Prop

[rowdyrabbit]

I have a 1998 Stratos 258 with a 90hp Evinrude. A couple of days ago, I ran up on an underwater dyke in the river. It wasn't marked where I was turning in. I was watching my depth close, but it was deep right up to the dyke. It just skipped right accross (with a loud grinding thud). The hull recieved no damage. The lower unit got some damage, but not too bad. The prop shaft bent slightly. The prop recieved some cuts in all 3 blade, and chewed up the tips some. Again, not too terribly bad. I'm going to turn it in to my insurance.
I'm the second owner of the boat. It came originally with a 19" aluminum prop. After it had been chewed and cut up a bit, it was replaced with a stainless prop. The guy I bought the boat from got the stainless from someone he knew. He told me when I bought it that he didn't know if it was the right size or not, he bought it because the other person gave him a deal on it. The size is marked nowhere on the prop. Only a few random numbers. I have looked them up on the internet, but cannot find anything to match up. The RPM's are right at 5600 at WOT. That would lead me to belive it is the right size, but the performance is off. It seems slow out of the hole, and slow in top speed. It runs in the low 40's fully trimmed out. Is this about right for this setup? 90 hp is the max rate for the boat (15.5'). It is a light boat, so I kind of expected a little more. It is bone stock, no jackplate, or any other modifications.
Now for my questions. Is there any way to measure the pitch on the prop, other than looking up a model #? What pitch and brand prop would be best for this boat? Insurance will either replace (hopefully) or repair the prop I have. Either way, I'm going to buy a new prop. Either with the replacement money, or by putting the repair money towards a new one.
Thanks for the help.

[stratos22ssextreme]

Man if ya' propshaft is bent you better replace it. A guy in our club had a propshaft bent , and when it broke 600 dollar prop (merc race prop) on triton went to the bottom.. he was bummed

[rowdyrabbit]

Im sure they will replace the prop shaft. If they don't I will. I'm more wondering about the prop itself.

[lkhartwl]

props can be repaired and sent off to be fixed that is the least of your problems. A bent prop shaft can and will totally screw up a lower unit and besides a prop being lost ( small matter, the interiour gears and such can run a couple grand to repair and replace not to mention labor. so quit worrying about the prop as said it can be redone go to the props forum and talk to mark or buy a used one for a couple hundred , get the lower unit inspected by a certified tech to make sure that the prop shaft is all that is wrong.

[rowdyrabbit]

I'm sure there probably is more wrong than the prop shaft. But, that's not my concern here. Insurance is going to fix these problems. So my question is not about the prop shaft or the lower unit. I wrote that in there as added information. My question is about the prop itself. I will be replacing the prop, but wondered if anyone knew anything about this particular boat/motor and the correct prop for it.
Thanks for the information so far.

[capticeman]

Once the lower unit is fixed I would try and find a dealer to let you test ride different "new props" The "props" board is great for that. Also look at the engine height when every thing is put back together. Maybe find a used jackplate... This board and the prop board will really help you out. Keep us up to date...

[rowdyrabbit]

Thanks. That's my plan, to test some out. Mainly just looking for a good starting point. I didn't know if one brand seemed to work better than another on this boat and motor. I had about a jackplate, but still haven't made a decision. I didn't know how it would perform on a boat this small. Mainly, I didn't know if it would be worth the price and the trouble.

[capticeman]

Jackplate would be a great investment. look for a used one here. you should be able to find one cheap and install cheap. even though you have a smaller boat, being able to raise and lower engine height is gonna really help you tweek out good solid performance. I think the combo of the right prop and a jackplate will really surprise you!! keep us up to date.