Pontoon Boat & Deck Boat Forum

Unfortunately, yesterday was a rough day for me. I smacked some rocks at a very slow speed (depthfinder warned me) and bent my prop pretty bad. I was able to continue putting around at low speeds so we weren't stranded. Also, took a wake over the bow I could not avoid. Washed completely through the boat. Ughh, rough day!

My boat is a 2016 Bentley Elite 22' with a Suzuki 115hp (strakes). It has an OEM Suzuki 3x14x17 prop on it. I believe I am propped right as I can hit right at 6,000 rpm redline with just me on it. Top speed solo is about 30-31mph..... 24-25mph with 6 people and gear.

I decided to skip stainless as we have a number of rocks. I was looking for something high performance, but couldn't find much in a 14x17. I ended up taking the cheap way out. The OEM Suzuki prop runs $225 give or take. I spoke to Prop MD and they recommended I go with Michigan Match 3 Blade 14x17. They assured me performance and quality is would be as good as Suzuki. I even called the Michigan Match company and he agreed I should go with the same prop and assured me I wouldn't lose performance. This prop is only $104!...I went ahead and ordered it. What's your thoughts? Anyone have experience with Michigan Match or Prop MD?

I'm on a rock bottom lake and used to crunch a prop a year when using aluminum. After I switched to stainless props, I went 12 years without a scratch on my props, so I consider stainless props to be a good value.

Your Suzuki is just a different animal when it comes to propellers. And they're not available at every boat dealership. Congratulations on finding the aluminum prop for such a good price. It should do fine on your 115 Zuki.

Are you able to get your nosecones out of the water when you trim the motor up (with the strakes?) I would have thought you'd have been slightly faster with strakes.

Bamaman wrote:I'm on a rock bottom lake and used to crunch a prop a year when using aluminum. After I switched to stainless props, I went 12 years without a scratch on my props, so I consider stainless props to be a good value.

Your Suzuki is just a different animal when it comes to propellers. And they're not available at every boat dealership. Congratulations on finding the aluminum prop for such a good price. It should do fine on your 115 Zuki.

Are you able to get your nosecones out of the water when you trim the motor up (with the strakes?) I would have thought you'd have been slightly faster with strakes.

Thanks Bamaman. Even the prop manufacturers (Suzuki and Michigan Wheel) discouraged me from stainless steel with high probability of striking rock. That's what I really want for the added speed and efficiency.

I've looked at a lot of tests and I seemed to be doing better than most (22 footers with 115hp) with speed at various rpm's and top speed. The strakes definitely help, but I have a heavy 22 footer. My dry weight is 2,280 and which puts me close to 2,700 lbs with motor before gear, gas, trolling motor, and people....I'm just hoping I don't lose what I had with this new, much cheaper prop!

Just an update for you since props are all the rage around here!..I replaced the Suzuki prop with the Michigan Wheel - Match model 14x17. Exactly same dimensions replacement prop. The prop costs less than 1/2 of the Suzuki prop at $104. The prop arrived in 3 days and was well packaged. Even added a tube of prop grease for $4.99. All in all a good experience with Prop MD.

Performance wise, the new prop looked the same and was just as smooth as the Suzuki. Unfortunately though, I have lost 1.5mph at each rpm point. For example: 4,000 RPM was 17.5 MPH, now 16.2, 4,500 RPM was 20 mph, now 18.5 mph, 5,000 rpm was 22.8 mph, now 21.2 mph. Top speed was 30mph, now 28.2mph. This is with a loaded boat and two full size adults, so very equivalent testing. I do have a spur or two and a small crack on skeg, but shouldn't affect performance. I am going to have the old Suzuki prop redone and see if I can get back the 1.5mph or so.

Moral of the story is, you can save about 60% off your prop, but be prepared to lose 1.5 mph!!