Ever try a Piranha composite propeller?

[Richard Lane]

Wondering if anybody has tried the Piranha composite prop on their outboards. I have the 90 Merc on the PT185 and looking for better performance over the stock Merc. aluminum. Tried a Mercury Trophy plus 13.75x21 and it is too much prop (5100 rpm). It rattles the gear case (?) like a 13.25x21 Stiletto I tried. Dealer says: "it's the prop, try another one"). NOT! I have tried 3 SS...all do it. Aluminum don't make this awful noise...So, I am looking at the Piranha 4 blade.

Anybody want the Trophy Plus? Brand new....10 minutes use.

Next boat will have a Yamaha!!!

Any comments appreciated.



LT

 

[Richard Lane]

Jamey,



In this case you were right. However, most folks I talked to including Merc folks said otherwise and the Merc props will work just fine. Whatever...I am done with SS on this motor and MERCURY in general when I trade..

I do intend to get a Piranah becuase of the 30 day money back guarantee. Can't lose this time. Just wanted to hear if you anyone had run one. Guess you haven't....



LT

 

[stan jones]

whats the price on the trophy and does it a 115 also? stan

 

[Tom Johnson]

I have a 2001 targa 17 with 125 merc got one for mine and was a good thing lakes are low here and

I went across a gravel bar and all I had to do is change out 1 blade. I got a new 4 blade alum different pitch but use the Piranha when I go to a lake that I don't know. Great prop no problems.

 

[Rob LaMoy]

I didn't say I didn't believe you, just that if I paid that much for a 90, I want to be able to put a SS on it if I want! Merc should do a recall. All your doing is putting a prop with less flex on there. Shouldn't make noises. I'm sure it does given all the posts about it, but that to ME, means, something is very wrong with the design! Just my .02

 

[Richard Lane]

Rob,



Yeah, don't it just piss you off! If I had known about this situation I wouldn't have bought the PT185. I looked at others and really liked the Yamaha 115 but I let my pocket book get in the way and bought the Tracker instead. I guess you get what you pay for. I can't get Mercury folks to even acknowledge there is a a possible problem. They tell me to try more ss props....I have bad props! Hog wash. I will run the thing until next season and trade away from Tracker/Mercury and live it for now.



Oh, I ordered a 4 blade Piranha today. 13x20. Should be ok...it doesn't weigh much. Should handle nicely, too.. We'll see.......



LT

 

[Rob LaMoy]

Watch that synthetic prop, too light and you may rev to redline. That's worse for sure. Take it from me, you don't want to rebuild ANY top ends OR lower units! LOL

 

[Richard Lane]

If anybody wants to know about the Piranha propeller, here goes:



Tracker PT 185-90 Mercury. Me, 3/4 tank gas, fishing load.



Got the 4 blade 13x20 prop in today. Excellent quality and fitment. Blades just push right in. All there is is the hub, top cap, and the blades. Installed with only the nut and washer. The Piranha weighs 4lbs...same as the Mercury aluminum 3 blade.

At the lake I knew it wasn't enough pitch at idle speed. Just wasn't pushing enough water. Anyway, the boat jumps on plane but was painfully slow. I gave it full throttle and it zipped right past the 5500 rpm top speed. I let it touch 5900 rpm just to see. Obviously not near enough pitch. So....back to the drawing board. I will exchange the 4 20 inch blades for 4 22 inch blades but this will take a while to complete. 22 inch pitch for this prop should be just about right. If not I will get 24 inch blades! Yeah, I hear you but I'm telling you this prop is funky! The factory guy at Piranah suggested the 20 inch and I didn't think it would be enough because it is only 13 inches in diameter but who am I? He was wrong but no big deal.



The boat handles great with the 4 blade. No blowing out in turns or cavitating when trimmed or at the hole shot. Trims up high and lifts the bow easily (for an aluminum boat). Not as good as a Mercury Trophy 4 blade but close. Minimal steering torque which I like alot. Smooth....REAL smooth and balanced. I like the prop and look forward to having it in the right pitch. I suspect it is still going to be slow but I am willing to give up some speed for handling.



The big question: Does it make the rattling noise in the motor? NO. Way smoother than the aluminum ....like all props should be! I fired off a nice letter to Mercury about this but that's another topic....



LT