[Moray]

I have been offered a Viper 17 in stainless prop for my ETEC 75
(possibly at a good price-but yet to be agreed!)
Question-is it really worth changing from my existing aluminium prop?

I am generally happy with the existing performance-current prop does have a few odd nicks in it-but nothing of any significance.

I have read some basic info on the prop which "promises" better speed/economy/hole shot etc but need convincing if its really worth while.
Would appreciate comments from anyone who may have comparisons/experience of either or both??

 

[rexter]

If this is on a warrior i can't really see the point, my 75 etec gives me more power and a quicker hole shot than i really ever need with a standard prop.

 

[Moray]

Yes it is on a Warrior-but the point is that if in addition to those other so called attributes-the fuel economy is also improved-then it may just pay off in the longer term-hence the question?
It may just be advertisers hype-promising the world etc and not really delivering-so thought I would see if anybody had one fitted or was able to make some comparisons.
I am not personally interested in hole shot figures or top speed even-as I rarely open it up to max anyway-but if these props can give
an improved burn-then it may be worth considering.

 

[Clinker]

I put a stainless 'Ballistic' prop from Keypart on my ETEC (about 1/3 of the price of an Evinrude stainless) on a similar size boat. I was really surprised at the performance benefit - added 4mph to the top speed and improved hole shot as well - like you I don't often run flat out, so what it actually meant was a 500rpm ish drop in a 26-27 knot cruising speed with of course the accompanying drop in fuel consumption.

One thing to note about an ETEC - the usual thing is to drop an inch pitch when changing from an ali prop to a stainless to be able to pull the correct WOT rpm, but the ETEC's torque means it can pull the same pitch as your ali (assuming the ali you have gives you the correct rpm).

The other thing is you say there's a few nicks in your current prop - does your boating (e.g. recovery/launch over stony ground) mean you're susceptible to such damage? If this is the case, I'd give it a miss - damage to a stainless prop can give you more of a drop off in performance than damage to an ali prop, so you could end up worse off. Also of course, clonking a stainless prop is less forgiving to the hub/driveline.

 

[Moray]

Thanks Clinker-thats very usefull info.
I mainly launch in an estuary area-and then motor out to more open water. Its very soft/silty mud-and very occasionally at absolute low tide-the prop has kicked up a bit of mud-especially if I have been a bit slow to tilt up the engine etc -and its here that I have probably got the nicks-but they are really minimal.
I may consider it though still-if it is offered at a "bargain" price.