PROPosal

I am running a 1998 70hp Johnson 4 Stroke on my Lund “Mr. Pike 16”. I would like to put a stainless steel prop on this motor. My objectives are to get up on plane faster while not sacrificing my current trolling speed of 1.5 – 2.0mph. I am not concerned about increasing the top speed of 30mph. Would appreciate any/all comments and advice. Thanks.
Jack

What are you running on your rig now? Dropping down a pitch or two, assuming we can keep you inside safe RPM limits, will improve holeshot and may actually lower your trolling speed at a given RPM vs your current prop. Let us know and I’m sure you’ll get some decent info to mull over.

Thanks James
I am running the stock prop which is aluminum with some ding damage. I will have to go look at the prop to learn the pitch, etc before I can post this info.
Jack

Going to a 4 or even 5 blade prop will improve your hole shot and bow lift. You may sacrifice 1-2 mph on the top end however. It’s a good trade off in my book.

A good full service dealer will have test props for customers to try out. I usually end up testing 4-5 props on each new boat I get to find the right one. Seems no two boats or the same.

Jon J.

My current prop is a three blade aluninum with a 14×17 pitch. Number on the prop is 176214.
Thanks!
Jack

I just taked to the dealer I bought the rig from. He told me that they did not allow test trials and I would have to bank on his experience in prop choice. He suggested a Raker for $506.40.
Jack

I would tell your dealer, NO THANKS. There are several prop places that offer returns. I don’t have the names here, but I’m sure someone on the site had the names of prop shops in the metro. Personally, I think your dealer is trying to gouge you.

I agree, you need to shop around.

Call every boat dealer in the Yellow Pages that is an Authorized Johnson dealer. First question to ask is if they have a loaner prop program. (These are the props that are often painted blue) Go from there.

You may be in a tuff situation. As there are not a lot of diffferent props out there for 70 hp motors. But I would not throw down several hundred bucks unless I knew exactly what I was getting.

Also, one last thought. 4-stroke motors are not known for good hole shot. That is a common complaint I hear.

Jon J.

One thing to remember is that this is a Suzuki in Johnson colors. Propping this motor out will be a little different than a regular Johnson. My experience with the Johnson “Suzuki” 4-Strokes is that they will require testing of different props to fit your needs. Remind your dealer of the initial investment, then remind him that the “after the sale” dollars will add up to a considerable amount. Guess another dealer could always ring up those sales.

Thanks Geyes,
Found a dealer in the area that has a ss prop for less and will let me try it before purchase.
I appreciate all the responses!
Jack

Eyejacker If your stainless prop dose’nt work the way you want it to you might want to look into a STINGRAY HYDROFOIL STABILIZER PG 34 CABELAS MASTER SPRING 2003 CATALOG. This worked for me . This will put you on plane at half the speed.It is very easy to install only four bolts. GOOD LUCK

Eyejacker

I have a 1650 Preditor tiller which is a heavier boat, and when I went to a stainless I put a plaining plate on the motor cavitation plate and what a difference it made in getting up on plane. it doesn`t take much water to get her up on plane now compared to when I didn`t have it on. Another added benifit was I can run a lot slower and keep her on plain. Also with the stainless I run about 34 MPH GPS
with the aluminum I ran about 29 MPH GPS. It`s not a lot of speed but the better performance, and hitting a log or sand dosen`t bother the stainless was well worth it to me. I`d had done replace an aluminum many times by now.

Good Luck
Tom