View Full Version : SS prop for Merc...... Merc vs Michigan Wheel
Miss Adventure II
12-29-1999, 08:09 PM
Looking at getting a SS prop for my 125 Merc. Is there any performance difference between a prop from Michigan Wheel or a factory prop from Merc with the same specs.
chatman
12-30-1999, 06:25 AM
<center><font size="1" color="#ff0000">LAST EDITED ON Dec-30-99 AT 08:25AM (EST)</font></center>
all props are like crankbaits. they all run a bit different. you might want to give all your specs boat/motor/weight etc and go to bakermarine.com you can e-mail them from there. they have hosted before and really know their stuff. they can help you with info so you can decide on what prop is best for holeshot/lift/topend etc. sam and jeff baker..tell em walleyecentral sent you!
I bought a ss prop from lenspropshop.com. All I did was give them my current top end, rpm and prop specs. Told them what I was looking for and they sent me a new prop that increased top end lowwered rpms and had a great holeshot.
In my opinion there is probably a difference in performance between an after-market prop and a Mercury prop. Here is my reasoning, Mercury is developing their props specifically for their motors. After-market manufacturers are designing props to fit a wide varity of manufacturers. I'm sure that the costs for a prop casting have to be somewhere near $100,000 (I say this because our company once researched the cost for a mold for a bicycle computer and it was over $50,000 and this was out of Taiwan) and this does not take into account research and development costs. I'm not saying anything about any specific companies, however, I have seen and owned after market props that are way out of balance and don't even rotate true (blades at different pitches). In this case the mold was probably (in my opinion) not produced to specification, however, given the development and manufacturing costs it was probably unfeasable to scrap the mold. Mercury has deep pockets for research, development and manufacturing and that is why I would go with their prop.
Best Regards,
FJH
Also own a 125; mine's on a 19' Fisher. Just have the standard 19 pitch aluminum prop on mine. Would love to hear what kind of difference the SS makes for you. Please let us know.
Thanks, Good Luck & a Happy New Year!!
I do have both a Michigan Wheel and the stock Merc alum props, both have the same specs; have never noticed any difference between the two brands performance wise. Don't know if that would hold true for the SS props.
If you opt for a SS prop don't buy a QSS model [ brushed finish not chrome]. There will be a minimal improvement in performance. Get either a trophy [4 blade],or Laser 2 [3 blade]. They have a chrome finish. They will make a difference.
Jack,
The QSS differes a lot in blade rake angle compared to a Laser II . I have used both on my boat. The finish on ths prop, although polished SS looks great, really doesn't have a big effect on the performance. In fact some racing props have a better "bite" when the finish is slightly dulled.