Repower Prop question

[Destroyer]

I'd think a 17 or 19 would be a good place to start. A lot depends on the dia of the wheel as well as the rake, cupping, material, number of blades, etc.

[thebottomfish]

Great thanks Destroyer! I was thinking similar pitch.
I wish there was someone around here that would let me play with a few different props but I might have to buy a used prop(probably aluminum) in both pitches(17&19) and then see what works best and then get a stainless steel in the preferable pitch and hope it doesn't mess up my calculations too much haha

[Destroyer]

Where are you in Northern NJ? I might have a few props for that engine you can try.

[thebottomfish]

I'm in Ramsey, the boat will be in Brick next week(hopefully) but if you'd be willing, that would be a real help I can always come to you, if it's something you'd really consider, PM me and hopefully we can work something out
Thanks!

[Destroyer]

Let me check stock, but assuming you come down 287 on your way to Brick if you stop off the Montville exit I'm pretty sure I can meet you with a few different loaners for you to try.

[THEFERMANATOR]

17 pitch stainless 3 blade in around a 13 1/2" diameter would be my reccomendation. If you step up to a 15" prop, drop down to a 15 pitch. That's a lower rpm looper, iirc wot should be 5000-5500 on it(or 5600 since it's a 175hp). I think a 19 pitch is going to be too much pitch for it. Another prop I would seriously look at would be the michigan wheel stainless 4 blade prop in a 16 pitch. They hook up very well with very low prop slippage, plane quickly, and bite hard at cruise to increase cruising speeds. Solas also makes some good cheap props. Stainless or aluminum is a choice of your budget and how you boat. If you boat where there is a good chance of you hitting something, I reccomend aluminum. It's cheaper to carry a spare prop than it is to bend a prop shaft. If you boat in open waters and can afford, I would strongly reccomend stainless.

[thebottomfish]

Thanks Ferminator, I'm just wondering if you meant 14.5" diameter, I'm having a hard time finding any 13.5" props for this motor, I know that's what I had on my old looper but it was a 13 spline.
I actually got a 4 blade solas for my last motor and I really liked it, I know I'm going to get one for this motor but I want to get a nice 3 blade stainless first I think.
I do run barnegat Bay so I'll scrape Sand or much every once in awhile but I almost feel I'd be better off with stainless in that regards... Instead of buggering up aluminum the stainless should be fine, it's just drift wood and any hard ground I'd really have to watch out for with a stainless prop... Right? Or will dragging a stainless through the mud be enough to hurt the gear case?

Destroyer I'll probably take the boat down at an odd ball time this week but maybe this upcoming weekend I could work something out with you and the props to test