300 Sundancer Prop Pitch Question

KStruglia

Member
Oct 18, 2010
40
Southeast PA
Boat Info
2006 300 Sundancer
Engines
Twin 350 Mag MPI Horizon's,
Bravo III
I just purchased a 2006 300 Sundancer which is located in Nevada but I will be using it on the Chesapeake in Maryland. It has twin 350 Horizon Mags with Bravo III's and dual props with a prop pitch of 20". I'm told that the 20" prop pitch is because of the high altitude at Lake Tahoe. The surveyor recommended that I replace the props with a higher pitch and the Sea Ray documentation on their website indicates that 24" pitch is standard. Before I go buy new props, I wanted to see if anyone had any advice on prop pitch for this boat/motor setup in my location.
 
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Here are the prop numbers that came with my boat. I'm thinking for your altitude, this is what you'd want.

Mercury Quicksilver part numbers: (front prop 15-1/2 x 24P = 48-823665A60 ) (rear prop 14-1/4 x 24P 48-823666A60)
 
If you decide to go with the 24 pitch props, there is a user that may have one set for sale. I think they were 24 pitch props. His username is Spot . You could PM him and ask if you decide to go with 24s.
 
Thanks Jeff, but I can't seem to find these part numbers anywhere - any idea what website I might find them listed? Also, won't they have different part numbers for the Left and Right outdrives if they are counter-rotating? Lastly, any idea on the gear ratio for the Bravo III on a 2006 300DA, I was trying to use the Prop Selector function on MercuryMarine.com, but they list 3 different gear ratios (2.0, 2.2 and 2.43) for the Bravo III which drastically impacts the recommended props.
Thanks, Kraig
 
Bridog,
Apparently, the high altitude requires significantly less pitch. I noticed that if I chose the "High Altitude" box on the Prop Selector function on MercuryMarine.com, it significantly reduces the pitch, and with some of the configurations I chose, it actually did come up with 20" pitch for a 300 Sundancer.
 
Thanks Jeff, but I can't seem to find these part numbers anywhere - any idea what website I might find them listed? Also, won't they have different part numbers for the Left and Right outdrives if they are counter-rotating? Lastly, any idea on the gear ratio for the Bravo III on a 2006 300DA, I was trying to use the Prop Selector function on MercuryMarine.com, but they list 3 different gear ratios (2.0, 2.2 and 2.43) for the Bravo III which drastically impacts the recommended props.
Thanks, Kraig

Kraig, the referenced part numbers came from the boxes my props came in from Mercruiser when the boat was delivered. I believe they are stamped on the prop also... I googled them and they came up on ebay and aftermarket resellers. Since 2006, Mercruiser / Quicksilver likely assigned new number part numbers. Because the props counter rotate on each drive, they both share the same prop sets. The gear ratio is marked on the drive, however if you can't get to the boat, the next best thing is the serial numbers for each drive. Through a Mercruiser dealer or by contacting the factory, they can tell you what you have, and possibly what your prop part numbers should be for your new water.
 
Jeff,
Thanks. I had a few hits when I googled them as well. I believe that you are correct as for the part number change over the years. The boat won't be hear for 2 weeks, so I can't look at the drives. I do however have the serial#'s, so I may call the dealer/factory. Another question for you - do you have a 4 blade prop on the front and a 3 blade prop on the back?
 
Kraig, You need to go on www.Searay.com then click "customer support". On the left side of the page is "Parts help". Click on that and than click on "Prop charts" Enter your year and all the info your looking for will be there. Good luck, Brian
 
Kraig, the front and the rear prop are 3 blade. Bridog, that is a good link, I've not used it for awhile and forgot it existed. It looks like only the boats with 6.2's came with a high altitude gear ratio option. It looks like the part numbers have changed.
 
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Bridog,

I had looked at that before, but did not notice that it listed the Gear Ratio (which it has 2.20:1) for my year/engine/drive), so that was a big help. Unfortunately, the part#'s listed there for the props (14.25 x 24 SS RH - part#708206 and 15.50 x 24 SS LH - part#708198) do not seem exist anywhere.
 
Bridog,

I had looked at that before, but did not notice that it listed the Gear Ratio (which it has 2.20:1) for my year/engine/drive), so that was a big help. Unfortunately, the part#'s listed there for the props (14.25 x 24 SS RH - part#708206 and 15.50 x 24 SS LH - part#708198) do not seem exist anywhere.

Those are Sea Ray part numbers, that is why they won't pull up on the web. You need the Merc Part Numbers

As far as I know, 24 Pitch Bravo 3 prop sets are all the same except some can be bought in polished stainless whereas most are non-polished. (Of course within the set, the front and rear prop are different) Someone please correct me if I am wrong on that.
 
Jeff,

I did eventually find the part numbers you originally gave me on Mercury Parts Express (823665A60 and 823666A60), i just needed to eliminate the preceding "48-".
When I used the prop finder on mercurymarine.com (now that I know the gear ratio, thanks to Bridog), it comes up with a recommendation with these part numbers - 8M8022420 - 15.4 and 8M8022420 - 14. Interesting, the front prop is a 4-blade and the rear is a 3-blade. Any idea if the 4-blade 3-blade design is a new improvement over the 3-blade 3-blade originals?
 
Bridog,

Thanks, that makes sense. I should have been able to figure that out!!! I just assumed the part numbers had changed over time. Now I feel like an idiot.
 
Jeff,

I did eventually find the part numbers you originally gave me on Mercury Parts Express (823665A60 and 823666A60), i just needed to eliminate the preceding "48-".
When I used the prop finder on mercurymarine.com (now that I know the gear ratio, thanks to Bridog), it comes up with a recommendation with these part numbers - 8M8022420 - 15.4 and 8M8022420 - 14. Interesting, the front prop is a 4-blade and the rear is a 3-blade. Any idea if the 4-blade 3-blade design is a new improvement over the 3-blade 3-blade originals?

Very interesting, I don't think I've ever seen a 4 blade front and 3 blade rear...I would want a lot of feedback on that set up before I would spring for it. Next time I'm at the dealer, I'm checking out how the 2011's are set up.
 
How are you making out on your prop selection. I run my boat at 5000', so i had my gear ratio changed to 2.43, and I run 24" pitch 3 blade front and rear. My neighbor purchased the new style 4blade and 3 blade combo, and they improved his performance drastically. I was wondering if you tried them on a 300.
 
Since I'm new to boating, I decided not to venture into even newer territory with the new 4 blade 3 blade combo, but rather play it safe with the standard, so I decided to purchase brand new 3 blade / 3 blade 24" pitch props. I just had the boat commissioned and launched 2 weeks ago, and got a little instruction last Friday. Unfortunately the weather has been poor here ever since, and I've only managed to get out 1 time, and everything was so new too me, I forgot to check my RPMs with WOT, so I don't yet know for sure if it's propped correctly - but it better be!. Wish I wasn't so new too boating because I'd like to have tried the 4/3 props.
 
How are you making out on your prop selection. I run my boat at 5000', so i had my gear ratio changed to 2.43, and I run 24" pitch 3 blade front and rear. My neighbor purchased the new style 4blade and 3 blade combo, and they improved his performance drastically. I was wondering if you tried them on a 300.

Do you know which prop has the 4 blades?
 

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