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Thread: all chopper info
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05-02-2013, 01:44 PM #15000 RPM
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all chopper info
Hi everyone,
I’m gathering some info on chopper props.
I’ve found this very usefull link (via Markus, via Pyro) which shows the Mercury chopper history.
http://69.24.70.63/adamsdock/chopper.html
Too bad the pictures aren’t there anymore, a picture overview would be real usefull.
If someone could add pictures of the correct chopper types, your very welcome.
Also I’d like to know how these different chopper types perform.
I mean, why should I go for a small ear or big ear chopper ?
And what’s the performance difference between the 3 big ear types or isn’t their a difference except from the hub ?
Another question I have is about the weedcutters. I’ve read the weedcutters are the reason why they are called “choppers”.
However, some choppers had their weedcutters removed. Why is this ?
When you buy a chopper with weedcutters, will it always fit on the shaft ? Or is sometimes a weedcutter removal necessary ?
If one advertizes a chopper as “cut”, does this mean “removed weedcutters” ?
A chopper is a Mercury product, but there are a lot of chopper-style “round ear props” around.
Tricky question : should one look on the second hand market for the Mercury chopper or a round ear prop equivalent these days….
Thanks for sharing your thoughts and info.
Kind regards, T.
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05-02-2013, 02:31 PM #2
I picked a big ear up the other day and I'm no expert but what I've read says big ear carries a heavier boat like my Checkmate or maybe a Velocity better than a small ear which may be better suited for a smaller, lighter hull like a Hydrostream. Big ear makes more lift to make the hull run drier. I used that same link the other day to figure out what this one is. Some people believe removing the weed cutters helps performance, others disagree.
JohnI was going so slow I almost crashed. - JamesGang
1978 24 Superboat - 250 EFI
Sold: 1991 Starliner - 250 EFI Merc 3.0
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05-02-2013, 07:39 PM #3Team Member
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I've run big ear and small ear choppers on my SS2000. The big ears (2) had spooky handling. The bow was never still and i had to steer continuously. The two small ears I've run were great props for the money. I think the big ears have too much lift for my boat running solo. Very different handling on my boat.
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05-04-2013, 02:42 AM #45000 RPM
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Thanks for the replies guys !
I've found some more info on chopper weedcutters on here :
http://www.screamandfly.com/showthre...cutters-or-not
http://www.screamandfly.com/showthre...-chopper-props
http://www.screamandfly.com/showthre...p-weed-cutters
Does anyone have the original pictures that go with that "adamsdock link" ? They show the complete prop and hub detail.
That would by very usefull to put these up here.
Please share any thoughts on chopper props
Still learning here
Kind regards,
T. :cheer:
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05-04-2013, 08:36 AM #5
The weed cutters had to be ground off to work on my OMC V4 w/ 13 spline shaft.
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05-04-2013, 09:56 AM #6
"A4" 14" x 26 small-ear chopper. Note the protruding aft hub and skinny blades...
"A4" 14.5 x 26 Big-ear chopper, recessed aft hub with no cut-outs (weedcutters have also been cut off this one)
...
"A5" 14.5 x 24 big-ear chopper, recessed aft hub with cut-outs...
Another big-ear, a 28 pitch, with the weedcutters intact...
A5 30p "big-ear" Chopper, the odd-ball of the A5 series... recessed hub, cut-outs, but the blade shape of the small-ear props, and less diameter. Weed-cutters have been removed from this one.
Later A62 series big-ear 30's have the wider 5" blades like other big-ears, and a flo-torq hub.'89 Hydrostream Vegas XT, '90 Merc 2.4 Bridgeport PCU EFI
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05-04-2013, 10:51 AM #7
Hey Pyro, love the flame job on the 14 x 26 small ear. That might be the perfect size for my boat, as now I'm turning past 6500 with a 14 x 24 and 1.78 gears. Trace
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05-04-2013, 10:59 AM #8
I owned most of the props pictured. I did the flame job. Buffing wheel, masking tape, sandpaper.
'89 Hydrostream Vegas XT, '90 Merc 2.4 Bridgeport PCU EFI
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05-04-2013, 02:50 PM #95000 RPM
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wow, great info Pyro, thanks man !!
Some more thoughts :
- As you owned all of those choppers, and I assume you've tested them all on your Hydrostream, is there one type that stands out ?
- Mercury advertizes their chopper II as "an improved version of the original chopper". I immediately believe in "an improved casting technique", but apart from that what could have been improved ?
- Those cut-outs on the later big ear A5 and the chopper II A62... what's their function ? Or is it just weight saving ?
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05-04-2013, 03:01 PM #10
Big ear choppers work good on heavy, conservatively-powered pad-vee hulls.
Small-ears work better in lighter hulls that need less bowlift.
I have 240 HP to work with-- on my boat I only use a Chopper when I have a big passenger load to carry.
The cutouts make it easier to reach the locking washer tabs.
The A62 (Chopper II) is only different because of the hub, and the addition of 30 and 32 pitch models with full-size blades.'89 Hydrostream Vegas XT, '90 Merc 2.4 Bridgeport PCU EFI
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05-04-2013, 03:36 PM #115000 RPM
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all questions answered, thanks !
Time to look for a chopper. 26P big ear, must fit 15spline Yamaha shaft
Chopper props don't sell second hand very often here in Belgium, so this could take a while T.
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05-04-2013, 05:09 PM #12
What are you going to run it on toffy? Hull/motor?
Larry Gempp Jr.
Proud HydroStream Powertour Member
Current Ride - 2024 22 Liberator - 450R
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05-05-2013, 03:28 AM #135000 RPM
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Hi ! My boat is a Phantom 21ft with a strong running Yamaha 200hp V6 2stroke carb
Current prop is a Tempest plus 14 1/2" x 25P. I'm running close to 6000rpm.
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05-05-2013, 06:19 AM #14
The Tempest is a big, strong, load-carrying prop with lots of lift. If you like how it runs, the Chopper is probably a step backwards.
'89 Hydrostream Vegas XT, '90 Merc 2.4 Bridgeport PCU EFI
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05-05-2013, 09:36 AM #155000 RPM
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Hi Pyro,
Yes it could be a step backwards, but it's the first prop I have and I want to know if there is something better out there and test it.
Fairly satisfied on how it runs with the tempest plus. However :
- chinewalk above 100kmh
- hole shot could be better (I'm struggling with my engine height versus vent plug types, I have no low water pickup so i can't go too heigh)
- I feel like topspeed could improve using a 26pitch in stead of 25pitch
- I feel like a over the hub exhaust prop could be better (going to test a 26P Seebold cleaver for that matter, but I don't expect whopping results as it gives off course sternlift)
- I feel like a bit more bowlift is needed