Turning Point is introducing the new Legacy series high performance propeller line. Legacy propellers have the same proven high performance designs as Hustler propellers, but now utilize a "square hub" design that is compatible with your current Michigan Wheel Vortex or Mercury Flo Torq hub.
Legacy propellers will also adapt to Turning Point's new MasterTORQUE hub system. The MasterTORQUE hub is a innovative one piece design that is much more stronger and resilient that other square hub designs.
If a boater has a Michigan Wheel or Mercury interchangeable prop and hub, they can now simply buy a High Performance Legacy propeller that will adapt to their current hub, and also increase their performance.
Following in the Legacy of the Hustler....
Legacy aluminum propellers will be available early in 2008.
Monday, December 10, 2007
Monday, December 3, 2007
New MasterTORQUE Series
Turning Point Propellers, Inc is introducing the MasterTORQUE Series Propellers. This new series will incorporate the MasterTORQUE hub. Compatible with the Michigan Wheel Vortex and Mercury Flo Torq hub systems, the MasterTORQUE has greatly improved on it's predecessors quality.
The MasterTORQUE Hub System is cushioned by advanced polymers and reinforced by brass tabs. The polymer cushion absorbs damaging shift shock and harmful vibrations, while the one piece design is much simpler to install that competitive hubs.
The MasterTORQUE Hub will adapt to all interchangeable propellers from Michigan Wheel and Mercury as well as the new MasterTORQUE series propellers from Turning Point - Legacy, Patriot and Voyager.
Details on this new series will be included on Turning Point's Web site early in 2008. If you have any questions please contact us at sales@turningpointpropellers.com
The MasterTORQUE Hub System is cushioned by advanced polymers and reinforced by brass tabs. The polymer cushion absorbs damaging shift shock and harmful vibrations, while the one piece design is much simpler to install that competitive hubs.The MasterTORQUE Hub will adapt to all interchangeable propellers from Michigan Wheel and Mercury as well as the new MasterTORQUE series propellers from Turning Point - Legacy, Patriot and Voyager.
Details on this new series will be included on Turning Point's Web site early in 2008. If you have any questions please contact us at sales@turningpointpropellers.com
Monday, February 26, 2007
What is pitch?
Propeller pitch is the theoretical forward movement of a propeller for one revolution, assuming that there is no prop slip. For example, a 21 pitch propeller will theoretically move 21 inches for every revolution. Propeller slip occurs with every propeller, but the amount of slip varies depending on propeller design. More aggressively and efficiently designed propellers will slip less.
When selecting a propeller pitch for your boat, it is important that the propeller runs at the upper end of your engines wide-open-throttle RPM range. If you want your RPM's to increase, go down in pitch. To decrease RPM's, go up in pitch. As a general guide, for every 2" of pitch, RPM's will change approximately 400 RPM's.
For water sports or extra people on board, you should generally drop 2" of pitch to help compensate for the added weight and drag on your boat. It makes a noticeable difference in your boat's hole shot, fuel efficiency, RPM's, and overall performance. You should ALWAYS carry a spare propeller on board, and if you're into water sports or occasionally load the boat with extra people, a spare prop with a lesser pitch is a good idea. When thinking a propeller pitch, compare it to a gear on car - lower gear, higher RPM's.
The same pitch from different manufacturers will run slightly different RPM's due to a difference in blade design. Speed differences among the same pitch from various manufacturers will vary even more. For example a 17 pitch from one brand could run up to 7 mph faster than a 17 pitch from another brand.
Pitch is the 2nd two digits that are listed in a propeller item description (14-1/4 x 19, 19 is the pitch, 14-1/4 is the diameter)
When selecting a propeller pitch for your boat, it is important that the propeller runs at the upper end of your engines wide-open-throttle RPM range. If you want your RPM's to increase, go down in pitch. To decrease RPM's, go up in pitch. As a general guide, for every 2" of pitch, RPM's will change approximately 400 RPM's.
