2002 18' Dauntless w/Yamaha 130 Prop Selection

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Author Topic:   2002 18' Dauntless w/Yamaha 130 Prop Selection

Buoy posted 03-07-2013 10:56 AM ET (US)
I'm looking at a 2002 18' Dauntless with a 2003 Yamaha 130. The motor has a 2:1 gear ratio and is currently equipped with an aluminum prop. The prop looks small to me, any idea what prop this might be?
http://s707.beta.photobucket.com/user/buoybucket/media/ IMG_1185_zps36af1753.jpg.html#/user/buoybucket/media/ IMG_1185_zps36af1753.jpg.html?&_suid=13626716174810662639817782184
I'll be test-driving the boat next week after the storm passes. The broker has no knowledge of performance with the current prop. What prop would be ideal for this set-up?
Tom W Clark posted 03-07-2013 11:13 AM ET (US)
It's not a Yamaha aluminum prop. Could be anything, but who cares?
The Yamaha 130 is an intermediate size gearcase motor and 130 HP is a lot of power to apply to an intermediate size propeller.
You would want a stainless steel prop with a lot of blade area.
The photo shows the motor mounted all the way down on the transom. Some idiot dealer or outboard mechanic did that. Whaler rigged the Dauntless 18 with the motor one or two holes up when it left the factory with its original Mercury outboard.
That Yamaha can, and should be, mounted three holes up if using a good stainless steel propeller.
With is 2:1 gear ratio and 5500 RPM redline, I recommend the 13-1/4" x 18" Stiletto Bay Pro (a.k.a. Yamaha Performance Series 4-Blade)
The 13-3/4" x 19" Mercury Trophy Plus could also be used if you found a good deal on one.
Buoy posted 03-07-2013 11:36 AM ET (US)
Tom, three holes up is the highest mounting position, correct?
Tom W Clark posted 03-07-2013 11:43 AM ET (US)
Affirmative.
o <-- Bolts through this hole, motor "All The Way Down"
o <-- "One Hole Up"
o <-- "Two Holes Up"
o <-- "Three Holes Up"
Buoy posted 03-07-2013 12:27 PM ET (US)
I'd want the current set-up to perform at 40+ mpt at wot when I test-drive it next week. If it meets that requirement,is there any downside to leaving the current configuration as is?
Tom W Clark posted 03-07-2013 01:03 PM ET (US)
Yes. I predict the boat will reach 40 MPH but that there will be a lot of bow rise on acceleration as well as a loss of grip in tight turns. The fuel economy will be poor, the boat will not ride as smoothly and with the motor so low, you have an increased chance of a prop strike. You may also find the steering effort high compared to running a good stainless prop at a higher motor mounting position.
But other than that, not much.
Buoy posted 03-07-2013 03:07 PM ET (US)
Those all sound like very important and value added reasons to reconfigure it as you suggest. Thanks again for the education Tom, I appreciate it.
Tom W Clark posted 03-08-2013 10:31 AM ET (US)
I forgot a couple things:
The boat may porpoise badly with that aluminum propeller and low motor mounting height.
The aluminum propeller will not last long if you buy the boat. A stainless steel propeller is five times as strong so it is less likely to get mangled or loose a blade and leave you stranded. Risk of propeller damage will be reduced further by raising the motor.
Stainless steel propellers are actually less expensive to own in the long run because you are not regularly replacing or repairing than like an aluminum propeller which will get chewed up even if you only graze a sand bar.
In this day and age, the aluminum propeller's highest and best use is as an emergency spare.
Buoy posted 03-08-2013 11:23 AM ET (US)
Thanks for the follow-up. In reading the 2002 18' Dauntless performance reports as published by Boston Whaler, the tested Mercury 135 Optimax also has a gear ratio of 2:1 and the tested prop was a 15-1/2 x 17 Mirage. Would this work on the Yamaha 130 too?
I ask because the props you recommended seem to be running $350 and higher. I thought by expanding the viable props that maybe I could find a less expensive one.
Are there any prop vendors known for providing very competitive prices?
Tom W Clark posted 03-08-2013 11:28 AM ET (US)
No. The Mercury 135 OptiMax is a LARGE gearcase motor and thus uses the LARGE hub (4.75") propeller. There are lots of models of those to choose from.
However, as I said at the beginning, the Yamaha 130 is an INTERMEDIATE size gearcase motor and thus you are limited to INTERMEDIATE size (4.25") propellers. The selection is much smaller.
Actually, the Bay Pro is one of the least expensive four blade propellers offered and quite a good value. It can be had for $300, delivered with a hub kit.
Buoy posted 03-09-2013 08:08 AM ET (US)
For 2002+ 18' Dauntless models, Boston Whaler moved the gas tank forward to improve weight distribution so I'm less concerned about hole shot.
Is the 13-1/4" x 18" Stiletto Bay Pro (a.k.a. Yamaha Performance Series 4-Blade)and the 13-3/4" x 19" Mercury Trophy Plus still the best options if my priority is performance at 4000-4500 rpms?
Tom W Clark posted 03-09-2013 10:24 AM ET (US)
What are the alternatives? Here are all of Yamaha branded intermediate size ("K" Series) propellers:
http://www.yamaha-motor.com/outboard/powermatched/2010_props_oct_14_10/ 60~130,%20T50~F115.pdf
Not a lot to choose from. Yamaha's Turbo brand offers some other options, but none that I have personal experience with and none that cost less.
Mercury offers almost nothing for intermediate size motors.
PowerTech! makes quite a few different models, more than any other manufacturer, but again, if economy is a concern, you can ignore them.
BRP makes the four blade Roque that would fit your motor, but it's not cheap either.

