Prop question

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03-16-2018, 10:31 AM
crappiemax

Prop question

I have a 94 Tracker Pro-Deep V 17, it came with a Merc 40 hp when I bought the boat new. The motor started having some issues in 2016 so rather than repair it, I decided to replace it with a new 60hp 4 stroke since the 40 was just too small for that size boat.
Now on to the new motor. As I said it a Merc 60 hp 4 stroke and it came with a Black Max prop 10.5 x 13 aluminum. The boat runs right at 32-34 mph and will max out at right at 6100-6200 RPM. The Merc manual says max rpm 5500-6000 rpm. On a normal day I will usually run at about 4800-5000 rpm.

I've been giving a thought to going to SS but not sure where to begin so Let's say I switched to a SS in the exact same size, what should I expect to happen?
Would I lower the rpm?
Would I get a little more speed?

Thanks in advance for any input.
03-16-2018, 10:52 AM
EFslabs

Generally you would need to drop down in pitch to achieve the same RPM when going from aluminum to SS. Being your intent is to drop RPM anyway, you may want to try the same pitch. Once you get the SS, if it needs fine-tuned send it to Mark at Mark's High Performance Propeller. He can alter the pitch either way. I sent my old Trophy to him (which didn't appear in terrible shape) and got back a perfect looking prop that picked up 6 mph... reasonably priced also. I'd guess your holeshot and top end would improve quite a bit going SS.
03-16-2018, 11:46 AM
Cray

I agree with EF, same size stainless should drop 100-200 rpm which would put you where you need to be and probably gain you 1-2 mph. If it drops rpm to much try raising motor 1 bolt hole on transom.
03-16-2018, 12:22 PM
crappiemax

Thanks guys
So going to a same size SS will drop my rpm just a tad and increase my mph just a tad?
Hole shot is okay right now but I suppose that would improve a little too.
If that's what happens that sounds perfect.

PS Brian (EF)...I was just over at EF Lake and all the ramps are still gated closed so I stopped in the office and they said they are working on getting them open today.
Of course I gave them heck because they should have been open a week ago. Lake is still up 10' but water is very fishable. Maybe we can get out one day soon.
03-16-2018, 08:05 PM
Dutchman

Be sure you can return prop. I bought a ss prop for my 4 stroke , prop chatter was so bad at idle that I had to go back to my aluminum prop. Now I have a 400.00 prop on shelf gathering dust cause I can't return it .
03-20-2018, 01:34 PM
downtime

Quote:

Originally Posted by crappiemax

I have a 94 Tracker Pro-Deep V 17, it came with a Merc 40 hp when I bought the boat new. The motor started having some issues in 2016 so rather than repair it, I decided to replace it with a new 60hp 4 stroke since the 40 was just too small for that size boat.
Now on to the new motor. As I said it a Merc 60 hp 4 stroke and it came with a Black Max prop 10.5 x 13 aluminum. The boat runs right at 32-34 mph and will max out at right at 6100-6200 RPM. The Merc manual says max rpm 5500-6000 rpm. On a normal day I will usually run at about 4800-5000 rpm.

I've been giving a thought to going to SS but not sure where to begin so Let's say I switched to a SS in the exact same size, what should I expect to happen?
Would I lower the rpm?
Would I get a little more speed?

Thanks in advance for any input.

I have that same motor on my(new to me last year) 2013 proteam 75tf, it came with a 10 3/8 x 14 alum 3blade and its running 6000+ so I got did the prop finder on iboats and it put me at 10 3/8 x 14 ss (I wanted a ss). Had issues with the motor when I got it out of storage a few weeks ago so I'm starting out with the alum and going to run the ss when I get to Florida next week. Being ss it should drop the rpm about 250 but lets see and I will post how it does.
03-20-2018, 02:10 PM
SeaRay

I ordered a SS 11" pitch, should be here today . That is a 2" jump from the 9" that came on it. Real curious to see how it runs. Right now the rpms top out at 3/4 throttle.

Hey DT, where in Florida you headed? I'm headed to Okee 1st of April.
03-20-2018, 10:09 PM
crappiemax

Quote:

Originally Posted by downtime

I have that same motor on my(new to me last year) 2013 proteam 75tf, it came with a 10 3/8 x 14 alum 3blade and its running 6000+ so I got did the prop finder on iboats and it put me at 10 3/8 x 14 ss (I wanted a ss). Had issues with the motor when I got it out of storage a few weeks ago so I'm starting out with the alum and going to run the ss when I get to Florida next week. Being ss it should drop the rpm about 250 but lets see and I will post how it does.

I'll be curious what that difference will be going from alum to ss.
03-21-2018, 07:04 AM
downtime

Quote:

Originally Posted by SeaRay

I ordered a SS 11" pitch, should be here today . That is a 2" jump from the 9" that came on it. Real curious to see how it runs. Right now the rpms top out at 3/4 throttle.

Hey DT, where in Florida you headed? I'm headed to Okee 1st of April.

SeaRay, We are staying near Welaka in a condo along the St.Johns the month of April . Camped last year at Rivers Edge RV park and scoped out the area a bit ,just got to keep the wife happy so I can fish. :) (she does some) crappiemax, Will up date on the prop when I run it in Fla.
03-21-2018, 09:08 AM
SeaRay

We stayed in Welaka at Lazy Days RV resort( not the one in Tamapa) a few times with a friend that owned a lot there. Sold our MH a few years ago though.