My 2556 w/ 350 MAG MPI Horizon (supposedly 300 hp) had a 17-3/4" diameter 21" pitch aluminum prop on it when I bought it, which based on my research seems to be standard for the Bravo 2 outdrive on the 2556. It had small chips at the edges, and I noticed what looked like weld seams where it had been repaired before. After the last outing (where the outdrive wouldn't come up), either it hit something or one one of the welded repairs gave out because the chips on one blade were substantially bigger.
I'm hesitant to repair the prop again since it's already been repaired at least once. So I guess I'm shopping for a new prop. The diameter and pitch seemed OK. It would occasionally have problems getting out of the hole, but I attribute that more to my reluctance to throttle up quickly and push the engine past 4000 RPM. Was hitting 23 knots (26.5 MPH) at 3500 RPM. Unfortunately I never got it to WOT because the seas weren't calm in the four trips I ran with it. But I did push it close to WOT once - it hit 28 knots (32 MPH) at about 4400 RPM in 2 ft seas before the pounding made me dial it back. This was with half-to-3/4 fuel, and 4-5 people + supplies aboard, so fairly well loaded (honestly I haven't noticed much change in performance as fuel is burned off, except ease of getting onto plane). Does that sound about right performance-wise?
I noticed Solas offers a stainless steel 17-3/4 x 21 prop for about the same price as Mercruiser's aluminum prop. Are they reputable? Will I have problems with the material change at the same pitch? Any other suggestions for brands? Or is there some reason to stick with Mercruiser?
I'm hesitant to repair the prop again since it's already been repaired at least once. So I guess I'm shopping for a new prop. The diameter and pitch seemed OK. It would occasionally have problems getting out of the hole, but I attribute that more to my reluctance to throttle up quickly and push the engine past 4000 RPM. Was hitting 23 knots (26.5 MPH) at 3500 RPM. Unfortunately I never got it to WOT because the seas weren't calm in the four trips I ran with it. But I did push it close to WOT once - it hit 28 knots (32 MPH) at about 4400 RPM in 2 ft seas before the pounding made me dial it back. This was with half-to-3/4 fuel, and 4-5 people + supplies aboard, so fairly well loaded (honestly I haven't noticed much change in performance as fuel is burned off, except ease of getting onto plane). Does that sound about right performance-wise?
I noticed Solas offers a stainless steel 17-3/4 x 21 prop for about the same price as Mercruiser's aluminum prop. Are they reputable? Will I have problems with the material change at the same pitch? Any other suggestions for brands? Or is there some reason to stick with Mercruiser?
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