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Author	Topic: 2002 18' Dauntless w/Yamaha 130 Prop Selection
Buoy	posted 03-07-2013 10:56 AM ET (US) I'm looking at a 2002 18' Dauntless with a 2003 Yamaha 130. The motor has a 2:1 gear ratio and is currently equipped with an aluminum prop. The prop looks small to me, any idea what prop this might be? http://s707.beta.photobucket.com/user/buoybucket/media/ IMG_1185_zps36af1753.jpg.html#/user/buoybucket/media/ IMG_1185_zps36af1753.jpg.html?&_suid=13626716174810662639817782184 I'll be test-driving the boat next week after the storm passes. The broker has no knowledge of performance with the current prop. What prop would be ideal for this set-up?
Tom W Clark	posted 03-07-2013 11:13 AM ET (US) It's not a Yamaha aluminum prop. Could be anything, but who cares? The Yamaha 130 is an intermediate size gearcase motor and 130 HP is a lot of power to apply to an intermediate size propeller. You would want a stainless steel prop with a lot of blade area. The photo shows the motor mounted all the way down on the transom. Some idiot dealer or outboard mechanic did that. Whaler rigged the Dauntless 18 with the motor one or two holes up when it left the factory with its original Mercury outboard. That Yamaha can, and should be, mounted three holes up if using a good stainless steel propeller. With is 2:1 gear ratio and 5500 RPM redline, I recommend the 13-1/4" x 18" Stiletto Bay Pro (a.k.a. Yamaha Performance Series 4-Blade) The 13-3/4" x 19" Mercury Trophy Plus could also be used if you found a good deal on one.
Buoy	posted 03-07-2013 11:36 AM ET (US) Tom, three holes up is the highest mounting position, correct?
Tom W Clark	posted 03-07-2013 11:43 AM ET (US) Affirmative. o <-- Bolts through this hole, motor "All The Way Down" o <-- "One Hole Up" o <-- "Two Holes Up" o <-- "Three Holes Up"
Buoy	posted 03-07-2013 12:27 PM ET (US) I'd want the current set-up to perform at 40+ mpt at wot when I test-drive it next week. If it meets that requirement,is there any downside to leaving the current configuration as is?
Tom W Clark	posted 03-07-2013 01:03 PM ET (US) Yes. I predict the boat will reach 40 MPH but that there will be a lot of bow rise on acceleration as well as a loss of grip in tight turns. The fuel economy will be poor, the boat will not ride as smoothly and with the motor so low, you have an increased chance of a prop strike. You may also find the steering effort high compared to running a good stainless prop at a higher motor mounting position. But other than that, not much.
Buoy	posted 03-07-2013 03:07 PM ET (US) Those all sound like very important and value added reasons to reconfigure it as you suggest. Thanks again for the education Tom, I appreciate it.
Tom W Clark	posted 03-08-2013 10:31 AM ET (US) I forgot a couple things: The boat may porpoise badly with that aluminum propeller and low motor mounting height. The aluminum propeller will not last long if you buy the boat. A stainless steel propeller is five times as strong so it is less likely to get mangled or loose a blade and leave you stranded. Risk of propeller damage will be reduced further by raising the motor. Stainless steel propellers are actually less expensive to own in the long run because you are not regularly replacing or repairing than like an aluminum propeller which will get chewed up even if you only graze a sand bar. In this day and age, the aluminum propeller's highest and best use is as an emergency spare.
Buoy	posted 03-08-2013 11:23 AM ET (US) Thanks for the follow-up. In reading the 2002 18' Dauntless performance reports as published by Boston Whaler, the tested Mercury 135 Optimax also has a gear ratio of 2:1 and the tested prop was a 15-1/2 x 17 Mirage. Would this work on the Yamaha 130 too? I ask because the props you recommended seem to be running $350 and higher. I thought by expanding the viable props that maybe I could find a less expensive one. Are there any prop vendors known for providing very competitive prices?
Tom W Clark	posted 03-08-2013 11:28 AM ET (US) No. The Mercury 135 OptiMax is a LARGE gearcase motor and thus uses the LARGE hub (4.75") propeller. There are lots of models of those to choose from. However, as I said at the beginning, the Yamaha 130 is an INTERMEDIATE size gearcase motor and thus you are limited to INTERMEDIATE size (4.25") propellers. The selection is much smaller. Actually, the Bay Pro is one of the least expensive four blade propellers offered and quite a good value. It can be had for $300, delivered with a hub kit.
Buoy	posted 03-09-2013 08:08 AM ET (US) For 2002+ 18' Dauntless models, Boston Whaler moved the gas tank forward to improve weight distribution so I'm less concerned about hole shot. Is the 13-1/4" x 18" Stiletto Bay Pro (a.k.a. Yamaha Performance Series 4-Blade)and the 13-3/4" x 19" Mercury Trophy Plus still the best options if my priority is performance at 4000-4500 rpms?
Tom W Clark	posted 03-09-2013 10:24 AM ET (US) What are the alternatives? Here are all of Yamaha branded intermediate size ("K" Series) propellers: http://www.yamaha-motor.com/outboard/powermatched/2010_props_oct_14_10/ 60~130,%20T50~F115.pdf Not a lot to choose from. Yamaha's Turbo brand offers some other options, but none that I have personal experience with and none that cost less. Mercury offers almost nothing for intermediate size motors. PowerTech! makes quite a few different models, more than any other manufacturer, but again, if economy is a concern, you can ignore them. BRP makes the four blade Roque that would fit your motor, but it's not cheap either.