Combining art and science, the design and selection of a boat propeller can have a profound effect on the performance of your hull, engine and drive combination. To help boaters achieve the ultimate performance, Mercury Racing offers a wide selection of hand-crafted, premium stainless steel propellers featuring industry-leading technology and a multitude of custom options to optimize virtually any sterndrive application.
“Choosing the right propeller can make a big difference in how your boat performs and the way it handles on the water,” said Mercury Racing Propeller Category Manager Nick Petersen. “The key to selection is matching the prop to the type of boating experience the customer is seeking.”
The Mercury Racing sterndrive lineup begins with the 520 engine, which is mated to a Bravo Three® XR drive package.
“For cruisers and many types of deck boats, the Bravo Three XR’s contra-rotating props are a great option for mid-range cruising efficiency and smooth planing. Mercury Racing Bravo Three XR props are designed specifically for use in these applications,” Petersen said.
Bravo Three XR props feature increased blade area and additional cupping to cope with higher horsepower compared to typical Bravo Three drive applications. With availability up to 28-inch pitch, Bravo Three XR props are best suited for speeds up to 75 mph.
For faster hulls, Mercury Racing 520, 565 and 600 SCI sterndrive engines can be paired with Bravo One® XR or Bravo One XR Sport Master drive packages to achieve greater speeds and higher performance.
“The standard Bravo One XR drive is typically used on 75 to 85 mph boats, with mostly submerged prop shaft heights. Our Bravo I® line of props is most popular for these setups and is extremely versatile, offering many options ranging from the Bravo FS to Lab Finish Bravo,” Petersen said.
Bravo FS props feature a shortened barrel for increased bow lift and are available in 1/2-inch pitch increments to help dial in peak performance. Mercury Racing also offers Bravo I props with a full Lab Finish, which provides increased precision by blueprinting the surface finish and thickness of each blade, resulting in a faster, more efficient propeller.
The Bravo One XR Sport Master drive, also available in a short model, is primarily used in applications capable of speeds faster than 85 mph. It features a crescent-shaped leading edge and low water pickups, which are necessary when running in surfacing conditions, according to Petersen.
With the elevated drive heights of these units, larger diameter props are usually required. Mercury Racing offers a wide range of 5-blade options for these applications, including the Pro Finish Maximus®, the Lab Finish Maximus with short- and long-tube variants and the MAX5. Lab Finish Maximus props are available in 15.00-, 15.25- and 15.63-inch diameters. These larger diameters are needed to maintain efficiency and grip as the drive heights increase.
“The MAX5 is a great option for single-engine applications and lighter hulls that do not require all of the lift that can be generated from the larger Maximus props,” Petersen said.
For boaters seeking even more performance, Mercury Racing offers a line of 5-blade CNC Cleaver® propellers designed specifically for Bravo XR Sport Master drives. These props feature broached 1.25-inch splines and are rated for up to 600hp.
When moving into the upper end of the Mercury Racing sterndrive engine horsepower range, M-Series drives are generally used. The M6 drive is paired with 700sci and 1100hp QC4V engines, while the M8 drive is used with 1100-1350hp and 1350-1550hp dual-calibration QC4V engines. According to Petersen, these combinations are best suited for purely surfacing applications over 100 mph.
For the highest-horsepower applications, Mercury Racing offers 5- and 6-blade CNC Cleaver props in more than 4,000 variations to ensure compatibility and maximum performance with a wide variety of hull designs. CNC Cleaver props are available in 12, 15, 18 and 21 degrees of rake, diameters ranging from 14.50 to 18.00 inches, and with 26- to 40-inch pitch. Proprietary horsepower thickness curves are machined into each prop to ensure maximum durability for applications ranging from 700 to 1550hp.
With so many options and choices available to the performance-minded boater, choosing the best propeller for your application may seem daunting task. However, the experts at Mercury Racing and your Mercury Racing dealer are ready to help.
“Mercury Racing has the products and expertise to help any boating enthusiast choose the best propeller to dial in their sterndrive combination and exceed their performance expectations,” Petersen said. “Working with us or your Mercury Racing dealer to choose the right prop for your application can help take the guesswork out of this critical decision.”
To learn more about Mercury Racing Propellers, visit MercuryRacing.com/propellers.
