Ballistic Props

[SVaerst]

Good morning!!

I have been looking at possibly (definitely not sure if it is worth it yet) buying a stainless steel prop for my motor. Its a 50 hp Johnson (1999), 2 cylinder small gear case. I have found a couple of places that have a ballistic prop that would fit (evidently they discontinued making them in that size) and am wondering how well they perform.

Currently, I am running a stock OMC prop (15 pitch and very slight cupping on the trailing edge of the prop...barely anything though). Maintaining about 5500 RPM...maybe 5600 (have yet to really get the motor tested for RPM, but it is close).

Now, I would possibly consider going to the 17 pitch (looking for a little more lift and from my understanding, the ballistic is designed for more lift) and coming down in diameter from 12-1/4 aluminum to 11-3/4 on the ballistic.

Given a good price, is the change to steel worth it in your opinion? I am especially curious to hear of anyone out there who runs a smaller HP motor with steel.

Thanks

Steve

[Wayne]

I would personally stay away from the Ballistic props.They have the nick name "tin foil" prop,they are very thin and fragile.As far as pitch go'es there props are very aggressive,you will lose a fair amount of rpm.I tryed to run one in 15 pitch on a 75 hp and could'nt turn it.They are made more for higher horse engines.If you buy it make sure you can return it!

[SVaerst]

O.K... How about the Stiletto prop? I have not found a web site that gives characteristics of the stiletto, but I have heard it is much the same as the ballistic in terms of performance...any opinions there as well?

I guess while I am at it, how about Cabela's Steel props?


Can you tell I am fishing here... :-)

Steve

[Wayne]

I don't have any personal experience with the Stiletto props but again I believe there geared towards the higher horse market.I have tryed the Cabelas prop thinking it was the same as a Turbo prop for alot less money,I was wrong I lost performence.Proping smaller outboards is tough I've done it on a 60 and 70 horse motors and found that the OEM props work the best on these size engines.

[Scott]

I HAD a ballistic prop on a 22 foot center console a few years ago. It slipped like crazy. Performed horribly. It wasn't the pitch. It just wouldn't stay hooked up ...even flat on the transom. I went with a turbo and a raker. Both worked well. By the way, the Turbo and Stilleto are the same.