This gentleman is "The" Prop Guru. I am a pilot and have studied all types of props and the effect pitch has on horsepower, speed, and torque. This guy has forgotten more about the subject than I'll ever know. I've never been acquainted with anyone who understands the mechanics and physics of propellers better. There is no way I'd buy a prop for my boat without watching these two videos again. Fantastic videos! Thanks Tom.
Very cool I been into boating for years and never took the time to learn about propellers I'm VERY GLAD I watched this!!!!!!!!!!! Thank you Tom!!!!!!!!!
This is still one of the best prop selection videos on TH-cam. Thank you for the information. I have an aluminum deep-V 18 foot Smoker Craft Pro Mag 182 (2019). It has a Yamaha F150 with the aluminum 14-1/2 x 17p prop. WOT hits the rev limiter at 6200 RPM. Around 5200 RPM there is a noticeable change in the sound of the motor, as if load is decreased and barely perceptible increase in speed from this point up to the max WOT RPM. It seems like the prop no longer has a water load to push against. I am guessing the aluminum prop is either flattening out or the pitch is too small for the horsepower and it is spinning in the water. Anyway, I am looking for advice on choosing a good propeller for this motor/boat combination. The boat is slightly heavy in the year with a 25 gallon gas tank, 2 batteries, and of course the big 150HP Yamaha. The large live well is also in the back. It is rare for me to carry more than 2 people aboard. It is used primarily for walleye fishing, never for tubing or boarding. I would like to get a bit more speed out of it, but being fast on plane is far more important to me. I don't mind spending the money on SS like a Reliance as long as I am not buying multiples to find the right pitch and diameter. I am also not opposed to going 4 blade for improved whole shot performance if it is necessary.
Love it I'm a first boat owner that has 115 horsepower 6 cylinder Mercury and it will move at 45 mph load it down but my RPM gauge is not work but the motor is screaming
I am planning to put a high trust 4 blades propeller on a 2003 2 stroke 9.9 merc. Solas Amita 4 10x5p. I will be using it as a kicker motor on my 19' aluminum for salmon trolling with a 8 rod spreads. I ignore my actual picth but I can tell you that I need to adjust the throttle speed frequently to achieve my wanted trolling speed especially when the water is choppy. Just wanna reach to see jf you ever seen this type of setup. And thank for our video... very accurate what you said.
There's several boat dealers around here the gene to be backed up 4 months to get any work done on your boat or your motor. And nobody wants to answer your questions. I live in Newark Delaware and there's not a whole lot of kind people in the boating industry. I got more and better information for watching your video then I ever have from any of them guys
Good Video & I think of pitch as gears in a truck, low gear low pitch for power or hole shot, high pitch & High gear for speed. I run several props on my Lowe 1648 Jon boat with a 30hp Johnson if I am fishing by my self I can run a 15 pitch prop if I take my son and wife I run a 14 pitch prop and when I put a Duck blind in 100 decoys Three big guys a dog and guns and hunting gear I need power I run a 12 pitch. Props are cheap Performance is King.
My brother prop on his boat , got stolen he has a Mercury 150 hp outboard four stroke , what prop would be the best for his motor ? I think it was. 2019 -20 any help would be appreciated.
Hi Sir, First of all thumbs up for your informative videos. I am a newbie in watersports and I have bought a Highfield sp390 rib with a 40hp mercury 4 stroke. The motor came with a mercury black max propeller (10 3/4 x 12 " pitch) and at WOT I am hitting almost 6200rpm and getting 32mph. Should I go for a mercury stainless steel 13" propeller ? Would that help reduce rpm and maybe gain some top speed?
Thank you for your informative videos. Appreciate the education. Just getting back into boating after many years and having to relearn a lot about boat/motor and the boat and motor we have now. Our marine mechanic suggested we go from a 15 to a 17 prop. We had no idea what he was talking about or how important it would be to the overall boating performance. After watching both your prop videos; "Be a Hero..." we will be able to determine the best prop for our boat and boating usage to buy appropriately.
