Propeller recommendations

B

Bretko23

New Member
May 9, 2018
24
Bridgeport, NY
Boat Info
225 weekender 2002
Engines
5.0 MPI Mercruiser
Probably beat to death topic but...I am looking for info on recommended propeller diameter and pitch for my 2002 225 weekender. I have the 5.0l mpi with alpha outdrive. The boat came with (1 each) 3 blade and a 4 blade stainless props. I really liked the performance of the 4 blade vs 3 blade as the boat gets on plane quicker. We are casual cruisers with 2-5 people on board. I will be adding trim tabs as well but that's another thread.....any advice on props or trim tabs is greatly appreciated.
 
So my first question is trailer boat or in the water boat? I do not know by your address but salt or fresh water? Your 4 blade stainless will give your best performance but it will hate your alpha drive and you will have corrosion issue almost right away especially in salt water. One of my boating friends has twin alpha drives on his 280 Sundancer and ditched the stainless props for aluminum props and I have replaced my Brovo III drive while he is still on his original alpha drives.
 
Fresh water (Oneida lake upstate, NY) and boat has never been in salt water. Boat is kept in water for the summer and anodes get replaced annually due to corrosion factor. I am assuming thats what your reffering to about hating the outdrive. The boat came with stainless when new and I do like the performance as I said.....I just find it odd that in all the literature on the boat I can not find 1 single source for size recommendations...
 
Well you have bite vs. top end. I had a 23’ with a 350 Mag way back in the day and was able to pick up three mph 62 mph on the GPS but the bite out of the hole was not as good as the stock prop.
 
There's a propeller chart/matrix available on SR's website. But I think the original prop would have been a Vengeance... maybe 19". Since it's an MPI, it means it came with it from the factory like that.

BUT, regardless, as asked in pretty much ALL prop threads... what's your performance with the current props and what are the specs on the props? Diameter/pitch... Max Speed/Max RPM at WOT. Need info/data.

Bennett Hydraulic tabs are tried and true and generally last decades without an issue. If you know what you are doing, plan on spending about 8+ hours doing the install. If you hire a shop - plan on 4 - 6 hours of labor... give or take.
 
I have an '03 225 Weekender and have been running a 15 1/2 in diameter 3 blade Mirage 17 pitch stainless for a while with good results. My boat has the 5.0 MPI with the Alpha drive. My other prop is a 4 blade aluminum 14.25 dia X 19 pitch and it performed very well getting on plane also about like the 17p stainless 3 blade. The biggest noticeable improvement to my boat was adding Bennett Trim Tabs with the electric actuators. Mine are 12 in wide and come out from the transom about 11 inches. Bennett had recommended I use a different style tab because the transom on this particular boat is angled somewhat. The one they suggested was a direct order and considerably more expensive. So I did what I normally do and go for cheap and got mine on an Internet order for a good deal. They would probably be considered a standard generic shape and not angled. I can see absolutely no problem with spray or function on these cheaper tabs!! It adds more to my boats performance than any prop I could have chosen. Coming up on plane with the back seat loaded with passengers is not an issue now, before I would ask a couple of the heavier guests to step into the cuddy until I was on plane. These cuddy cabin boats are heavy in the aft end without passengers!!

I'm not a speed type of guy with a boat, especially an I/O model. I ran all of my 2 cycle outboards wide open most of the time........not many parts moving in a 2 cycle engine. In an inboard engine they are in constant load (no coasting like in a car) I have never opened my engine up all the way and left it there for more than a minute. So maximum speed and performance is not important to me. I don't go there when selecting a prop. Some folks do. Your choice! I like getting up on plane easily when loaded and cruising around 25-28 mph. I hope this will help you in your decision making. I highly urge you to install the Bennett Trim Tabs. They are that good !!
 
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To make recommendations on a prop, what are your current prop pitches and WOT rpm? Also what condition are you looking to correct? I boat near you on Cayuga lake, 21 ft '04 200 sport.

I have also preferred 4 blades as most of my boating is fairly well loaded watersports. I think 4 blades allows the boat to get on plane quicker/plane slower and operate how I used my boat 95% of the time better than 3 blades. Would assume a boat that size with a 5.0 you want a 17" or 19" pitch, but really depends on your current performance.

If you are looking for prop reccomendations I've had good luck with Mercury revolution 4, vensura, and in aluminum Michigan vortex 4 blades.
 
