Michigan Apollo Prop
- Thread starter Greyduk
- Start date
THEFERMANATOR
God
The quality of there materials is pretty good I've found. The issue comes in with repeatability with them. You can check a dozen of the same model, and they will all be slightly different from each other. Most propellers have some variation in them unless you have them labbed, but michigan wheel seems to have quite a bit of variation in theres. I've yet to put on a pair of thete props, and have both engines turn the same wide open rpm's. I will say that large diameter 19 will have alot of bite. Prop slip on it will be in the low single digits, and I would be wortied it will be too much pitch. I ran one on my 225 evinrude with a 1.86:1 lower unit ratio, and topped out at 53 mph turning 5600 rpm's with a 17 pitch. Your 2.0l has a lower gear ratio, but I doubt it's enough to allow you to swing that much prop. My neighbor has a set of the apollo 4 blades on his searay cabin cruiser with twin i/o's, and they work very well. We shied away from the large diameter 3 blades because he has 4.3l v6 i/o's instead of v8's, so bottom end torque is a little lacking, and the 4 blades worked out nicely. He went from 21 pitch mercury vengence props(entry level 3 blade small diameters) to 18 pitch 4 blade apollos and turns slightly less rpm's at wot, but can actually cruise the boat and get it on plane in under 30 seconds now.
Just crunched some basic numbers using mercury's prop slip calculator, and I would definately reccomend the 17 pitch in the large diameter 3 blade. 5500 rpm's with it figuring 4% prop slip would put you at 43 mph.
Just crunched some basic numbers using mercury's prop slip calculator, and I would definately reccomend the 17 pitch in the large diameter 3 blade. 5500 rpm's with it figuring 4% prop slip would put you at 43 mph.
Ferm, First of all, thanks for taking the time to give me such a complete response. That helps a lot. The prop I have on there now (not sure what size) is a stainless 3 blade but with a light load it will climb past 6000 rpm when trimmed up. I want to drop that by 300-400 rpm. Also, when trimmed up to reduce the steering torque, it will break loose in the turns. I know I need to trim down, but would like to get more bite also.
I have also found a 15 1/2x17 Mercury Mirage Plus that I think would be an option. What do you think of those? What would the numbers indicate for it? Thanks for your input.
I have also found a 15 1/2x17 Mercury Mirage Plus that I think would be an option. What do you think of those? What would the numbers indicate for it? Thanks for your input.
THEFERMANATOR
God
The apollo large diameter is a copy of the MERCURY MIRAGE prop. I think the 17 pitch would be a good prop in the large diameter. it's not the fastest on top, but it gives a solid cruise, slow planing speed, and LOTS of bite. Also make sure your engine height is correct with any prop change. You want to be able to just see the lowest anti cavitation plate when running up on a fast plane to WOT. Many people tend to mount there engines too low which creates alot of prop/handling issues. The 4 blade APOLLO prop would be a really good choice if you're concerned about steering torque. Like I said, we put a set on the neighbors boat, and it all but eliminated steering torque on his as well as greatly improved the available thrust for docking. If you can get the 17 MIRAGE to try or even for a good price, try it out as chances are you will like it.
Thanks Guys for the input. I found a Mirage Plus 15 1/2 x 17 that will be here in the next couple of days. I am looking forward to seeing what type difference it will make. I won't run it for several more weeks, but will try to post the results. The Mirage Plus appears to be an older style without the vent holes, but I'm not sure that will make any difference in my case.
THEFERMANATOR
God
Sounds like the early mirage prop, pretty sure the mirage plus all had vent holes. The vent holes really help smaller engines getting on plane by allowing them to slip at low rpm's, but once on plane the water moves fast enough to render the vent holes inoperative restoring full bite. It's a sim0le design, but works very well.
The Mirage Plus prop came today. It is a Mirage Plus 15.5" x 17 with no vent holes. The number on it is 48-18278 A45. As best as I can determine the Mirage Plus with the vent holes is number 48-18278 A46. I am going to try it and see how it performs and go from there. If I am really happy with it I might think in terms of finding one with the vent holes.
I went to the boat today. The prop that is on it is Mercury #48-16314-17. What I am finding is conflicting info on the diameter. Some say it is 13" and some other info says 14.5". It is not a Vengeance prop. It is probably circa 1994 approximately. At this point I am probably finding out more than I intended. LOL.
I went to the boat today. The prop that is on it is Mercury #48-16314-17. What I am finding is conflicting info on the diameter. Some say it is 13" and some other info says 14.5". It is not a Vengeance prop. It is probably circa 1994 approximately. At this point I am probably finding out more than I intended. LOL.
THEFERMANATOR
God
The 163 means it's a vengence prop. That's a 14.5"x17p entry level prop known for having alot of slip. I've got one out in the shed. It SLAMMED the 5k rpm rev limiter when I tried it on a 25' searay I had with a 5.7l i/o. Swapped in a 17 pitch apollo large diameter(mirage copy without vent holes), and it dropped back to 4300 rpm's. That was over a 700 rpm drop(don't know the actual drop since the vengence slammed the limiter with ease) staying with the same pitch. Ended up having the prop repitched to a 16 so we could get back up to 4800 rpm's wot.
So don't let them being the same pitch throw you, try it out. That 27 searay my neighbor has had 21 pitch vengence props on it, and would need 17 pitch mirage's to keep the same wot rpm's.
So don't let them being the same pitch throw you, try it out. That 27 searay my neighbor has had 21 pitch vengence props on it, and would need 17 pitch mirage's to keep the same wot rpm's.