If you use a propeller with too high a pitch, though, the motor simply won’t have enough horsepower to turn it adequately, so the revolutions per minute will drop. If you need more speed, a higher pitch is the way to go. You can’t have both, so decide which is most important to your boating needs. Conversely, you gain more speed with a higher pitch prop, but slower acceleration. The reason why is a lower pitch makes the engine reach maximum rpm at slower speed. What you gain there is sacrificed in top speed, though. The lower the pitch, the better the holeshot.
Mercury motor propeller manual#
The Mercury manual defines pitch as “the distance a propeller would move in one revolution if it were moving through a soft solid, like a screw through wood.” For example, a 21-pitch prop would move forward 21" in one revolution. The manual states, “when all other variables remain constant, diameter will increase as power increases diameter will increase as propeller rpm decreases." Mercury Marine’s manual, “Everything You Need to Know About Propellers,” says, “Choosing the propeller’s diameter is determined by the rpm at which the propeller will be turning and the amount of power that will be delivered to the propeller.”īased on the above theory, diameter usually increases for propellers used on slower boats and decreases for faster boats. Propeller diameter is the distance across the circle made by the blade tips. Here is a primer on both to help you shop for the best prop for your boat. There is no need to get spun out when you consider the two most important characteristics for choosing a propeller-diameter and pitch.
Mercury motor propeller how to#
That’s when it’s worth the investment of having more than one prop that can be changed out depending on the need.Įnd the confusion about how to answer those head-scratchers above by simplifying the selection process.
The middle ground is okay for some boaters, while others are looking for more performance with specialized activities like watersports, bass fishing and pontooning. Manufacturers and dealers aim to rig the motor and prop for the best all-around performance and fuel economy. Package boats are usually sold with a propeller for the outboard. Propellers have come a long way in recent years, as boat and motor manufacturers continually refine their products to improve performance, fuel economy and boat handling. If you are among those, there are factors worth considering before you go shopping for a new prop. Those are popular propeller questions pondered by boat owners. Should I switch from an aluminum propeller to one made of stainless steel? Will a four-blade prop improve my holeshot? Is my prop too big or small? What prop do I need to make my boat go faster?