what size prop do you use

[cpt. sundancer]

just wondering what size prop your using on a 260 sundancer,I have a '81 with 4 blade on boat now, not sure what size it is without taking it off,[will wait till spring] and boat came with a 3 blade spare but cannot read the size numbers. boat doesnt want to rev past 4,100 rpm. just would like to compare what other boaters are using in a simular size boat.merc.5.7 , 260 h.p.,4-barrel. also i went to sea ray site and it gives several sizes for same motor and is not boat size specific which i would think makes a differance. thanks for any helpfull input :thumbsup: forgot to say it is an aluminum prop.

 

[KayKook]

I assume you have an Alpha drive. Based on that, stock prop would probably have been 15.25 x 15 Aluminum 3 blade. 4800 RPM at WOT. Quite a few choices for that boat and motor in 4 blades Alum and SS.

 

[Henry Boyd]

Cpt. Sundancer,

You can download the engine drive prop chart from Sea Ray for free. According to the 1981 Sea Ray engine prop chart for all models of 260 with a 260 HP engine the prop was 16 x 15 with a WOT of 4600 RPM. You need to look at the year specific chart as model years may difference in weight and dimesnion.

Henry

 

[KC_Sundancer]

Just a note on props:

Even purchasing a new prop does not always get you the optimum performance.
Another option if your current prop is in good condition: specialized prop shops can recondition, balance and modify them to best fit your application. Especially if it is stainless. From our racing experience pitches can be slightly adjusted and diameters can be cut back to correct your RPM range.

Being on the low side of Wide Open Throttle RPM range this may be an option for you.

There are many shops out there - we personally worked with Hydromotive Engineering out of Twinsburg, Ohio http://www.hydromotive.com for the new stuff. They are geared more toward sport and performance boats.

Michigan Wheel out of Grand Rapids is another geared more toward a wider range of boats http://www.miwheel.com/

An excellent place we also used for modifications was Henry H. Smith & Company in Algonac, MI 810-794-4222 http://www.henrysmith.com/index.html
I'm sure they can get you pointed in the right direction.