We have a MICHIGAN WHEEL - Apollo XHS 14 1/4" x 17 pitch prop, with a drive ratio of 1.62, mercruiser 5.0l mpi motor. We are getting 50MPH at 5200rpm. Someone gave us a stainless prop with 48 88448A4 21P stamped on it, will this increase top speed?

OR - here's another question if someone can help us, new to this boating sport - first time boaters. What prop would someone be running on a 2004 Baja 20 Outlaw with a 5.0l MPI - 305 motor?

In the immortal words of Montgomery Scott "She's given 'er all she's got cap'n. If I push 'er any 'arder, she's gonna tear 'erself apart."

Short answer: You MAY be able to use that prop. 4" of pitch increase (that's what the 21P tells you) will bring your motor RPMs down somewhere in the 600-800 range. From what I can find, your WOT (Wide Open Throttle) rating is 4400-4800. Ideally you'd want to be towards the mid to high side of that range. 2" of pitch = 300-400 RPM general rule of thumb. Check your owners manual for the correct WOT rating for your motor but if your tach is right and the chart I found is right, you're bouncing off your rev limiter. That's not good but neither is over propping and bogging down the motor.

The big answer your looking for and not going to like... is there any prop that will get you more speed? NO. You might gain a tiny little bit but it ain't gonna be much. Props don't make speed, only connect to the water. Unless the one you're running is in really bad shape.

There's a bunch of them out there but here's a good "Props 101" page I found that I still refer to sometimes: http://www.propmd.com/propeller-basics.html

Good luck

The fastest prop for the 20 Outlaw is a 23p Lazer II bar none (62~mph). Unfortunately, it sucks out of the hole with more than 2 people and it drinks gas. A 21p Mirage Plus will run 58mph all day with 4 people and is great on fuel.

Thank you both for the info - this is definetly a learning experience!!!

I replaced the original 3 blade vengeance prop with a mercury 4 blade vensura prop. The boat is much better out of the hole and almost no proposing. Lost about 2 mph on the top but still in the 55-58 mph range. We are at 2000 ft.

What pitch was the Vengeance and Vensura?

Just thought I would share since there isnt a lot of info on the 20 Outlaw. I have a 2006 20 Outlaw, stock 5.0L with aftermarket open exhaust tips, no trim tabs. A Quicksilver Typhoon 21p 4 blade (same as Mercury Vensura) will run 53 mph @ 5000 rpm's loaded full gas and ~ 600 lbs of passengers/gear. It is quick out of hole and pulls skiers easy. A Mercury Trophy Plus 23p 4 blade will run 59 @ 5000 rpm's with just myself, half gas and no gear. It's not as quick out of hole as 21p Typhoon, but quicker than 23p Mercury Vengeance. Did not get a chance to pull with it. The stock Mercury Vengeance 23p will run 56mph @ 5000 rpm's loaded with full tank of gas, ~ 600 lbs of passengers and gear. Slow out of hole, porpoises bad when trimmed and does not pull skiers easily. All speeds are gps. Maybe that is helpful for someone.

what diameter mirage plus did you run

Old post, but if anyone is looking for a 23 laser 2 I have one that has been collecting dust that I would like to sell.

I’d def be interested been looking for the laser 2 just let me know thanks!