Over the winter I bought 2 used OMC (20" and 22" pitch) Rakers and polished them up, and also purchased a new Mercury Lightspeed 22" pitch. These props needed testing and today the weather was perfect - not to hot and just a slight chop on the water.
First was the Mercury Lightspeed 22" pitch. Same as a Laser II, with a good reputation as a performance prop that holds the bow up. The take off was smooth and gripped better than the Rakers. Bow lifted. Gripped well around the corners. But the top speed was 52.8 MPH at 5,400 RPM, slowest prop tested for the day. Good prop, but perhaps the blades are too big.
Next the two Raker 22" pitch props, one bought as new and the other used. 53.3 and 54.2 MPH at around 5,300 to 5,400 RPM's. The Rakers are not quick out of the hole, and lose grip around the corners, but they are fast and hold the bow high. The motor hums with this prop. With a Raker 22" last fall in cold weather with quite a chop and back wind, the boat hit 55.0 MPH, so 54.2 MPH today in warmer weather and 9 gallons of gas in the back seat was respectable.
Next the two Raker 20" pitch props, both bought used and cleaned up and polished. Thought maybe the 20" pitch would give the boat more top RPM's and increase speed over the 22" Rakers, but the top speeds were slower at 53.0 and 53.5 MPH turning more RPM's, 5,500 to 5,700 RPM.
Don Larkey and his wife stopped by the lake in the afternoon with his over-the-hub exhaust SRX 23" racing prop. The boat did not overrev on takeoff, handled the boat very well, but went only 53.0 MPH at 5,000 RPM. The three men finished the day with a slow, medium, and fast boat ride around the lake to finish off the gas.
In summary, it is hard to beat a Raker prop, I have some props to sell, and the white cap again proved easy to find on the water.
Thanks Gregg, Don, and Don's wife for sharing in this boating event.