I purchased a '92 Lund Tyee 2 fishing boat last year it came with an '89 70hp Johnson motor. The prop on it is 13 3/4"x 15" The manual for this particular motor says it should be 13 1/4"x 17". So I bought it correct prop for it. My question is when I put the new prop on, it will (or should) get me up to plane quicker?? I'm new to the whole boat thing and trying to make this purchase an enjoyable time.
Will a 4 blade benifit me. Have one of the new Bennington RT24 bowrider boats It has a 3 blade 14.5” by 15 prop. It will go 41.5 at 6175 rpm. Hole shot and turning is terrible.
Good job! Very informative. Next time you could do a talk/review the different prop models eg enertia, vengeance, rev4 etc I need to change mine as I have a 20ft maxum cuddy with a mercruiser 5.7efi, currently running a 23p vengeance prop but only getting 4050-4100rpm, so I should need a 21p to get the recommended 4400-4600. My dilemma is do I go for a lazer2, vengeance, highfive or the new enertia?
dunno if anyone gives a damn but if you are stoned like me during the covid times then you can stream all of the new movies and series on instaflixxer. Have been watching with my girlfriend during the lockdown =)
Hurricane 217 Sundeck with a Honda BF130, stainless steel Honda Prop, 13 pitch, 3-blade and runs 5200 rpm at full throttle. Speed is only 25 mph. If I drop to an 11 pitch can I get a little more speed and get closer to the 6000 rpm max at full throttle?
Stainless props are like slicks on a race car that grip and go. Aluminum props are like a tire with a thick sidewall it will Flex and be slower of the line ....
wrong....! alum will holeshot faster because of flex .....like dropping a gear on motorcycle the blade spins easier cause it flexs to a lower pitch making it eaiser to go....stainless holds its pitch like starting in second gear.... top end speed is the win for stainless as it holds true to its shape resulting in more speed on top.
I would like to see a video on what how to size props with adjustable jack plates, set backs, and height of motor, what is the optimum height, and proper rooster tails. I realize this is more for bass and speed boats but feel it would be very helpful as we all feel the need for speed.
there is no blueprint for what works on one boat to the next it all changes from boat to boat and motor to motor ..... testing on each boat is the only way to know what is best there is no perfect prop that works on every boat.... you can take two boats the same style and hp and need two different props to get the best out of each depending on what you want to achieve. tell me what boat what motor and all the important details ,engine height, rpm speed load weight.....it all matters when choosing the prop for your application.
Thank for these 2 videos I’ve watched them both. I just bought a 2018 Crestliner Fishhawk 1650 with a 2019 Mercury 90hp. I won’t be able to pick it up from the dealer until April but I asked for a whole shot prop and they gave me a 15p spitfire aluminum. Motor is not command thrust. I will lighten the boat and see what I get for rpms at wot. Thanks for the help
i have a 2015 crestliner 1650 fishhawk with the 90hp mercury a have a black max 17 pitch prop on it and its only goes to 5000rpm at wot and get 35 mph I am interested to know how yours preforms
Hooo Boy, Sooo I'm down here in North Carolina and my son Jon is starting with ELECTRIC (battery) powered pontoons... Making up his outboard from (ex) Suzuki 15? & 35 lower ends and 30 hp dc brushed industrial motors.. Tom, you & I know time is $, so feel free to turf this off... a 3-5000 rpm motor that has max torque @ stall (0 rpm) ... = high pitch 4 blade prop?? I have to say, you have the BEST explanation of pitch and performance on the net.. As I said, this ma be an area you don't need, but .. we need a brain like yours! Production may be a reality in a year or ... Sooo, can you dope out a prop for us and maybe sell us one or more?
My 2021 Bass Buggy 18 Dlx has a Solas 14 x 11. 60 hp mercury ct. Running 6k wot 6000 rpm at 22 mph. Not worred about hole shot. Would a 14 x 13 increase my top end?
Yes it would. I would switch because you are already at the top of the rev range for that motor. Bigger pitch would bring down the rpm and you’ll gain a few mph
@@TrumpsEarBandage The solas prop that has a 13 pitch has a diameter of 13 3/4. Do you think that will be ok? Will the 1/4 smaller diameter make a difference?
