Finally, Mercury makes a pontoon specific prop!

spinzone

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From www.mercurymarine.com

Mercury Marine unveils the Spitfire aluminum propeller

Aug 08, 2011

Mercury Propellers is proud to introduce “Spitfire,” Mercury’s first four-blade aluminum performance propeller designed for boaters using 25 hp to 125 hp outboards.

Spitfire provides the best performance in the world of aluminum propellers – in fact, it’s 25 percent faster from 0 to 30 mph than Mercury’s best-selling Black Max propeller, and there’s no penalty in top speed.

Key to Spitfire’s performance is its four-blade design. Four blades allow Mercury Marine engineers to increase the blade area of the propeller while keeping the diameter low, which allows the propeller to spin up quickly and improve acceleration.

The low-diameter, high-blade-area design was borrowed from Mercury’s top-of-the-line stainless steel Fury and Enertia propellers. This formula provides outstanding acceleration and holding without compromising top speed. That provides boaters who use aluminum propellers access to the industry’s latest design innovations.

Spitfire was designed from the ground up to be the best-handling aluminum propeller on the market. Spitfire features an extra cup design coupled with a straight trailing edge – similar to cleaver propellers used on race boats. Together they hold the water even in the tightest maneuvers.

“There’s a large segment of customers in the pontoon and freshwater fishing market who are comfortable with aluminum propellers but still want maximum performance from of their boat,” said Dirk Bjornstad, brand manager of Mercury Propellers. “Our research shows that these customers place a premium on fast time to plane and solid holding in turns. Our engineers delivered just that, while retaining the top-end speed that people have gotten from the Black Max.”

In addition to the standard Spitfire, there are also three propellers in the line designed specifically for the unique demands of pontoon boats. The Spitfire Pontoon models – considered the best pontoon propeller in the Mercury lineup – feature extra holding and lift to take pontoon boats to a new level of performance.

Availability

The Spitfire propellers for 40-60 hp standard gearcase engines are available now. The Spitfire Pontoon propellers will be available in October, with the 25-30 and 75-125 hp outboard propellers becoming available at the end of the year.

All Mercury propellers are produced with Mercury Marine’s revolutionary, patented Mercalloy for increased strength and durability.

To learn more about the Spitfire and see the introductory video, click on the following link: http://www.mercurymarine.com/propellers/aluminum/spitfire/
 
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From www.mercurymarine.com

Mercury Marine unveils the Spitfire aluminum propeller

Aug 08, 2011

Mercury Propellers is proud to introduce “Spitfire,” Mercury’s first four-blade aluminum performance propeller designed for boaters using 25 hp to 125 hp outboards.

Spitfire provides the best performance in the world of aluminum propellers – in fact, it’s 25 percent faster from 0 to 30 mph than Mercury’s best-selling Black Max propeller, and there’s no penalty in top speed.

Key to Spitfire’s performance is its four-blade design. Four blades allow Mercury Marine engineers to increase the blade area of the propeller while keeping the diameter low, which allows the propeller to spin up quickly and improve acceleration.

The low-diameter, high-blade-area design was borrowed from Mercury’s top-of-the-line stainless steel Fury and Enertia propellers. This formula provides outstanding acceleration and holding without compromising top speed. That provides boaters who use aluminum propellers access to the industry’s latest design innovations.

Spitfire was designed from the ground up to be the best-handling aluminum propeller on the market. Spitfire features an extra cup design coupled with a straight trailing edge – similar to cleaver propellers used on race boats. Together they hold the water even in the tightest maneuvers.

“There’s a large segment of customers in the pontoon and freshwater fishing market who are comfortable with aluminum propellers but still want maximum performance from of their boat,” said Dirk Bjornstad, brand manager of Mercury Propellers. “Our research shows that these customers place a premium on fast time to plane and solid holding in turns. Our engineers delivered just that, while retaining the top-end speed that people have gotten from the Black Max.”

In addition to the standard Spitfire, there are also three propellers in the line designed specifically for the unique demands of pontoon boats. The Spitfire Pontoon models – considered the best pontoon propeller in the Mercury lineup – feature extra holding and lift to take pontoon boats to a new level of performance.

Availability

The Spitfire propellers for 40-60 hp standard gearcase engines are available now. The Spitfire Pontoon propellers will be available in October, with the 25-30 and 75-125 hp outboard propellers becoming available at the end of the year.

All Mercury propellers are produced with Mercury Marine’s revolutionary, patented Mercalloy for increased strength and durability.

To learn more about the Spitfire and see the introductory video, click on the following link: http://www.mercurymarine.com/propellers/aluminum/spitfire/
Well this is great. I was told my boat was coming with this prop, but when we took delivery the dealer said Mercury had given up on this prop. Guess it will be next season be fore I can try one on my 115.... :rolleyes:
 
I'm really hoping you do so you can do all of the prop testing for me. I sold my vengeance prop to a buddy on the lake so I'll be looking for something better before next season.
 
Just wanted to add I am using the Enertia on mine, holes plugged, and it is working awesome. Pulls great out of the hole with no slippage, and turns tight and hard with no ventilation at all with motor 1 hole up. I have needed a 4 blade on boats I have had, but don't see that need on my 2574GLi.

But I would understand for the smaller engine boats, and for guys wanting to use aluminum, the Spitfire would surely be a big improvement over over the old standard Black Max.
 
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So what is the benefit/failures of an aluminum vs steel prop? I'm quite new to boating, one person told me that the alum flexes more and that's bad, I haven't the slightest, so whom better to ask than, .............well everyone!

Thanks
 
So what is the benefit/failures of an aluminum vs steel prop? I'm quite new to boating, one person told me that the alum flexes more and that's bad, I haven't the slightest, so whom better to ask than, .............well everyone!

Thanks
Steel is stiffer and can therefore put more power to the water. It's also more expensive to repair/replace.
 
Ericscher, Are you feeling ok? I was super excited to see your technical response to the steel vs. Aluminum question.

BC, larger HP motors benefit greatly from SS props as the amount of power sent to the prop is maximized by the stronger material. Lower HP motors don't receive the same degree of benefit. I gained 2 mph with SS. Not enough to justify the $500+ investment for a prop.

Now, hit a submerged item with your aluminum prop, it will surely bend and cost you $200 to replace. Hit a submerged object with SS, the prop likely will not be damaged. Hit it hard enough, it will cost you $thousands to replace your lower unit with SS.

There are pros and cons to both. In my offshore boats, (I'm from FL originally) I only ran SS. On a pontoon with a small hp motor like mine, aluminum makes sense (after championing SS on here and finally realizing the error in my thinking) 150hp and above..... it'd be a tough call depending on depth and likelihood of striking a hidden object.
 
I was just wondering because right now using gps (mind you it is on my cell phone, but was bang on while driving in my vehicle) I max out at 20mph @5300 rpm I gain no extra speed from 5300 to 6000. I have a 2 toon 2075 GLi, with a four-stroke 90hp Yamaha. I'm sorry, at the moment, I can't recall what prop I have on there. I know it is aluminum, but I will check the pitch etc. And post that too. I'm going to start another post called "help me make my boat better" where I have a few other questions, I realize I'm getting off topic!

Thanks

Just went and looked and my prop says 13 5/8 x 13 k
 
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Some don't think a stainless prop is a good choice because it is strong and won't break as easily as an aluminum prop, thereby risking lower unit damage if you hit something. Note that the Merc SS props have a PLASTIC hub insert (TorqFlo II)which is what can protect the lower unit gears when striking something.
 
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