George Dimas

[gdimas]

Michael,

I recently purchased a 1987 18 foot 2+3 Donzi. The boat only had 62 hours on it. I discovered the boat had an after market prop 21 pitch Elite 1. When I purchased the boat the people at the marina told the Donzi was just a 50MPH boat. I read in the specification data that the boat was delivered with a 23 pitch prop. I talked to a few people at Mercury and they said the best prop for maximum performance (top speed) would be a Mercury Mirage Plus 23 pitch.or a Mercury Laser 2 with 23 pitch. Can you help me make a decision in purchasing the right prop for this Donzi.

Thank you,

George Dimas

[tom freeman]

big grizzly is a expert and a dealer

[justleft]

Turbo also gives good bow lift.

[DDX]

if i remember correctly those boats came with a cleaver prop 23" if it had the 260 hp engine. they all went 62-63 mph and performed all around well. when the mirage came out it was equiped with a 23". the mirage + is a slightly different prop and my feeling is it loads the engine down a bit. since the old mirage is not made, the replacement is the quicksilver brand "mirage", which in quicksilver is the "thunderbolt" prop, which is the old mirage casting. it is how mercury markets the old mirage design.

[gdimas]

DDX

The quicksilver "thunderbolt prop" that you make mention to. Is that prop manufactured by Mercury ?

Prop selection is so critical. I am hoping someone with the same set up as myself can share with me the ultimate choice in prop selection that will provide me with the best top end speed.

Thank you,

George

[jg480]

George, I don't think you will be happy with the 23p mirage plus. I also have an 87 18'c, I tried a 23p mirage plus and only got about 4200 rpms at wot. I am currently using a 21p turbo 1 with decent results. I still have the original 23p cleaver and you would be welcome to try it or the turbo. I don't live that far from you and my wife works at a high school in Warren.
Jim

[Sam]

George, bring your boat down to Lk Cumberland next spring. You can probably try several props there made by Turbo. Before I switched to an Alpha SS I had my best luck with a Turbo. Great top end and made the boat more stable. Give me a shout sometime.

Sam

[chappy]

George, I don't think you will be happy with the 23p mirage plus. I also have an 87 18'c, I tried a 23p mirage plus and only got about 4200 rpms at wot. I am currently using a 21p turbo 1 with decent results. I still have the original 23p cleaver and you would be welcome to try it or the turbo. I don't live that far from you and my wife works at a high school in Warren.
Jim
Similar story here. My 87 18 came with a 23 cleaver. I tried a 21 cleaver. I now run a 21 Turbo Vector I bought from Big Grizzly on the board. I still have the 21 cleaver, I gave the 23 cleaver away. The 21 cleaver is barely faster but all over the place at wot:eek!:, the turbo gives me the best ride and is much more stable at wot:boat:.
Rich

[BigGrizzly]

I would add mu 2 cents but your hearing from the people them selves.