Thanks for all the infos! I think I have a good question for you. I have a 2007 Chaparral 215 SSi Cuddy cabin with a 1,7 mercruser diesel Witch have a 4400rpm red line. the boat weight 3500 pounds and I’m struggling to get 22mph at 4000rpm with a 4 blade 14,5x 17pitch (no name) I try a 3 blade 19pitch oem Mercury but I still need to be at 4000rpm otherwise the boat loose it planning speed… what do you suggest ?
You mentioned the difference in slippage between aluminum and SS. I have a 115 hp Mercury command thrust on a Alumacraft Edge 175. You also mentioned 115 hp below = aluminum, SS = 150 hp. Because of the bigger gears on the CT does it cause more flex and warrant a SS prop? Boat came with black max 15x17, I hit 6200 rpm. Tried a Spitfire 14x19, with 6 people it was too slow. Waiting to try a Spitfire 14x17. Thx
couple questions if I may What year did they start putting the rev limiters in Mercury motors? I have a 1999 trophy Bayliner 125 2 stroke saltwater series Mercury. I don't have an owner's manual for my boat is there somewhere on the motor that tells me the Max RPMs that my motor supposed to be doing? Thanks
I had a 16.5 aluminum with a 75 Merc 2 stroke, it would run 42 mph at 5500 rpm (one person lite equipment) which was great but the boat, a Tracker, was a P.O.S.
I'm running 4800 rpm with my 1998 Mariner 115 at 23 mph 17 pitch prop 21 foot deck boat that's like 35 ,+ % slip how do I get more speed the max rpm is 4800
how did you check speed? the max rpm for that motor is more like 5500.... always be sure motor is putting out full power if it isnt then your test will be useless
This guy is good but this is still just barely scraping the surface. If you really dig into it you'll have things like rake, sweep, cupping, venting etc... and no two propeller brands do things exactly the same. Propeller matching is more art than science honestly. If you're serious about performance the best is nearly always if you can borrow 3-5 props from a local dealer and try them out.
Can you help me? i have an inboard engine Mercury MerCruiser 4.5 liter V6 250 HP Mercury Spitfire 14x19p prop 4 blades my rpm it 4250-4400 It should be between 4800-5200 rpm boat is a Danish POCA 770GR PATROL www.poca.dk/da/badvaerft/badprogram/poca-770/ What propeller do you think I'll get if I go over to stainless steel a erentia ECO 16 * 17 or Revolution 4 14.5x17P (looking for fuel ECO)
You are doing Mercury a "solid" by posting these skillfully and professionally done videos. You would do yourself a better solid if that big banner you have as your backdrop said "Family Marine" instead. Unless, of course, Mercury is cutting you some benefit for you advertising for them instead of yourself.
This gentleman is "The" Prop Guru. I am a pilot and have studied all types of props and the effect pitch has on horsepower, speed, and torque. This guy has forgotten more about the subject than I'll ever know. I've never been acquainted with anyone who understands the mechanics and physics of propellers better. There is no way I'd buy a prop for my boat without watching these two videos again. Fantastic videos! Thanks Tom.
Hi Bob, Thanks, I like YOU!!! LOL
Very good info from a very learned dealer.
The best I have listened to this far
Very cool I been into boating for years and never took the time to learn about propellers I'm VERY GLAD I watched this!!!!!!!!!!! Thank you Tom!!!!!!!!!
This is still one of the best prop selection videos on TH-cam. Thank you for the information. I have an aluminum deep-V 18 foot Smoker Craft Pro Mag 182 (2019). It has a Yamaha F150 with the aluminum 14-1/2 x 17p prop. WOT hits the rev limiter at 6200 RPM. Around 5200 RPM there is a noticeable change in the sound of the motor, as if load is decreased and barely perceptible increase in speed from this point up to the max WOT RPM. It seems like the prop no longer has a water load to push against. I am guessing the aluminum prop is either flattening out or the pitch is too small for the horsepower and it is spinning in the water. Anyway, I am looking for advice on choosing a good propeller for this motor/boat combination. The boat is slightly heavy in the year with a 25 gallon gas tank, 2 batteries, and of course the big 150HP Yamaha. The large live well is also in the back. It is rare for me to carry more than 2 people aboard. It is used primarily for walleye fishing, never for tubing or boarding. I would like to get a bit more speed out of it, but being fast on plane is far more important to me. I don't mind spending the money on SS like a Reliance as long as I am not buying multiples to find the right pitch and diameter. I am also not opposed to going 4 blade for improved whole shot performance if it is necessary.
