What prop.....(I bet you're bored of this!?)

[Grant]

Hi all,

As you may know I have a 14 Fletcher with Mercury 90. I want to get myself a stainless prop but some people have told me to get a 19' and others bigger like a 20' or 21'?

The boat will be mostly used for ski-ing and needs to be able to easily pull up a 13st mono skier, obviously a bit of top end would be nice.

What would you reccommend and what sort of speed can i expect.

I'm afraid I dont know what rpm the engine will run or the weight of the boat, maybe someone on here does?

Thanks

Grant

 

[Lars T]

I don't get bored at all..
I find it very interesting to hear about different experiences regarding the props..
I think the best prop for skiing is the High Five and in you case i believe a 19" or 21" would be good.
I would not go any higher than 21" as i am not sure your engine will be able to pull it..
However i have just check with Mercury's PropSelector - dunno if it's any good though - but they recommed a 21" High Five..

 

[Grant]

Thanks for the reply,
I have heard that i loose out on top end with a high five prop, is this true?
What are the advantages of the high five?

Grant

 

[Lars T]

With the High Five you geat amazing pull, but loose, as you say, up to5 mph top end..

 

[Captain Chaos]

more stern lift, more grip.

I'd have thought that like for like pitch, the hi-5 will have a negligable top-end loss.

 

[Grant]

So a laser 2, 20 - 21' is a good compromise between the 2 then I suppose.

 

[Taz]

yeh get a laser 19 pefect for sking

 

[Matt]

I'm sure that in 90% of cases a Laser II would be a good all round prop with a fair turn of top speed but still with bags of pull out of the hole.

 

[BluFin]

HOW ABOUT A TORQUE SHIFTER
see link below

http://www.land-and-sea.com/marine/torque-shift/torque-shift.htm

 

[Matt]

Urgh!

 

[Cyco]

Lazer 11 small hub 22"

Chris loyde (ex-skirace driver) had a 14.6 flecther that I used to train behind with a 90 on it, he used a small hub lazer 11 prop 22" that he had worked down by around half a pitch.
This would pull a mono skier out of the water no problem and would reach around 55mph which is plenty for the size of the boat.

Cyco

 

[Lars T]

What's up with this torque shift?+
The concept sounds really good but there must be a downsidesince most of you guys are putting it down

 

[jw.]

What's up with this torque shift?+
The concept sounds really good but there must be a downsidesince most of you guys are putting it down

Nothing, properly set up, it's superb.

But from the notice on the website it looks as though they've now got a problem sourcing blades.

 

[Matt]

What did you have your one fitted to jw?

 

[TheOrs]

My experience:

14' Fletcher with 75 Merc. Rig weighs the same as yours but with less power. (how much less depends on whether your engine is Pre-ICOMIA or not)

Initially I had a 21" aluminium prop. Top speed was 47mph* @ WOT. Acceleration was OK but not 'quick'. Pulled me (70kg) up on a mono no problem. Ventilated on medium to tight turns and I had to back off or straighten up to avoid over-revving.

Changed to 20" High-Five. Top speed dropped to 41mph* near WOT, wouldn't pull more. (but have seen 45mph* with driver only and fumes in the tank) Acceleration slightly improved. Ski pull out slightly improved. Grip during cornering greatly improved. Would probably go round almost flat out if I had the guts (or was stupid enough)

My feeling is that the High-Five is probably better suited to bigger (V6) engines. I would suggest a 19"/20"/21" Lazer II would be best for you.

*Disclaimer - All speeds from Quicksilver speedo fed from engine pitot. Probably slightly high compared to reality.

PS: Not boring - Keep posting

 

[Lars T]

I have a 7/10 21" Laser II and a High Five 21" 10/10 4 sale in case anyone's interested
however they will only fit larger shafts

 

[Grant]

Will the 21' Lazer II fit my engine Lars and if so how much do you want for it?

Grant

p.s My engine is an 80 leg with a later 90hp powerhead...

 

[Lars T]

I don't think it will fit, however i'm not sure..
I read somewhere that it will fit Merc's from 75hp and up..
But can send you the partno and i bet someone in here will be able to verify if it will fit or not..

 

[Lars T]

Don't want to do a bad deal with you but here one that might fit yours if mine doesn't however it's "only" a 20" http://www.boatsandoutboards.co.uk/view/F61921/

 

[TheOrs]

Re: Lazer 11 small hub 22"

Chris loyde (ex-skirace driver) had a 14.6 flecther...reach around 55mph which is plenty for the size of the boat.

Cyco

Mine starts to chine-walk at around 47mph. A racer like Chris Loyde would probably correct and/or drive through this but for us mere mortals (Grant, I'm assuming you're a mortal. Apologies if you're not ) 21"/50mph is probably plenty 'high' enough.

Of course this could just be a problem with the hull/set-up of my particular boat.

Will the 21' Lazer II fit my engine Lars...

I <i> think </i> that there are two hub sizes; small & large & that your shaft will be small ( ) & Lars' Hub will be large.