1700 explorer F115 Yamaha Prop Recomendations

[DRH1175]

I have a 2005 Explorer with a F115 Yammy and need a recomondations. Currently I have the stock White Prop in 19P and I get somewhere between 5800 and 5900 RPMs. Looking at the Yamaha Pro series. What have others had good luck with?

[dkf]

An 18P or 19P 3-Blade S.S. prop should work good for you. Some S.S. props are recommended to go down one pitch when going from aluminum to stainless due to the more agressive profile of the stainless prop.

A Yamaha Pro series prop is going to be expensive around $500. You may want to take a look at Solas or Michigan S.S. props they are less money and will work just as good. I have a Michigan Rapture 20P or 21P S.S. 3-Blade (17 Mr. Pike 130 Yam)and got rid of the stock alum prop..... What a huge difference it made. You will be happy going to stainless.

[Smeds]

I would also agree with the SS.

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[Northlander]

I have the same boat and motor and Im running a 18 SS that I had done by Jay Soderbloom. He cupped it and put some exhaust holes in it and it gets me about 4700 rpm and it holds in turns great. Top end and hole shot are good. On average I get 39 or 40 mph full and 43 mph when light.

Check out Jay Soderbloom at www.soderbloom.com Jay knows his props and can get you a prop delivered to your house cheaper than you can get them in retail stores.

[kjgmh]

Northlander, if you are only getting 4700rpm that is too low for a F115, range is 5-6000rpm, with best results in upper half of that range.

[DRH1175]

I just bought a rapture 17p SS I have been told this is a very aggressive prop and doesn't act like a 17P. I hope I like it better than that White thing my boat came with. Not so much worried about top end since the boat is fast enough. Actually more concerned with cornering and handling in bigger waves. Heard the cupping on the SS will help with that. There is absoulutly no cup on my Factory Yammy prop.

[dkf]

Quote:

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Northlander, if you are only getting 4700rpm that is too low for a F115, range is 5-6000rpm, with best results in upper half of that range.

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I agree, you should be getting 5700rpm when trimmed at WOT. The prop you have sounds like its loading the motor too much which could result in bottom end damage to the motor.

My Rapture has Holes in as well. The holes are supposed to let some exhaust out and induce mild cavitation during a holeshot so the motor doesn't bog as much.

The only concern I had with my Rapture when I bought it is it has some runout (wobble) in the casting. However I have had no problems after 3+ years with the prop and it is balanced well.

The 17P Rapture you got for your boat should work good. The Rapture is aggressive and really bites the water as well as adding bow and transom lift. Money well spent IMO.

[DRH1175]

Thanks, Have heard good things about the rapture. I am excited to test it out when it comes. The aluminum has worked. However I really want to use it as a spare. With no cupping I just feel the Rapture should be a much better prop for my rig. I ended up getting it for $200 flat. I had a chance on a Pro Series in 19P but much more money I didn't think I would notice enough difference to justify. And from what I heard. Rapture is just about as good of a prop.

[zachp]

A question for those of you that have the 1700 explorer and Yamaha 115. How does that motor troll down as far as trolling cranks? I am looking at something similar to the 1700 and am debating on whether to get a 90hp or the 115.

[Scott K]

I dont have the 1700, but I do have the Yamaha 115, great motor, get the 115, you wont be sorry.

My 115 only trolls down to about 3.5, but if I throw a sock out it drops to 1-2, good enough !

[DRH1175]

For cranks it is perfect. Sometimes I even give it a little nudge more than idle. If you want to troll down for live bait. Deffinilty will have to use a sock. The 90 & 115 will troll about the same since they are turning the same size prop. Only with the 115 you will be much happier with the added hp. It will help big time getting out of the water. Get the 115 end of story. I absoululty love this motor!!

[zachp]

The boat I am thinking of getting is a 04 17' angler with the 115 yammy. Reason i asked about trolling it down is I can get a brand new T8 kicker with remote and power tilt for a pretty good price and am considering puttin it on the boat. Any thoughts on the kicker as far as why or why not you would want one on this boat?

[PerchJerker]

It's your money so you need to decide if it's worth it to you. For my money, the F115 trolls too fast for cranks in many situations. Unless you prop it for trolling or throw out bags, you likely won't get under 2.5 and might not even get that low.

One thing many people do not understand about 4 strokes is that even though they are quiet and idle very smoothly, they idle "fast" compared to other motors. A 115 Opti or 115 E-tec should troll down slower than a 115 4-stroke.

I have a good buddy that had a 1750 Fishhawk with a F115. Great boat and motor setup but trolled too fast in many situations. He put a T8 on as quick as he could and never trolled with the 115 again.