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Author Topic:   160 Dauntless, OptiMax 115-HP Propeller

WWhaler fan12 posted 04-12-2010 08:45 PM ET (US)
I recently bought a 2001 160 Dauntless with a Mercury OptiMax 115-HP swinging 13 1/4 X 17 APOLLO SS propeller. The boat also has a TURBO-LIFT brand lift hydro-foil installed. The [Mercury 115-HP OptiMax] over-revs when trimmed out, and takes a lot of juice to get up on plane. [Give] suggestions on a new propeller. I was thinking either a 13 X 18 VENGEANCE or similiar LASER II. I can only run 3/4-throttle when trimmed out.
[The model year of this Mercury OptiMax was mentioned, but it was after 2007, and, as we know, Mercury motors no longer have model years after that epoch. I believe that this engine is what Mercury at one time called OPTIMAX THE NEXT GENERATION or OTMG, and now just calls an OPTIMAX, but it is distinguished by the use of a globe decoration on the cowling. Perhaps we can get confirmation of the globe decoration on the cowling to help identify the motor under discussion. Thank you.]
Tom W Clark posted 04-12-2010 09:36 PM ET (US)
Lose the foil fin.
Try a 19-inch Mercury Trophy Plus.
Be sure the motor is mounted at least two holes up on the transom.
Marlin posted 04-13-2010 10:43 AM ET (US)
It's not often that I would want to disagree with Tom, but unless the the 115 Optimax has a much higher gear ratio than the Mercury 115 4-stroke at 2.07:1 (not likely) or much more torque than the 4-stroke (okay, maybe), I think you'll find that 19" pitch is a bit much. My 115 4-stroke runs the boat very nicely with a 17" Trophy Plus with medium vent plugs.
Oh, and I wouldn't be too fast to ditch the foil, either. Just make sure the engine is mounted high enough that at 3800+ RPM, the foil running mostly out of the water. It sure is nice to be able to keep the bow down on a slow plane when it's choppy.
-Bob
Tom W Clark posted 04-13-2010 11:17 AM ET (US)
Bob -- Larry has let everybody know the OptiMax 115 is really a 150 HP outboard motor ;-)
Tom W Clark posted 04-14-2010 11:17 AM ET (US)
I have both a 17" Trophy Plus and a 19" Trophy Plus in my basement if anyone wants to test (or buy) a prop.
Both are like new.
Ridge Runner posted 04-14-2010 12:29 PM ET (US)
Tom, Do you think the 19" on the 2002 Montauk 170 repower with the Optimax 115 Pro XS? - Joe
Tom W Clark posted 04-14-2010 01:48 PM ET (US)
No, the Montauk 170 is a much lighter hull and will do better with the three blade 13-1/4" x 19" Stiletto Advantage 4.25.
WWhaler fan12 posted 04-14-2010 04:00 PM ET (US)
Thanks for the input guys. I do have the newer GEN 2 style engine it is mounted 2 holes up the transom, but the foil still under the waters surface when the engine is trimmed in. I believe the transom notch confused the previous owner on how high to mount the engine.

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Author	Topic: 160 Dauntless, OptiMax 115-HP Propeller
WWhaler fan12	posted 04-12-2010 08:45 PM ET (US) I recently bought a 2001 160 Dauntless with a Mercury OptiMax 115-HP swinging 13 1/4 X 17 APOLLO SS propeller. The boat also has a TURBO-LIFT brand lift hydro-foil installed. The [Mercury 115-HP OptiMax] over-revs when trimmed out, and takes a lot of juice to get up on plane. [Give] suggestions on a new propeller. I was thinking either a 13 X 18 VENGEANCE or similiar LASER II. I can only run 3/4-throttle when trimmed out. [The model year of this Mercury OptiMax was mentioned, but it was after 2007, and, as we know, Mercury motors no longer have model years after that epoch. I believe that this engine is what Mercury at one time called OPTIMAX THE NEXT GENERATION or OTMG, and now just calls an OPTIMAX, but it is distinguished by the use of a globe decoration on the cowling. Perhaps we can get confirmation of the globe decoration on the cowling to help identify the motor under discussion. Thank you.]
Tom W Clark	posted 04-12-2010 09:36 PM ET (US) Lose the foil fin. Try a 19-inch Mercury Trophy Plus. Be sure the motor is mounted at least two holes up on the transom.
Marlin	posted 04-13-2010 10:43 AM ET (US) It's not often that I would want to disagree with Tom, but unless the the 115 Optimax has a much higher gear ratio than the Mercury 115 4-stroke at 2.07:1 (not likely) or much more torque than the 4-stroke (okay, maybe), I think you'll find that 19" pitch is a bit much. My 115 4-stroke runs the boat very nicely with a 17" Trophy Plus with medium vent plugs. Oh, and I wouldn't be too fast to ditch the foil, either. Just make sure the engine is mounted high enough that at 3800+ RPM, the foil running mostly out of the water. It sure is nice to be able to keep the bow down on a slow plane when it's choppy. -Bob
Tom W Clark	posted 04-13-2010 11:17 AM ET (US) Bob -- Larry has let everybody know the OptiMax 115 is really a 150 HP outboard motor ;-)
Tom W Clark	posted 04-14-2010 11:17 AM ET (US) I have both a 17" Trophy Plus and a 19" Trophy Plus in my basement if anyone wants to test (or buy) a prop. Both are like new.
Ridge Runner	posted 04-14-2010 12:29 PM ET (US) Tom, Do you think the 19" on the 2002 Montauk 170 repower with the Optimax 115 Pro XS? - Joe
Tom W Clark	posted 04-14-2010 01:48 PM ET (US) No, the Montauk 170 is a much lighter hull and will do better with the three blade 13-1/4" x 19" Stiletto Advantage 4.25.
WWhaler fan12	posted 04-14-2010 04:00 PM ET (US) Thanks for the input guys. I do have the newer GEN 2 style engine it is mounted 2 holes up the transom, but the foil still under the waters surface when the engine is trimmed in. I believe the transom notch confused the previous owner on how high to mount the engine.