Merc Spitfire...

[Kyle Posterick]

Hey guys, banged up my prop and need a replacement, was wondering if anyone is running a Mercury Spitfire and what there thoughts are on it.

My current setup is a 05' 1600 Crestliner Angler with a merc 60hp 4S on it. Once I dialed the height in (pushed it all the way up) I solved 90% of the issues the old owner had with it (porpoised like a fool at any trim). I am currently running a hustler 14p and with just me and 1/2 tank of fuel on good chop it will run 5900+ at around 34-35mph. With two people and a livewell it drops down to the 5300-5400 range and will run 30-32.

Hole shot is fine empty, but really suffers with weight, the porpoise issue is MUCH better but it will still bounce once you trim up a ways (starts at just under 1/4 trim on a standard crestliner guage).

Thinking about going back to a 13 pitch or possibly staying with a 14 and going to a 4 blade to pick up some hole shot and better bite to cure a bit more of the bounce... Thoughts?

[yarcraft91]

I had a 13 pitch aluminum Black Max on a Merc 50 EFI 4-stroke. Replaced it with a 13 pitch Spitfire. WOT rpm increased by 150 to 5950. Hole shot was better. Top speed did not change, 32 mph with light load on an Alumacraft Lunker 165CS.

[Kyle Posterick]

Interesting, sounds like its probably a good way to go, worst case I just sell it or use it as a spare.. I should probably stay with a 14 by your account, that will keep me around 6k WOT

[yarcraft91]

Only comment to add is I don't know how to compare expected rpm and performance between an aluminum Black Max prop and a Hustler prop with the same nominal pitch.

[Kyle Posterick]

I thought of the same thing last night, the hustler supposedly has a bit more cup than a black max, but its really hard to say with all the hype and marketing around props....

[Box]

Different application, but I have a new 60 bigfoot on a 22' pontoon, with a Spitfire prop (not sure on pitch, but I think the middle "pontoon" model pitch). The reverse and umph of holeshot (if you can call it that on a pontoon) is incredible.

[Knot Tellin]

Originally Posted by yarcraft91

I had a 13 pitch aluminum Black Max on a Merc 50 EFI 4-stroke. Replaced it with a 13 pitch Spitfire. WOT rpm increased by 150 to 5950. Hole shot was better. Top speed did not change, 32 mph with light load on an Alumacraft Lunker 165CS.

Did they have the same diameter? The WOT should have decreased. Below is from the mercury website.

If you’re upgrading from a three-blade propeller to a four-blade propeller, remember that many four-blade propellers generally turn 50 to 100 RPM less than a three-blade propeller with the same pitch.

I have the same version but only in a Quicksilver on a '03 60HP Merc 4-stroke tiller. Boat is a 1675 Explorer (90"beam). I really like the set up. Can't remember specific numbers, but I know the top end of was the same as my 3 blade, if not 1 mph quicker and hole shot was better. I believe I have the 13pitch.

Propman helped me out. Don't have a lot of performance to squeeze from that motor, in my opinion, but the set up seems to work well for me. I would definately go 4 blade on that motor if you were looking for a new prop.

[Knot Tellin]

I have a lund pro angler with a 60hp 4s merc on it and 13p prop. I really strugle to get out of the hole with a couple guys and full tank of fuel(27gal). I have been thinking about changing props as well. Looking at a 10.625x11p or 12p. I run 30mph at 5600 rpms wot with a load an takes foreveeeeeer to get on plane.
1. If i add a blade and loss another 50-100 rpms. I will be at 5500-5550.
2. Dropping pitch by 1 should gain 150-200.

So I am thinking I may need to drop 2p To get back in up to 5900 - 6000 range.

Here is a link to the Mercury prop selector page
http://www.mercurymarine.com/propell...-choose/pitch/

[Kyle Posterick]

Knot,

Couple of things,

My boat and your boat are not a direct comparison, my boat is a very shallow V and basically rides on top of the water, yours if I remember correctly is more of a deep v that breaks the water better. You will need to run less pitch and will get less out of your rig.

I think that before you do anything see if you can lift the motor any, I lifted mine two holes and picked up a ton of RPM, which let me use a higher pitch prop, holeshot got better as well.

27 gallons of fuel for a 60hp is a bit on the crazy side IMO, Mine has a 17 gallon cell and I have no trouble running where ever I want. It seems this size of motor has trouble with tons of extra weight.

This particular 4 blade has a smaller diameter which mercury claims will keep your RPM's up while still giving you extra holeshot and bite in corners, which should also lend itself to lifting the motor. But as my thread states I have no idea how it will act. I plan on ordering a 14 pitch to see how it handles....