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Author Topic:   prop recommendations for 17' dauntless

lerker posted 06-01-2004 01:07 PM ET (US)
i am looking into a new prop for my recently acquired 17' dauntless. the engine is a 115 mercury offshore, and mercury's web site is telling me to go with a 26" pitch, which seems a little high to me. i am definately going to go stainless, as its a salt water boat.
the boat weighs in at around 2100 with motor and a full tank of gas, and the engine revs around 5000 at WOT with the current prop (i have no idea what the dimensions are). currently, the hole shot is excellent, but i think the boat could use a little more top end.
does anyone have any recommendations?
Donzi posted 06-01-2004 03:40 PM ET (US)
What kind of prop do you have on your motor now? Also, what is the wide open throttle range on that motor?
Dan
TomT posted 06-01-2004 03:53 PM ET (US)
I am new to this propping so take my stats for what they are worth. This is just data not advice.
I am propping my 2000 18 Dauntless which has a 125 Merc. I have two props I have narrowed it down to...both are a Michigan Wheel Rapture SS with vent holes. One is a 17 inch pitch and the other is a 19 inch pitch. The operating range on mine is 4750-5250 with a redline of 5500 rpm and max hp at 4900.
17 pitch 19 pitch
4000 rpm= 27 mph 4000 rpm=28.5 mph (gps)
WOT 5250-5400=38-40 mph WOT 4800-4950=40.6 mph
The economy cruise range is 4000-4300 per Mercury and the 17 hits 30 mph at 4300 and the 19 is going 33 at 4300. I want economy cruise and top end and it takes a lot of rpms to get the 17 to 38 mph and on a good day to 40. The 19 p has nearly as good of a holeshot, accelerates fine, cruises faster at lower rpms and snaps up to 40 quicker and quieter. My next test is to load 3 more people and 30 more gallons and retest both.
Many of us have found the Mercury prop guide to be way off. It recommended a 21 or 22p for mine. I really need and 18 but MW doesn't make one and I have bought through them and will be fine with either 17 or 19 I believe.
I am learning propping is a science but there are many opinions. Some camps advise me to use the 19 and the motor is not lugging and others say it is lugging and will rapidly destroy the motor. Seek Whaler factory rep advice, motor manufacturer and prop shop.
Good luck.
Richard Quinlivan posted 06-01-2004 04:15 PM ET (US)
lerker
I have a 1995 Dauntless Dual Console which I believe is the same boat as yours.
I have two props - a 20" Laser 2 and a 20" High 5. Both of them will turn slightly above the rated 5250 rpm on a good day with a light load. The boat will get about 46 mph with the Laser 2 ans probably 44 with the High 5. The High 5 has better performance out of the hole and is better when I have a boat full of people. Is your 115 a 2 stroke or a 4 stroke? The 2 stroke is essentially the same as my 125 and should break 40 mph by a little with either prop. The 4 stroke has fewer cubic inches and I would guess that it won't perform with the 2 stroke in the speed acceleration arena.
Dick
lerker posted 06-01-2004 10:26 PM ET (US)
good information so far! i really appreciate it...
donzi,
the motor is a 2-stroke and the max. RPM @ WOT is 4750-5250. the only thing i know about the current prop is that it is aluminum and in fair to poor condition. there are no visible markings on it.
the mercury outboards '96 brochure (previous owner kept it in the owner's packet) indicates a prop pitch between 10" and 26".

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Author	Topic: prop recommendations for 17' dauntless
lerker	posted 06-01-2004 01:07 PM ET (US) i am looking into a new prop for my recently acquired 17' dauntless. the engine is a 115 mercury offshore, and mercury's web site is telling me to go with a 26" pitch, which seems a little high to me. i am definately going to go stainless, as its a salt water boat. the boat weighs in at around 2100 with motor and a full tank of gas, and the engine revs around 5000 at WOT with the current prop (i have no idea what the dimensions are). currently, the hole shot is excellent, but i think the boat could use a little more top end. does anyone have any recommendations?
Donzi	posted 06-01-2004 03:40 PM ET (US) What kind of prop do you have on your motor now? Also, what is the wide open throttle range on that motor? Dan
TomT	posted 06-01-2004 03:53 PM ET (US) I am new to this propping so take my stats for what they are worth. This is just data not advice. I am propping my 2000 18 Dauntless which has a 125 Merc. I have two props I have narrowed it down to...both are a Michigan Wheel Rapture SS with vent holes. One is a 17 inch pitch and the other is a 19 inch pitch. The operating range on mine is 4750-5250 with a redline of 5500 rpm and max hp at 4900. 17 pitch 19 pitch 4000 rpm= 27 mph 4000 rpm=28.5 mph (gps) WOT 5250-5400=38-40 mph WOT 4800-4950=40.6 mph The economy cruise range is 4000-4300 per Mercury and the 17 hits 30 mph at 4300 and the 19 is going 33 at 4300. I want economy cruise and top end and it takes a lot of rpms to get the 17 to 38 mph and on a good day to 40. The 19 p has nearly as good of a holeshot, accelerates fine, cruises faster at lower rpms and snaps up to 40 quicker and quieter. My next test is to load 3 more people and 30 more gallons and retest both. Many of us have found the Mercury prop guide to be way off. It recommended a 21 or 22p for mine. I really need and 18 but MW doesn't make one and I have bought through them and will be fine with either 17 or 19 I believe. I am learning propping is a science but there are many opinions. Some camps advise me to use the 19 and the motor is not lugging and others say it is lugging and will rapidly destroy the motor. Seek Whaler factory rep advice, motor manufacturer and prop shop. Good luck.
Richard Quinlivan	posted 06-01-2004 04:15 PM ET (US) lerker I have a 1995 Dauntless Dual Console which I believe is the same boat as yours. I have two props - a 20" Laser 2 and a 20" High 5. Both of them will turn slightly above the rated 5250 rpm on a good day with a light load. The boat will get about 46 mph with the Laser 2 ans probably 44 with the High 5. The High 5 has better performance out of the hole and is better when I have a boat full of people. Is your 115 a 2 stroke or a 4 stroke? The 2 stroke is essentially the same as my 125 and should break 40 mph by a little with either prop. The 4 stroke has fewer cubic inches and I would guess that it won't perform with the 2 stroke in the speed acceleration arena. Dick
lerker	posted 06-01-2004 10:26 PM ET (US) good information so far! i really appreciate it... donzi, the motor is a 2-stroke and the max. RPM @ WOT is 4750-5250. the only thing i know about the current prop is that it is aluminum and in fair to poor condition. there are no visible markings on it. the mercury outboards '96 brochure (previous owner kept it in the owner's packet) indicates a prop pitch between 10" and 26".