. The holes allow the prop to spin up faster and aerate a little bit to allow you to rev harder which will speed up your overall holeshot time.

[@anonimous596]

@@extremeboating7347 thanks -- I just ordered the 10 3/8 14p black max from amazon (they have free shipping) because I do run over 6k rpm at wot - seemed to fast to me so Ive only rarely done it and only for a few seconds at a time. my boat is new only about 25 hrs so far so im trying to be gentle. sounds like I should swap for the 14p when it gets here and make the stock 13p my spare. it really is weird that tracker chose the 13p for the 170 and 14p for the XL since they are pretty much the same boat. Im very happy with my speed and takeoff as is I get to 35- 37 mph now - plenty for this little boat it aint gonna win races no matter what. Yes if you could, I would like help choosing a SS prop, budget is important I dont need max speed / hole shot etc a good balance between the two is my goal and like I said, im very happy with performance as it is now. its my first boat and it meets my needs takes off pretty well and 35 mph is fast enough if I can keep at least the same performance or even a little better that is good enough for me. I fish alone most of the time, im about 200lbs I did add a 3rd battery in back so about 120 lbs of trolling batteries plus the starting one my engine is the 50hp and its a 2022 what else is relevant to choosing a SS prop for my boat???? are quick silver and mercury the same thing? thanks again ive learned a lot

[@extremeboating7347]

When you get your 14 pitch prop I want you to run it at max and record what the max RPM is at wide open throttle and what the top speed is. That speed will need to be GPS confirmed, the mph gauge is inaccurate. Nothing else is really relevant when main the switch. Mercury and Quicksilver are the same thing by the way. I forgot to state that in the video.

[@anonimous596]

@@extremeboating7347 when I do these test runs - trim all the way down for consistency ok? the 14 p wont be here for about a week

[@extremeboating7347]

No, I'm going to want your final numbers at full trim and full speed. I'm actually going to assume you will be right around 5950-6000 RPM.