Chopper Props

[grahamf]

I am confused by the various terminology used to describe chopper props. Can some one explain the difference between chopper I and chopper II, and small ear and large ear.

Are these props still made by Mercury ?

[pyro]

The types differ by diameter, blade width and hub style.
Aquaholic will most likely reply soon with the correct answers to your questions. He's a chopper maniac...

[steve]

Small ear--early--hub protrudes out the back. Blades are thin , narrow , and very fast. They also crack easily.

Intermediate--30P made with rake like the small ear and narrow blades, but with the same metalurgy and main casting of the big ear--not many of these around and they are not the greatest according the Aquaholic

Big Ear=Chopper 1--later style--hub recessed in back
(The early chopper1 or Big ear had a completely pressed in hub, while the newer style had 3 notches in back and a seperate rear pc for the nut lock .) A4 casting is thinner then A5.

Chopper 2---no weed cutters, Flo Torque hub , otherwise looks like the Big Ear.


Correct me, but this is what I have always understood to be the terminology.

[grahamf]

AQUAholic,

Thanks very much for the advice and the pictures - could not have asked for more information.

I now know that the two that I have been using are Chopper I small ear.

I run a Mercury 200 HP Opti 2002, and am getting about 68 mph on a Ring 21 sportsboat.

Many Thanks for the help.

Graham

[baja200merk]

a 30'pitch chopper or cleaver i understand thats wut ill need for the upcoming vector?!

[pyro]

Graham-
You'll need a BIG ear on a 21 foot anything...

Lots of good cheap prop deals this time of year. Do some christmas shopping...

[grahamf]

Thanks for all the advise. My boat is quite light, and seems to run well with the small ear choppers, in a variety of sea conditions. The previous prop - Laser II 23 inch, caused uncontrollable chine walking, which I do not seem to suffer with using the chopper.

Do you think the big ear would be better still, or would the larger blade areas bring back the chine walking ??