Love it I'm a first boat owner that has 115 horsepower 6 cylinder Mercury and it will move at 45 mph load it down but my RPM gauge is not work but the motor is screaming
You did a great job this one best video I have ever watched Thank You
I am planning to put a high trust 4 blades propeller on a 2003 2 stroke 9.9 merc. Solas Amita 4 10x5p. I will be using it as a kicker motor on my 19' aluminum for salmon trolling with a 8 rod spreads. I ignore my actual picth but I can tell you that I need to adjust the throttle speed frequently to achieve my wanted trolling speed especially when the water is choppy. Just wanna reach to see jf you ever seen this type of setup. And thank for our video... very accurate what you said.
There's several boat dealers around here the gene to be backed up 4 months to get any work done on your boat or your motor. And nobody wants to answer your questions. I live in Newark Delaware and there's not a whole lot of kind people in the boating industry. I got more and better information for watching your video then I ever have from any of them guys
Very informative!! What do we do if motor didn’t come with a prop? Btw it is a 2022 75 hp Mercury 4 stroke
Good Video & I think of pitch as gears in a truck, low gear low pitch for power or hole shot, high pitch & High gear for speed. I run several props on my Lowe 1648 Jon boat with a 30hp Johnson if I am fishing by my self I can run a 15 pitch prop if I take my son and wife I run a 14 pitch prop and when I put a Duck blind in 100 decoys Three big guys a dog and guns and hunting gear I need power I run a 12 pitch.
Props are cheap Performance is King.
Great video thank you so much 🙏
Hello Tom , we have brand new Suzuki 115Hp on 26ft Pontoon boat what you would recomeded propeller ?
My brother prop on his boat , got stolen he has a Mercury 150 hp outboard four stroke , what prop would be the best for his motor ? I think it was. 2019 -20 any help would be appreciated.
From 3 to 4 blades should I lower my prop pitch i have a bass buggy 60hp CT 18 mph 14x11 blackmax prop, let me know please, thanks.
Hi Sir, First of all thumbs up for your informative videos. I am a newbie in watersports and I have bought a Highfield sp390 rib with a 40hp mercury 4 stroke. The motor came with a mercury black max propeller (10 3/4 x 12 " pitch) and at WOT I am hitting almost 6200rpm and getting 32mph. Should I go for a mercury stainless steel 13" propeller ? Would that help reduce rpm and maybe gain some top speed?
Thank you i understand now i had pontoon i put bass boat motor on the rpm was low i need ed less pitch prop thanks
Thank you for your informative videos. Appreciate the education. Just getting back into boating after many years and having to relearn a lot about boat/motor and the boat and motor we have now. Our marine mechanic suggested we go from a 15 to a 17 prop. We had no idea what he was talking about or how important it would be to the overall boating performance. After watching both your prop videos; "Be a Hero..." we will be able to determine the best prop for our boat and boating usage to buy appropriately.
trust your mechanic!
I purchased a '92 Lund Tyee 2 fishing boat last year it came with an '89 70hp Johnson motor. The prop on it is 13 3/4"x 15" The manual for this particular motor says it should be 13 1/4"x 17". So I bought it correct prop for it. My question is when I put the new prop on, it will (or should) get me up to plane quicker?? I'm new to the whole boat thing and trying to make this purchase an enjoyable time.
How do you adjust for high altitude 3k to 6k ?
Will a 4 blade benifit me. Have one of the new Bennington RT24 bowrider boats
It has a 3 blade 14.5” by 15 prop. It will go 41.5 at 6175 rpm. Hole shot and turning is terrible.