Last Dollar said:
I have an '03 225 Weekender and have been running a 15 1/2 in diameter 3 blade Mirage 17 pitch stainless for a while with good results. My boat has the 5.0 MPI with the Alpha drive. My other prop is a 4 blade aluminum 14.25 dia X 19 pitch and it performed very well getting on plane also about like the 17p stainless 3 blade. The biggest noticeable improvement to my boat was adding Bennett Trim Tabs with the electric actuators. Mine are 12 in wide and come out from the transom about 11 inches. Bennett had recommended I use a different style tab because the transom on this particular boat is angled somewhat. The one they suggested was a direct order and considerably more expensive. So I did what I normally do and go for cheap and got mine on an Internet order for a good deal. They would probably be considered a standard generic shape and not angled. I can see absolutely no problem with spray or function on these cheaper tabs!! It adds more to my boats performance than any prop I could have chosen. Coming up on plane with the back seat loaded with passengers is not an issue now, before I would ask a couple of the heavier guests to step into the cuddy until I was on plane. These cuddy cabin boats are heavy in the aft end without passengers!!

I'm not a speed type of guy with a boat, especially an I/O model. I ran all of my 2 cycle outboards wide open most of the time........not many parts moving in a 2 cycle engine. In an inboard engine they are in constant load (no coasting like in a car) I have never opened my engine up all the way and left it there for more than a minute. So maximum speed and performance is not important to me. I don't go there when selecting a prop. Some folks do. Your choice! I like getting up on plane easily when loaded and cruising around 25-28 mph. I hope this will help you in your decision making. I highly urge you to install the Bennett Trim Tabs. They are that good !![/QU

Thanks for the detailed info. Sounds as if we have similar cruising styles and experiences. Great info and advice. Trim tabs are definitely happening and I will absolutely look into Bennett. Why do you prefer the 3 blade stainless as opposed to the 4 blade aluminum...
Click to expand...
 
Scott06 said:
To make recommendations on a prop, what are your current prop pitches and WOT rpm? Also what condition are you looking to correct? I boat near you on Cayuga lake, 21 ft '04 200 sport.

I have also preferred 4 blades as most of my boating is fairly well loaded watersports. I think 4 blades allows the boat to get on plane quicker/plane slower and operate how I used my boat 95% of the time better than 3 blades. Would assume a boat that size with a 5.0 you want a 17" or 19" pitch, but really depends on your current performance.

If you are looking for prop reccomendations I've had good luck with Mercury revolution 4, vensura, and in aluminum Michigan vortex 4 blades.
Click to expand...

I generally cruise right around the 3400-3600 rpm area. Boat seems to like it around there. I rarely "peg" it....28-32 mph is fine for me..I just want the boat to get out of the water and on plain quicker and easier. On Oneida lake calm days are calm but rough days are ROUGH..lol
 
Bretko23 said:
I generally cruise right around the 3400-3600 rpm area. Boat seems to like it around there. I rarely "peg" it....28-32 mph is fine for me..I just want the boat to get out of the water and on plain quicker and easier. On Oneida lake calm days are calm but rough days are ROUGH..lol
Click to expand...
additionally I have no idea what current pitch is. I can find absolutely no markings or engravings on existing prop and before you ask I'm not a rookie boater. I find it odd to not have prop marked some where
 
Neither of your props must be the original Merc prop, then. Merc props are well marked with stampings between the blades. Others may have markings on the inside, along the rim of the hub by the nut - some are on the backside or even further inside.

Without the data asked above (current pitch and WOT RPM), there's really no way we can offer any advice. But, possibly going back to the original prop would be an improvement - especially if what you've currently got on there is some cheapie prop. Merc props are generally considered some of the best out there. There is a difference to the engineering behind the design of a prop - along with quality control in manufacturing so the final product is what it is supposed to be.

One thing that I can say, though, is that trim tabs will give you the most improvment in hole shot - hands down.
 
Lazy Daze said:
Neither of your props must be the original Merc prop, then. Merc props are well marked with stampings between the blades. Others may have markings on the inside, along the rim of the hub by the nut - some are on the backside or even further inside.

Without the data asked above (current pitch and WOT RPM), there's really no way we can offer any advice. But, possibly going back to the original prop would be an improvement - especially if what you've currently got on there is some cheapie prop. Merc props are generally considered some of the best out there. There is a difference to the engineering behind the design of a prop - along with quality control in manufacturing so the final product is what it is supposed to be.

One thing that I can say, though, is that trim tabs will give you the most improvment in hole shot - hands down.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the great info I really appreciate it. Trim tabs are absolutely happening...
 
Darryl Earl said:
Is 21 pitch too much for an 1980 26 w/ a 350?
Click to expand...
This thread is really in regards to a 225 Weekender, but take a read through the whole thread. There's info in there that can give you your answer - or at least explain how to figure it out and compare to your engine's recommended Max RPM range... Trial and error is the best way.
 
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