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210 VENTURA OptiMax 225: Switch to ENERTIA Propeller

Posted: Tue Nov 10, 2015 4:26 pm
by mcmahojo
I am thinking of changing the prop on my Ventura 210, powered by a 225 OptiMax. The current propeller is 15.5 x 17, but the hole shot and top end don't seem to be what they should.

If I move to a new propeller in the ENERTIA line, would I stick with the same size, or drop diameter and pitch?

Thanks in advance.

Re: 210 VENTURA OptiMax 225: Switch to ENERTIA Propeller

Posted: Tue Nov 10, 2015 10:49 pm
by jimh
Generally you don't get much of an option about selecting the diameter of a propeller in a particular line of standard propellers. The manufacturer selects the diameter that works well with the pitch in his various lines of propellers.

Diameter becomes a factor in propeller selection when the propeller diameter is larger than the propeller aperture--that won't work. Other than that, you generally are going to select a propeller by pitch and the propeller manufacturer will work out the diameter.

Because stainless steel propellers in general are expensive, and specifically the ENERTIA propeller--made from a Rearden metal--is even more expensive, you should be careful about buying an ENERTIA propeller if you cannot sea-trial the propeller and return it, should it not work out for you.

Also, you might consider the ENERTIA ECO. The ENERTIA ECO is a derivative propeller designed to improve fuel economy.

Generally, if improved acceleration is a goal, trying a lower pitch will help. If you want to simultaneously improve top speed at full throttle and improve acceleration, you need a miracle propeller.

If the 210 VENTURA was set up from the factory with the OptiMax 225, then Boston Whaler usually has tested plenty of Mercury propellers and selected a good one. You should consult the boat test data published by Boston Whaler to see what the OEM propeller selection was, if your boat is not running the OEM propeller. Boston Whaler's test results can be a good guide for propeller selection.

Re: 210 VENTURA OptiMax 225: Switch to ENERTIA Propeller

Posted: Wed Nov 11, 2015 10:51 am
by jimh
Here is some advice from the old forum:

http://continuouswave.com/ubb/Forum4/HTML/008234.html

I also have to observe that BLUEWATERPIRATE ran a MIRAGE propeller for more than 5,000-hours on his OptiMax 225 and VENTURA 210 combination, and, when he got a new engine, he kept the MIRAGE propeller. See

http://continuouswave.com/ubb/Forum1/HTML/022661.html

There is a notion that if you spend $600 on a propeller you can improve boat performance by some marginal increment. This notion is really put out there by the people who make $600 propellers. If getting on plane one-tenth of a second faster or reaching a top speed one-mile-per-hour greater is really essential, then you can start buying and testing $600 propellers to see if they'll do that for you.

How bad is the acceleration onto plane and how bad is the boat top speed now with the original propeller?

Re: 210 VENTURA OptiMax 225: Switch to ENERTIA Propeller

Posted: Wed Nov 11, 2015 11:43 am
by mcmahojo
Thanks Jim, very useful. I know the Mirage was the prop of choice for this boat and motor combo; I bought the boat used this season and it currently has an Apollo prop. just doesn't seem to grip well, and while I don't want to get carried away I thought a new prop might be a good investment.

For overall improved performance and some fuel economy as a bonus, my current thought is a 16 x 17 Enertia Eco. If I follow through I'll post the results.

Thanks.

Re: 210 VENTURA OptiMax 225: Switch to ENERTIA Propeller

Posted: Wed Nov 11, 2015 1:50 pm
by jimh
I have tested over a dozen propellers on my boat. The propeller I have been running for the past five years is a Mercury MIRAGEplus 17-pitch.

In all my testing I found one propeller that was marginally better, but I did not feel like spending $600 to get it. The difference was so slight, I did not think the change in performance from spending $600 would on the new propeller be worth its cost.