Vengeance vs black max

[stubblejumper]

What can I expect as to a difference in performance between the Aluminum Black Max,and the stainless Vengeance?Would switching to the Vengeance change my maximum rpm?
My lund 1625 rebel with 75hp 4 stroke reaches 38mph at 5800rpm with two people in the boat with the 17" pitch Aluminum Black Max.I want a spare prop anyways,and I would like a more durable prop as well,so I am thinking about buying a Vengeance prop.However,when I tested the boat,there were only two of us,no gear,an empty live well and 3/4 tank of fuel.Being that I will have three people in the boat on occasion,and a full live well,I am thinking of going to a 16" Vengeance prop as a replacement.Do you think that the 16" Vengeance would be a good choice?

[San Chan]

What can I expect as to a difference in performance between the Aluminum Black Max,and the stainless Vengeance?Would switching to the Vengeance change my maximum rpm?



I am always wondering the same questiion. Same Pitch? Lower or higher Pitch? I guess a few experts here will have the answer. REW ......Hot Runr Guy...... or anyone?

[staylor]

...just like the old QSS series- a stainless version of the aluminum baseline prop. The only gain you'll see is longer life if you're running in sandy water. I'd suggest just picking up an aluminum spare and being done with it. If you want to try out a higher performance style prop, I believe a Trophy Plus will fit your motor, 4 blades with high rake angle and the PVS adjustable venting system. I'd try one in the same pitch you are presently running since I don't think the Trophy Plus comes in less than 17 pitch. You can pick these up used or new, a new one runs about $420. on line.
Doug

[Hot Runr Guy]

I don't think those of us that run down in the 75-90hp class really see the benefits, preformance-wise, of SS props, other than they are less likely to nick and get chewed-up in sandy/gravel bottoms. I'm with Staylor, stay with aluminum, but maybe get a 16" Black Max for when you'll have 3 in the boat. Buy yourself the right size socket, and leave the "prop tool" in the boat, and swap between your props when the conditions/load changes. 5800rpm/38mph in a 1625 Rebel should be a fun ride already.
HRG

[stubblejumper]

I actually received input from a couple of people that repair and sell props for a living,and they informed me that I could expect a very slight performance improvement with stainless,but to go with a 16" stainless since with a 75hp engine,the rpm would be about the same or perhaps 100rpm more than with the aluminum 17" prop.

[staylor]

...and it doesn't matter whether its a 16 inch SS or a 16 inch alum- as long as they both are same in blade shape, diameter, rake and cup, the rpm at top end will be the same. What you will notice on a motor of 90 hp and lower is a definite "clunk" when you shift with the stainless prop, that you won't get with aluminum- since the stainless prop weighs twice as much. Usually I run nothing but aluminum if the rig goes less than 50 mph and is not running a V-6 lower unit. In any event, dropping to a 16 pitch should pick you up another rpm.
Doug

[stubblejumper]

I have been made aware of the clunk and of the rattle at idle when using a stainless prop.I have also been made aware of the flo torq III hub that supposedly greatly reduces the clunk and virtually eliminates the rattle.As a result,I have ordered a 16" stainless prop with the flo torq III hub from a US supplier for a price very close to what I would pay for an aluminum prop at a Canadian Mercury dealer..

[San Chan]

I have been made aware of the clunk and of the rattle at idle when using a stainless prop.I have also been made aware of the flo torq III hub that supposedly greatly reduces the clunk and virtually eliminates the rattle.As a result,I have ordered a 16" stainless prop with the flo torq III hub from a US supplier for a price very close to what I would pay for an aluminum prop at a Canadian Mercury dealer..



Let me know how it turn out in terms of RPM increase/decrease, Speed increase/decrease. I am looking at getting one too.

[stubblejumper]

My Quicksilver stainless prop arrived today.All in all,I saved about $340 off of the price that my Canadian dealer quoted me for a vengeance.The Canadian prices are insane.

[KP]

I keep readiing posts from people who say a lower hp motor will not benefit from a stainless prop. Those responses are incorrect! I put a stainless prop on my 70hp motor and it was a substantial improvement over the aluminums I had tried. I had better hole shot and better bow lift which resulted in a higher top speed. Best of all the better bow lift provides me with a very smooth cruise at 3500 RPM. Almost like I'm floating on air! I do not have to trim down as much in turns. The steering became easier as well. I even experienced an increase in fuel efficiency in my cruise RPM range of 3500 to 4500 RPM.

Aluminum props are not capable of having the same blade geometry as stainless props so things like increased cupping and rake angle become huge benefits to stainless. Aluminum props flex which causes changes in pitch which you will not experience with a stainless. Best of all, stainless props are more durable.

Some stainless props are designed with identical blade geometry to aluminum so one can get the durability benefit only. That's kind of a waste of money in my opinion.

Typically due to a combination of weight and typical increased cupping of stainless props, you will experience a 200 to 300 RPM drop with the same pitch prop. However, that does not apply to all stainless props. The Ballistic, for example, will turn at the same and sometimes higher RPM than a typical aluminum prop.