Mercury 50 HP 4 Stroke on 26M

[hvolkhart]

What typ of prop is best suted for my 26M.
The dealer I bought the motor from gave me a diameter 10 1/2 with a 11 pitch.
Is that something to go with?

[James V]

There is several threads on this. If you are planing to put a lot of stuff in your boat then a 14" with a 10 pitch is best. If you are sailing in a area where you might NOT HIT very hard stuff like stumps or coral heads, then the Stainless steel prop is best.

Try this thread - http://macgregorsailors.com/phpBB/viewt ... highlight=

[Moe]

If hvolkhart didn't get a BigFoot, he won't be able to use a 14" diameter prop. 10" pitch would be okay with the 2.33:1 gearing of the BigFoot, but it, much less 11", is too much for the 1.85:1 gearing of the standard foot model, which typically uses small diameter props like 10-1/2".

Numerically, an equivalent pitch would be (1.85/2.33) x 10" = 8" for the 1.85:1 gearing in the small foot, however, the smaller diameter prop has less grip on the water and slips more, so perhaps a 9" pitch would be a good starting point.

[craiglaforce]

I would get the largest diameter prop that could be fitted. Even 1 inch larger diameter will make a big difference.

regarding pitch, a 10 or 11 pitch should be fine.

[Robert]

Assuming a 3000 lb. pontoon boat is the best simulation of a Mac26:

The recommended prop is:
Black Max Silver - Designed for Pontoon Boats
48-42738A13 Pitch 8
Top Speed 17.4 mph

For 4000 Lb. Pontoon Boat (like ballasted Mac26) the theoretical pitch is 6.99 nd estimated top speed is 14.9 mph, if you could get a 7 pitch prop. For the 50hp BigFoot the same top speed of 14.9 is available with a 9 pitch prop.

115 hp EFI would push the Mac26X with ballast (4000 lb. pontoon boat) 21.4 mph, or without ballast (3000 lb. pontoon boat) 23.7 mph

http://www.mercurymarine.com/prop_selector

Tohatsu makes a 4 bladed 7 pitch prop that may be able to have the press in hub swapped to make it fit your Mercury outboard.