Michigan wheel Ballistic prop.

[dave3235]

Hi all

Does anyone have one fitted on smaller engine's 20hp-30 hp.Are they any good, what's your experiences thanks.

[Roflhat]

Some of the thundercat guys use them, they're a sort of semi-cleaver design. Pretty good in the surf or as an all round prop. That's on tohatsu or yamaha 50's but I'd guess they would be similar or smaller engines.
Depends what you use the boat for, generally a normal bunny ear prop is better, like a mercury vengeance with some cup added.

[dave3235]

Hi roll hat.

I bought on a bit of whim 10 1/8
13p for my Honwave 3.5 with Mariner 20hp any advice for setting up to get best results.Will it need to be breaking the surface.

[Roflhat]

Should work fine, long as it's not too much pitch.
If it's revving high enough then it should be fine, if not you could try raising it up, little bit at a time, just keep and eye on the tell tail.

Just give it a try and see how it goes

[dave3235]

Originally Posted by Roflhat

Should work fine, long as it's not too much pitch.
If it's revving high enough then it should be fine, if not you could try raising it up, little bit at a time, just keep and eye on the tell tail.

Just give it a try and see how it goes

Hello Roflhat

That's what I was thinking reading other threads.Would I need to send to prop shop if I needed extra revs or is this a no go due to design of prop having tapered leading edge.Also do you think I will gain any speed, or just suck and see.

[Roflhat]

What prop did you have on it before? Have you got a tachometer?

You can get the prop thinned for better performance all-round, most props come from the factory very thick. Just don't bash it on any rocks! If you're not getting enough revs from it then you want to try lifting it up slowly

[dave3235]

Originally Posted by Roflhat

What prop did you have on it before? Have you got a tachometer?

You can get the prop thinned for better performance all-round, most props come from the factory very thick. Just don't bash it on any rocks! If you're not getting enough revs from it then you want to try lifting it up slowly

Good morning Roflhat,My originally old prop is black max 10 1/8 13p.I do have a tach but not tested due to weather, que the bollocking should have tested before buying.Had some money and no good at saving so it was bought.Anyway peak revs are from 4,500-5,500 so upper half of that would be in the ball park or would it thanks.Also what's the price for thinning the prop approx.

[Roflhat]

you should be alright sticking to the same pitch I reckon. You should be able to make the ballistic work fairly well. I'm really not too sure about the price of thinning a prop, I got one prop cupped at the same time but we have a tab there so I'm not sure. I went to steel developments for mine, worth sending them an email for a quote
What sort of speeds were you getting before?

[dave3235]

Originally Posted by Roflhat

you should be alright sticking to the same pitch I reckon. You should be able to make the ballistic work fairly well. I'm really not too sure about the price of thinning a prop, I got one prop cupped at the same time but we have a tab there so I'm not sure. I went to steel developments for mine, worth sending them an email for a quote
What sort of speeds were you getting before?

Morning all

To question Roflhat,I was getting consistent 24 mph with 2 people approx 31 stone, I'm 20 at 6 ft 3 a big old unit.

[dave3235]

Originally Posted by dave3235

Morning all

To question Roflhat,I was getting consistent 24 mph with 2 people approx 31 stone, I'm 20 at 6 ft 3 a big old unit.

Just been on the phone to Steel Developement and to have the prop thinned it would be in the region of £180, to have it repitched and a balanced £62.tThe thinning is not really an option at the moment .

[Roflhat]

Ok, be interesting to see how it goes with the new prop. £180 is a bit steep! I reckon just try it as it is, it should go pretty well

[dave3235]

Originally Posted by Roflhat

Ok, be interesting to see how it goes with the new prop. £180 is a bit steep! I reckon just try it as it is, it should go pretty well

Thanks for your advice.

[dave3235]

I will reopen the thread after some tests and post my results for anyone interested.

[Roflhat]

I'm interested to see how it goes now!
is 20hp the most you can stick on the back? Is the 2cyl 20hp the same block as the 25/30 or is it the 15/20 block?

[dave3235]

Hi Roflhat

Yeh it's the base model for the 30hp I'm not sure if it will go to that with just a carb,may be a exhaust would need changing to.I have been pondering on the ideal for a while.,Will it go to a 30hp what do think needs to be changed for the 30hp tune up.If peek revs are stated at 5,500 and the 25hp revs to 6,000 does that mean the 30hp revs 6,500 or is that where the exhaust comes in, Unsure!

[rusty McCaw]

I asked about this prop not so long ago with no real advice from this fourm. Thanx guys" Any way I ended up getting a Solas saturn and picked up a heap of pop out of the hole and gained 6kph up top....massive results for a lil 25hp motor. Good luck with the ballistic I kinda wish I had leaned that way but I'm happy as with me results for now

[Roflhat]

Originally Posted by dave3235

Hi Roflhat

Yeh it's the base model for the 30hp I'm not sure if it will go to that with just a carb,may be a exhaust would need changing to.I have been pondering on the ideal for a while.,Will it go to a 30hp what do think needs to be changed for the 30hp tune up.If peek revs are stated at 5,500 and the 25hp revs to 6,000 does that mean the 30hp revs 6,500 or is that where the exhaust comes in, Unsure!

Might be worth your while tuning it up, if it's only a couple quid. What year motor is it?
I'm not sure exactly what the differences are, you can check fairly easily with a parts manual, have a look at the timing settings of each engine as well, that usually changes as the power increases. You could check the part no. of the exhausts of the 20/30 to see if they're the same. The carbs might be the same as well, maybe different jets? I'm sure theres guys on here who know more about these motors, they're fairly common

[dave3235]

Originally Posted by rusty McCaw

I asked about this prop not so long ago with no real advice from this fourm. Thanx guys" Any way I ended up getting a Solas saturn and picked up a heap of pop out of the hole and gained 6kph up top....massive results for a lil 25hp motor. Good luck with the ballistic I kinda wish I had leaned that way but I'm happy as with me results for now

Hi Rusty

If you don't mind me asking what's your top speed now.

[dave3235]

Originally Posted by Roflhat

Might be worth your while tuning it up, if it's only a couple quid. What year motor is it?
I'm not sure exactly what the differences are, you can check fairly easily with a parts manual, have a look at the timing settings of each engine as well, that usually changes as the power increases. You could check the part no. of the exhausts of the 20/30 to see if they're the same. The carbs might be the same as well, maybe different jets? I'm sure theres guys on here who know more about these motors, they're fairly common

Hi Roflhat

The serial number is 953 which I believe to be 1988 its cc is 423, this is where it becomes a bit of a grey area as not sure when the hp ratings changed from power head to being taken from the prop.

Do you happen to know the site for checking in a parts manual.Also it's a merc mariner Belgium made.Would that be under the merc parts or mariner.

[Roflhat]

I'm really not too sure. I have some experience with those engines but we had 3 of them and just mixed and matched parts. Some parts lists here - 1988 Mariner Outboard Parts

Not sure if it's jetting, a restrictor plate or a different carb altogether. This guy reckons just get the carb off a 25hp - Mercury 20 hp conversion to 25 hp Can it be done