PROP QUESTION / HELP Please

[Bonehead]

My 40 hp Mercury 2006 motor thru the hub exhaust has a sequence of number printed just above the prop on the motor. 13 x 26 and then 2.00:1. I then took off my prop and found the following information - SOLAS - C111 / 8x13 RN.....Can someone help me understand what these numbers mean. I understand that the prop is a SOLAS brand but I am trying to understand what these other number mean so that I can order a back up prop for my boat. Thanks in advance.....Mark in MS

[Don G]

My 40 hp Mercury 2006 motor thru the hub exhaust has a sequence of number printed just above the prop on the motor. 13 x 26 and then 2.00:1. I then took off my prop and found the following information - SOLAS - C111 / 8x13 RN.....Can someone help me understand what these numbers mean. I understand that the prop is a SOLAS brand but I am trying to understand what these other number mean so that I can order a back up prop for my boat. Thanks in advance.....Mark in MS

Mark, the 13/26 or 2.00:1 is a reference to the number of turns the shaft makes to how many turns the prop makes..

8x13 is 8" diameter & 13 pitch....I would think a 10x 13 would be closer to what you need..Just an opinion..What rpm are you presently turning with the 8x13? What make and model boat do you have?

[Bonehead]

Thanks Don for your quick reply and providing this help. My boat is a 2006 Lowe Stinger and has a 40 hp Mercury 2 stroke unit on it. I bought the boat used 3 years ago and this prop was on it. I run my boat in the 5000-6000rpm range when traveling form location to location. I am very happy with the preformance of this unit just not sure if I should buy a aluminum for 100 bucks or a stainless for 200 bucks. I will listen to suggestions.

Anther question - In your opinion is the Solas prop a good prop for my application. I fish for crappie on the local river way and earlier this week spun the hub out so I want to get another prop as a primary and take the current one and make it my back up. Blades not bent on this one but was out of commission for 3 days waiting to get the new sleeve pressed in.

Thanks Mark

[Don G]

Thanks Don for your quick reply and providing this help. My boat is a 2006 Lowe Stinger and has a 40 hp Mercury 2 stroke unit on it. I bought the boat used 3 years ago and this prop was on it. I run my boat in the 5000-6000rpm range when traveling form location to location. I am very happy with the preformance of this unit just not sure if I should buy a aluminum for 100 bucks or a stainless for 200 bucks. I will listen to suggestions.

Anther question - In your opinion is the Solas prop a good prop for my application. I fish for crappie on the local river way and earlier this week spun the hub out so I want to get another prop as a primary and take the current one and make it my back up. Blades not bent on this one but was out of commission for 3 days waiting to get the new sleeve pressed in.

Thanks Mark

Mark, running that 40 around 6000rpm would be pushing it for me..If you go with a SS prop with the same pitch you might see a slight increase in rpm..I would take a look at a 10x13....My fishing partner has a 10x14 on his 17' aluminum Duracraft and turns about 5600rpm...I would think one of you buddies or a marina close by would let you try one out.

Try posting this on the MS board..You will get ample help from those folks..Thumbs Up

[Bonehead]

Will do - Thanks again Don.....Mark

[skiptomylu]

Don't know the water you fish, but this lake is death to Aluminum Props so everyone here know you mush have a SS prop. If you lake doesn't have a lot of trees then maybe and Aluminum prop is okay, but if you ever go to a lake with lots of wood you better have a SS prop. Just my opinion though and I guess would have to say I don't think there is anyone here using an Aluminum prop. So much of our water has trees since this was a National Forrest when the lake was built you just about can't go long before your gonna hit something.

Skip

[Drifty4]

On the other side, if you hit something with a SS prop, something has to take the shock. Next in line is the gears and the splines on the shaft.

I figure that the aluminum prop is a bit cheaper than a lower unit rebuild.

I have even considered the comp props. They are about half the price of aluminum, and are designed to break on impact, while performing about the same as aluminum.

My fishing hole.

["G"]

Get a new SOLAS SS prop with the SOLAS/ RUBIX replaceable hub system.....you don't have to press fit anything....you can replace the hub yourself in 5 minutes....I have one on my boat and carry a spare hub kit with me. One little bump can destroy a aluminum prop. I found that out 25 years ago and have been running SS ever since.

[TN Hillbilly]

On the other side, if you hit something with a SS prop, something has to take the shock. Next in line is the gears and the splines on the shaft.

Between the prop and the lower unit is the prop bushing, that's what it's for, to absorb that shock and eventually slip if the torque is great enough, before the lower unit gives.