Good job! Very informative. Next time you could do a talk/review the different prop models eg enertia, vengeance, rev4 etc
I need to change mine as I have a 20ft maxum cuddy with a mercruiser 5.7efi, currently running a 23p vengeance prop but only getting 4050-4100rpm, so I should need a 21p to get the recommended 4400-4600. My dilemma is do I go for a lazer2, vengeance, highfive or the new enertia?
brilliant; appreciate & respect the knowledge.
Thank you for all your videos Tom! I wish you were in Marblehead, you would be my guy!!
dunno if anyone gives a damn but if you are stoned like me during the covid times then you can stream all of the new movies and series on instaflixxer. Have been watching with my girlfriend during the lockdown =)
@Zachariah Kendrick yup, been watching on instaflixxer for since december myself :D
Hurricane 217 Sundeck with a Honda BF130, stainless steel Honda Prop, 13 pitch, 3-blade and runs 5200 rpm at full throttle. Speed is only 25 mph. If I drop to an 11 pitch can I get a little more speed and get closer to the 6000 rpm max at full throttle?
Stainless props are like slicks on a race car that grip and go. Aluminum props are like a tire with a thick sidewall it will Flex and be slower of the line ....
wrong....! alum will holeshot faster because of flex .....like dropping a gear on motorcycle the blade spins easier cause it flexs to a lower pitch making it eaiser to go....stainless holds its pitch like starting in second gear....
top end speed is the win for stainless as it holds true to its shape resulting in more speed on top.
I would like to see a video on what how to size props with adjustable jack plates, set backs, and height of motor, what is the optimum height, and proper rooster tails. I realize this is more for bass and speed boats but feel it would be very helpful as we all feel the need for speed.
there is no blueprint for what works on one boat to the next it all changes from boat to boat and motor to motor .....
testing on each boat is the only way to know what is best there is no perfect prop that works on every boat....
you can take two boats the same style and hp and need two different props to get the best out of each depending on what you want to achieve.
tell me what boat what motor and all the important details ,engine height, rpm speed load weight.....it all matters when choosing the prop for your application.
Great info _learned a lot thanks
Where can I find the numbers on my propeller I have a 99 mercury 150 out board
Huge thank you
How do you know the make of propeller?
Thank for these 2 videos I’ve watched them both. I just bought a 2018 Crestliner Fishhawk 1650 with a 2019 Mercury 90hp. I won’t be able to pick it up from the dealer until April but I asked for a whole shot prop and they gave me a 15p spitfire aluminum. Motor is not command thrust. I will lighten the boat and see what I get for rpms at wot. Thanks for the help
i have a 2015 crestliner 1650 fishhawk with the 90hp mercury a have a black max 17 pitch prop on it and its only goes to 5000rpm at wot and get 35 mph I am interested to know how yours preforms
@@jimhimmelman6224 about the same but I get more rpms about 5400
Great video!
Great videos. A question: "For some applications, brass propellers are used, where do they fall in?"
Mostly ships and sail boats, nothing to bother with on an outboard.
competion ski boats and wake boats all use them as well as basically any inboard or v drive.
most are actually brass and nickel mixture called nybral.
@@craigbielsky115 Thanks.
Titanic
Great video
Hooo Boy, Sooo I'm down here in North Carolina and my son Jon is starting with ELECTRIC (battery) powered pontoons... Making up his outboard from (ex) Suzuki 15? & 35 lower ends and 30 hp dc brushed industrial motors.. Tom, you & I know time is $, so feel free to turf this off... a 3-5000 rpm motor that has max torque @ stall (0 rpm) ... = high pitch 4 blade prop?? I have to say, you have the BEST explanation of pitch and performance on the net.. As I said, this ma be an area you don't need, but .. we need a brain like yours! Production may be a reality in a year or ... Sooo, can you dope out a prop for us and maybe sell us one or more?
My 2021 Bass Buggy 18 Dlx has a Solas 14 x 11. 60 hp mercury ct. Running 6k wot 6000 rpm at 22 mph. Not worred about hole shot. Would a 14 x 13 increase my top end?
