Just when I thought it was safe to buy a prop
 

OK, I can't see going beyond a 17P SS 3 blade. Double cup, wide(er)
blades, maybe down 1/2" in diameter at most.

If you can get to a popular anchoring spot in season & strike up
conversations on props, you may find some folks who would like to try
your prop & your spare, and you theirs. I'm assuming your an
Alpha(drive), so there will plenty of those around.

Good idea.

What's the bennefit of going down in diameter?

Just when I thought it was safe to buy a prop
 

I work nights these days; and I havne't been able to get to the merc dealer
around me in time... They (as far as I can tell) do not have a website/email.
but they are listed as a premier dealer on the mercuryprop site.

On Fri, 27 Apr 2007 01:42:50 GMT, Jack Redington
wrote:

trainfan1 wrote:
Josh Assing wrote:

That's an important piece of information you left out of your
original post. What are your numbers now? What
boat/weight/engine/gear ratio?


Blue water, unknown weight (heavy for hte size) 22' foot cuddy
350 GM engine (mercruiser)
1.47 ratio

4100 rpm at WOT, 45 mph in "perfect waters" (no chop, no wind, everything
trimmed to max it out w/o slip)

You really need to know what your goal is in selecting a prop. The
ability to try several different styles would be a huge advantage. I
have one shop down in the Finger Lakes that has allowed me to do this
over the years.


My goal is to maintain (or improve) fuel usage in mid-range cruisng
(30mph or
so), and get on plane faster....

The "local" shop I use doesn't do loaners, havent' found one that will
-- one
said "as long as you test it on the lakes, no salt water" the
problem is that
is where I'm using the boat, so I need to test it in salt water ...


Thanks for your time.


OK, I can't see going beyond a 17P SS 3 blade. Double cup, wide(er)
blades, maybe down 1/2" in diameter at most.

If you can get to a popular anchoring spot in season & strike up
conversations on props, you may find some folks who would like to try
your prop & your spare, and you theirs. I'm assuming your an
Alpha(drive), so there will plenty of those around.

Rob

There use to be a program with Merc dealers to let you try props before
you buy them. They would paint the loaner props blue. I have no idea if
they still do it, but you might try asking around with merc dealers in
your area.

Capt Jack R..

Just when I thought it was safe to buy a prop
 

Josh Assing wrote:

OK, I can't see going beyond a 17P SS 3 blade. Double cup, wide(er)
blades, maybe down 1/2" in diameter at most.

If you can get to a popular anchoring spot in season & strike up
conversations on props, you may find some folks who would like to try
your prop & your spare, and you theirs. I'm assuming your an
Alpha(drive), so there will plenty of those around.

Good idea.

What's the bennefit of going down in diameter?


Less drag. Slight increase in RPM.

The whole prop selection process is a balancing act.

Rob