Prop Questions

[PolarExpress]

I could use some good advise concerning propeller purchase.

Current situation, I have a 2005 Polar 2300WA powered by a 2005 225 ETEC. Great motor and boat!
The motor was supplied with a 14.75" x 21" SST prop from the start. I believe the boat and motor dry weight is at least 4100 lbs and I could only get ~ 4700 rpms from the start.

The dealer switched props to a 14.75" x 19" SST and that increased rpms to ~ 5000 to 5050. An improvement, but I still believe the engine is under more load than it should be. Hole shot is ok, and top end is at 41 GPS. Top end is not most important, operation efficiency is. I think I should take two more inches off the pitch to increase rpms at WOT, therefore increasing cruising efficiency.

The following propellers I am considering for purchase. Any thoughts concerning this selection would be most appreciated. All are stainless steel and are 3 blade except for the last one, which is 4.

BRP SST 14.75 x 17
BRP Viper 14.75 x 17 any performance difference between the SST and Viper?
Solar HR Titan 14.75 x 17
Stiletto Bay Pro III 14.25 x 17
LEXOR 15.5 x 17
MI Wheel Apollo 15.5 x 17
MI Wheel Apollo 14.6 x 16 (4 blade)

If anyone feels that another prop would be a better choice, please add it. Thanks in advance for your help.

Bill

[johnrude]

I would go with the BRP REBEL. I would guess a 17" to start.

[PolarExpress]

Is the Rebel that much better than similar sized props like the LEXOR and Apollo?

Also, by decreasing 2" in pitch, but increasing .75" in diameter, will they offset each other and not have much of an increase in WOT rpms and overall performance?

Recommended Web Site to purchase Rebel props.

Thanks

[jimop]

You could try these folks. Power Tech http://www.ptprop.com. They sold my dealer a prop for my boat when I baught it and I could ask for and better performance. They do a jam up job of sizing props for the application. I even went to the extent of taking my rig to a prop shop and paying them to see if the boat was set up good. All I did was pay $75.00 for them to tell me it couldnt have been setup better. The folks at Power Tech are good about talking to you also.

[Rocketman]

If you bought the boat from the dealer, he SHOULD let you try the props until you get one that you are satisfied with (so long that you return them undamaged). My dealer let me borrow 6 or 7 different props until I got one that we were happy with. The REBEL is a SOLAS made prop for BRP that was designed for use with the new magnum gearcases. The VIPER props do NOT work with the new larger diameter gearecases. Based on your boat/motor combo, and my experience, try the 17 REBEL. My thoughts are that for you to achieve the recommended rpm on that motor (5800 WOT with light load), you will need the 15 REBEL. That engine, as well as all engines need to be propped to run in the upper RPM range. 225 horses on a 23' WAC is marginal power. BTW, I have a 21.5' CC with a '05 225 e-tec turning a 17" REBEL @ 5750 WOT with a light load @ 49.5 MPH.

RM

[PolarExpress]

RM,

Is the BRP Rebel essentially the same as the Solas LEXOR?

Thank you for your input.

[Rocketman]

Have no idea.... could be. When I repowered from a 1995 Johnson Oceanrunner to the '05 225 e-tec I was originally running the same VIPER prop - 14.75x17. Ended up with somewhere around 23% slip. Also tried an older 19" VIPER that was only worse with respect to slip. Tried a newer 19" VIPER with the same slip results. Dealer got in a brand new 19" and 17" REBEL, saying that they were SOLAS made props for BRP especially for the new magnum gearcases. After running both, settled on the 17 REBEL. Next best thing for the magnum gearcases, with respect to BRP props is probably the SST. As mentioned previously, the VIPER props do not work with the new larger gearcases. I have yet to try a, forum gods please forgive me, Merc REV4, although I have heard that they hook up with the e-tec's pretty well on the offshore boats.

My suggestion is that you contact your dealer and request that he loan you a 17" and 15" REBEL prop. Make runs of approx 1 mile both ways with the motor pinned and trimmed and then record results. I'm betting that the 15 REBEL prop is the one that you will need. These motors, like all DI motors need to turn the R's at WOT for maximum efficiency at all rpm ranges, much less to eliminate the loading which will cause excessive combustion head temps and lead to premature powerhead failure.

There are some websites that offer the REBEL for under $400. For me, it was money well spent as I currenty am achieving a slip factor of approx 7%.

RM

[johnrude]

Yes the REBEL is made by Solas. They have a prop that is close is called called the Lexor. The Rebel prop while it looks similar, has a little tighter cupping at the tip.