Yes it would. I would switch because you are already at the top of the rev range for that motor. Bigger pitch would bring down the rpm and you’ll gain a few mph
@@TrumpsEarBandage The solas prop that has a 13 pitch has a diameter of 13 3/4. Do you think that will be ok? Will the 1/4 smaller diameter make a difference?
Thanks for all the infos! I think I have a good question for you. I have a 2007 Chaparral 215 SSi Cuddy cabin with a 1,7 mercruser diesel
Witch have a 4400rpm red line. the boat weight 3500 pounds and I’m struggling to get 22mph at 4000rpm with a 4 blade 14,5x 17pitch (no name) I try a 3 blade 19pitch oem Mercury but I still need to be at 4000rpm otherwise the boat loose it planning speed… what do you suggest ?
Would need to know the gear ratio but I'm sure those engine were designed to only just plane
@@lachlanoneil8938 gear is 2.0….. thanks
Your boat has over 30% slip if slip was normal and you used a 15 pitch at 4400 rpm it would go around 27 mph and plane out alot faster.
Sometimes slip is high BC your pitch is wrong so try 15
You mentioned the difference in slippage between aluminum and SS. I have a 115 hp Mercury command thrust on a Alumacraft Edge 175. You also mentioned 115 hp below = aluminum, SS = 150 hp. Because of the bigger gears on the CT does it cause more flex and warrant a SS prop? Boat came with black max 15x17, I hit 6200 rpm. Tried a Spitfire 14x19, with 6 people it was too slow. Waiting to try a Spitfire 14x17. Thx
did you hit 6200 with 6 people and the 15x17 black max? what rpm did you get with the 14x19 and 6 people?
couple questions if I may What year did they start putting the rev limiters in Mercury motors? I have a 1999 trophy Bayliner 125 2 stroke saltwater series Mercury. I don't have an owner's manual for my boat is there somewhere on the motor that tells me the Max RPMs that my motor supposed to be doing? Thanks
google
The solas is s/s.
Great information!!
I can’t find the hill to go down hill lol
LOL
Water Fall somewhere I guess!
I had a 16.5 aluminum with a 75 Merc 2 stroke, it would run 42 mph at 5500 rpm (one person lite equipment) which was great but the boat, a Tracker, was a P.O.S.
i have a mercury thunderbolt 500 50hp whats the prop to get top speed?
on what boat with what weight with what gear .... cant answer that without more info....is it on a rowboat or a houseboat?
Tachometer installed is step 1
I'm running 4800 rpm with my 1998 Mariner 115 at 23 mph 17 pitch prop 21 foot deck boat that's like 35 ,+ % slip how do I get more speed the max rpm is 4800
how did you check speed? the max rpm for that motor is more like 5500.... always be sure motor is putting out full power if it isnt then your test will be useless
I've got a 1999 Mariah z212 with a 5.7 what is a good all around stainless prop? Pitch etc.
vengence and mirage 17 19 pitch....
This guy is good but this is still just barely scraping the surface. If you really dig into it you'll have things like rake, sweep, cupping, venting etc... and no two propeller brands do things exactly the same. Propeller matching is more art than science honestly. If you're serious about performance the best is nearly always if you can borrow 3-5 props from a local dealer and try them out.
99 out of 100 dont need to know those things k.i.s.s.
Can you help me?
i have an inboard engine
Mercury MerCruiser 4.5 liter V6 250 HP
Mercury Spitfire 14x19p prop 4 blades
my rpm it 4250-4400
It should be between 4800-5200 rpm
boat is a Danish POCA 770GR
PATROL
www.poca.dk/da/badvaerft/badprogram/poca-770/
What propeller do you think I'll get if I go over to stainless steel
a erentia ECO 16 * 17 or Revolution 4 14.5x17P (looking for fuel ECO)
I would go 16 in stainless
You are doing Mercury a "solid" by posting these skillfully and professionally done videos. You would do yourself a better solid if that big banner you have as your backdrop said "Family Marine" instead. Unless, of course, Mercury is cutting you some benefit for you advertising for them instead of yourself.