props

roffey

roffey

Junior Member
As you can tell I am getting ready to put my boat in the water for the first time. I was checking out the spare stuff like props. I found an extra prop in the engine compartment. It has stamped on it 14.5X17, the one currently on the boat has 15.5X17, is that possible? I thought the first number was the diamater and the second number the pitch. Is it possible I can use ether 14.5 or 15.5?​
 
roffey said:
As you can tell I am getting ready to put my boat in the water for the first time. I was checking out the spare stuff like props. I found an extra prop in the engine compartment. It has stamped on it 14.5X17, the one currently on the boat has 15.5X17, is that possible? I thought the first number was the diamater and the second number the pitch. Is it possible I can use ether 14.5 or 15.5?​
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Yes, it's possible. Technically, as long as you can swing the prop safely (meaning it doesn't hit anything like your anti-ventilation plate) you can use any prop diameter. Now before I get a ton of corrections, remember I said technically.... the fact is there is much more to choosing the right prop for your boat than just diameter. But you can use just about any diameter you want as long as you don't over-rev or under-rev the engine.
The proper way is to find out what your engine's WOT (Wide Open Throtle) specs call for and then find a prop that matches those specs.

For example, lets say your engine manual says that WOT should equal 5600 rpm. So you start out with a 15p prop and you find that the rpms are 6000. You would then go to a 17p prop and see what that resulted in. The idea is to dial in, as closely as possible, to what your engine's specs say are ideal for you engine. Maybe the 17p was still a little over reved, but a 19p was way under-reved.... you could then increase the diameter of the prop from a 14 1/2 to a 15, but keep the same 17 pitch. See? Everything works together. There are other things to consider also, like rake, cupping, aluminum vs SS, etc., but for now just start out simple and find out which of the 2 props you have gets you closer to your proper WOT spec. In your case, since they are both the same pitch, the smaller diameter prop will give you higher revs than the larger diameter one.
 
Thanks you guys are the best. I have a few things to learn... but have all summer to lean them..
 
… now you have me thinking, the lower unit anode is broken off. From what I understand I don't really need it as this is a I/O motor and the boat does not stay in the water, feel free to correct me here. I wonder if the previous owner broke off the anode to put the 15.5 diameter prop on…​
 
roffey said:
… now you have me thinking, the lower unit anode is broken off. From what I understand I don't really need it as this is a I/O motor and the boat does not stay in the water, feel free to correct me here. I wonder if the previous owner broke off the anode to put the 15.5 diameter prop on…​
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I think to much... the anode does not interfere with the prop...
 
roffey said:
… now you have me thinking, the lower unit anode is broken off. From what I understand I don't really need it as this is a I/O motor and the boat does not stay in the water, feel free to correct me here. I wonder if the previous owner broke off the anode to put the 15.5 diameter prop on…​
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roffey said:
I think to much... the anode does not interfere with the prop...
Click to expand...

To run the larger diameter props MERCURY sells a smooth anode without a fin on it to clear them. And props are available in varying diamters. Larger diamter props tend to be for slower boats that need more blade area for bite at slower speeds. What engine and drive do you have in the boat? The 17 pitch may be a tad big for that size of a boat if it has a small block in it.
 
THEFERMANATOR said:
To run the larger diameter props MERCURY sells a smooth anode without a fin on it to clear them. And props are available in varying diamters. Larger diamter props tend to be for slower boats that need more blade area for bite at slower speeds. What engine and drive do you have in the boat? The 17 pitch may be a tad big for that size of a boat if it has a small block in it.
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I have small block 350 chev with a merc alpha 1 outdrive.

I am willing to buy a new prop as I suspect the preveious owen might have the wrong prop on it.... I was going to see if I could take the boat and water test it with different props, if possible..
 
Try the 15.5X17 and see how it runs first. That big of a boat will like a large diamter prop(like a MIRAGE) or a 4 blade to get enough surface area so it will stay on plane at slower speeds. As for an anode, get teh smooth MERC one for it if you replace it. The one with a skeg fin on it will need trimmed to clear the larger diameter props.
 
THEFERMANATOR said:
Try the 15.5X17 and see how it runs first. That big of a boat will like a large diamter prop(like a MIRAGE) or a 4 blade to get enough surface area so it will stay on plane at slower speeds. As for an anode, get teh smooth MERC one for it if you replace it. The one with a skeg fin on it will need trimmed to clear the larger diameter props.
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Most likely why it was broken to begin with? I guess what I need to do is put the boat in the water, make sure it floats then make sure it starts and then go for a run ... I am sure it will. I looked at it last weekend and it's in much better shape than I thought.​
 
I checked and the anode was broken to allow the prop to rotate. Keep me on track here but I think it will work the way it is and I don’t need to replace anything. The spot where the anode is, is just a little rough but no cracks. So once more go ahead and replace nothing.
 
MERCURY sells the anodes without the skeg fin just for people running large props. If you run one with a skeg fin on it, you will have to grind it to clear the prop. Replacing the anodes is always a good idea if you plan on keeping it in the water.
 
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