New prop for 200 Merc OptiMax

stratos bandit · April 21, 2013, 08:03:50 PM

I have a 19ft Nitro CDX with a 2007 200 Merc Opti. I would like to get a faster whole shot to get on plane quicker and am not overly concerned with top speed.

I would not like to sacrifice a lot of speed if I don't have to but realize I probably will lose a little and that's ok.

What 4 blade prop should I get? What pitch?

BassBUFF · April 22, 2013, 04:49:54 AM

What prop are you running now? Do you have jackplate installed? What RPMs are you turning WOT and what speed are you getting?

Mike Cork · April 22, 2013, 07:22:38 AM

Need the info BassBUFF asked for before we can recommend something?

stratos bandit · July 28, 2014, 08:14:16 PM

Quote from: BassBUFF on April 22, 2013, 04:49:54 AM
What prop are you running now? Do you have jackplate installed? What RPMs are you turning WOT and what speed are you getting?

Not sure how I missed this. My prop now is "generic" in that it has no label or manufacture markings. It does state M14 1/2 24 inside the hub.

I have a manual jackplate installed (10" setback) and I don't remember the pad height.

With a passenger I am running right at 5500 rpms and about 58mph.

BassBUFF · July 28, 2014, 08:42:35 PM

That's a 24 pitch prop with a 14.5" diameter. Really need to know the prop to pad distance. It sounds like you're too low. Have you tried bringing the motor up a little?

stratos bandit · July 28, 2014, 08:57:53 PM

I would have to measure it again because I can't remember, however, when I did measure and adjust I did lower it because I it was blowing out when trying to get on plane. I only lowered it a little.....like 1/4 to 3/8 and the blowouts stopped.

stratos bandit · July 28, 2014, 09:02:00 PM

I did the prop selector on mercurymarine.com and like 2 of the props it recommends...the tempest plus and fury....both under 14.5" (13.5" & 14" respectively)

stratos bandit · July 28, 2014, 09:03:09 PM

remind me, the pad is measured from the center of the shaft to the lowest point of the back of the hull, correct? (motor at 90° and boat level)

BassBUFF · July 29, 2014, 04:37:29 AM

Correct. Do you have someone around that will let you try a 24p Tempest? I'd be curious to see how it performs over the generic you have. Your redline on that motor is 5750 so you need to pick up about 200 rpm.

stratos bandit · July 29, 2014, 06:02:43 AM

I think the tempest is 13.5" so that should pick up some RPM's, right?

stratos bandit · August 01, 2014, 10:57:40 AM

I bought a used 24P Fury today from my dealer. I hope it hasn't been tinkered with but looked brand new. I'll see what difference it makes next week. I will also get my pad distance measured. I am so tempted to get a hydraulic jack plate over this manual one.

BassBUFF · August 02, 2014, 08:01:40 AM

I'm running a 25 Fury on mine and getting 68 @ 5700 WOT with a tourney load. You need to get the RPMs up a bit and don't know if that 24 Fury will do it. Furys are stiffer than a Tempest or Trophy so they don't "give" much if any. Most folks need to run one inch less pitch on a Fury than they were running on a Tempest or Trophy. Let us know what the results are.

stratos bandit · August 02, 2014, 11:51:08 AM

What boat?

BassBUFF · August 02, 2014, 03:52:18 PM

07 Legend 195LE.

stratos bandit · August 26, 2014, 01:58:44 PM

Pad is 2.25"

Thoughts?

BassBUFF · August 26, 2014, 04:43:23 PM

What #s did you get with the 24 Fury??

stratos bandit · August 26, 2014, 08:15:10 PM

Quote from: BassBUFF on August 26, 2014, 04:43:23 PM
What #s did you get with the 24 Fury??

The jury is still out. I've only had it out once and it was LOADED with weight. RPM's were slightly down, about 5250 and about the same speed 56-58 mph.

It's actually in the shop now getting the power trim rebuilt.

BassBUFF · August 26, 2014, 09:10:21 PM

Let us know what you find out.

stratos bandit · August 27, 2014, 06:38:28 AM

Will do. To me, 2.25 seems a bit high.

stratos bandit · August 28, 2014, 08:47:54 PM

Ok.....had it out tonight. Ran about 5600rpm's and 61.5 mph.

stratos bandit · August 29, 2014, 08:15:44 AM

I should note that my original post was running with a passenger right at 5500 rpms and about 58mph.

The 'stats' above are without a passenger. With the same passenger last nigh the numbers were the same. 5500 - 58mph.

BassBUFF · August 29, 2014, 10:27:47 PM

Take it down to 3" and start from there. Bring it up .25" at a time till you are not gaining speed. You'll need to do this with every prop you put on there.

stratos bandit · August 29, 2014, 11:33:47 PM

Quote from: BassBUFF on August 29, 2014, 10:27:47 PM
Take it down to 3" and start from there. Bring it up .25" at a time till you are not gaining speed. You'll need to do this with every prop you put on there.

I'm not sure I follow.....'bring it up......till I'm NOT gaining speed"?

stratos bandit · September 08, 2014, 06:50:12 AM

Quote from: stratos bandit on August 29, 2014, 11:33:47 PM
I'm not sure I follow.....'bring it up......till I'm NOT gaining speed"?

So take it down to 3" and then start coming up .25" at a time until I am no longer going faster?

jonboy · September 15, 2014, 03:23:53 PM

Quote from: stratos bandit on September 08, 2014, 06:50:12 AM
So take it down to 3" and then start coming up .25" at a time until I am no longer going faster?

That is correct. Raise the motor until your speed starts to drop or your water pressure. Your speed should increase as you raise the motor.
I would recommend you doing this at a place and time where you can duplicate your run as close as possible each time you move your motor. You will only see small changes in speed when you get close.
Keep an eye on your RPMs because they will go up as your motor goes up.