For water sports or extra people on board, you should generally drop 2" of pitch to help compensate for the added weight and drag on your boat. It makes a noticeable difference in your boat's hole shot, fuel efficiency, RPM's, and overall performance. You should ALWAYS carry a spare propeller on board, and if you're into water sports or occasionally load the boat with extra people, a spare prop with a lesser pitch is a good idea. When thinking a propeller pitch, compare it to a gear on car - lower gear, higher RPM's.
The same pitch from different manufacturers will run slightly different RPM's due to a difference in blade design. Speed differences among the same pitch from various manufacturers will vary even more. For example a 17 pitch from one brand could run up to 7 mph faster than a 17 pitch from another brand.
Pitch is the 2nd two digits that are listed in a propeller item description (14-1/4 x 19, 19 is the pitch, 14-1/4 is the diameter)
SpeedZone Stainless Steel Propellers
Maximum Performance Series
150 - 300+ hp w/ a 4-3/4" gearcase
For the "Go-Fast" crowd
SpeedZone propellers take the next step in high performance to best harness the power of high performance bass boats and powerful sterndrives. Greater blade area and more aggressive design features deliver optimum acceleration and top end speed.
Get maximum exhaust flow for higher horsepower with our MasterGuard Hub System. The durable design won't leave you stranded with a spun hub during an important fishing outing. Carry an inexpensive spare Hustler aluminum propeller as a backup or to get into the real shallow waters you normally wouldn't want to run a stainless steel propeller.
Express Propellers
The Express propeller from Turning Point Propellers provides all-around high performance for everyone from pro fishermen to weekend boaters. This stainless steel prop is ideal for just about any engine from 40 to 300+ hp with a 4-1/4" or 4-3/4" gearcase.
Delivering maximum speed and secure handling on tight turns at wide open throttle, the Express propeller is perfect for bass, walleye, family fishing, offshore and runabout boats. The unique blade design, available in 15", 17", 19", 21" or 23" pitches, allows for versatile use and gives boats a quicker hole shot, faster time to plane and greater lift.
At the heart of the Express prop housing is Turning Point's redesigned MasterGuard interchangeable hub system. Smaller and stronger, the hub utilizes a high-tech polymer material that efficiently absorbs damaging shift shock and engine vibrations. The small diameter allows optimal exhaust flow for better fuel efficiency and peak horsepower.
They can be purchased at select boating stores. Boaters can find more information and the nearest dealer at www.turningpointpropellers.com.
Delivering maximum speed and secure handling on tight turns at wide open throttle, the Express propeller is perfect for bass, walleye, family fishing, offshore and runabout boats. The unique blade design, available in 15", 17", 19", 21" or 23" pitches, allows for versatile use and gives boats a quicker hole shot, faster time to plane and greater lift.
At the heart of the Express prop housing is Turning Point's redesigned MasterGuard interchangeable hub system. Smaller and stronger, the hub utilizes a high-tech polymer material that efficiently absorbs damaging shift shock and engine vibrations. The small diameter allows optimal exhaust flow for better fuel efficiency and peak horsepower.
They can be purchased at select boating stores. Boaters can find more information and the nearest dealer at www.turningpointpropellers.com.
Friday, January 12, 2007
Express Stainless Steel Boat Propellers
High Performance Series
40 - 300 hp w/ a 4-1/4" & 4-3/4" gearcase
Express stainless steel propellers are the perfect propeller for bass, walleye, family fishing, offshore boats, run-a-bouts, and weekenders.
Express gives boats maximum speed and secure handling on tight turns at wide open throttle.
Do you use your boat for waterskiing, tubing, or putting extra people on board for a cruise around the lake or down the river? Purchase a 2 nd propeller at a lower pitch to help compensate for the added weight and drag. You will notice a big improvement in how your boat performs under those conditions.
Don't forget you can carry a spare Hustler aluminum propeller that will adapt to the same hub.
Thursday, January 11, 2007
Aluminum vs. Stainless Steel
The decision between purchasing an aluminum or stainless steel propeller can be difficult. However if you fully understand the differences between them, your decision can be much easier.
The most common understanding of the difference is that stainless steel propellers perform better than aluminum propellers. This is only half true. Material (Stainless vs Aluminum) only accounts for approximately 10% of the actual performance of the propeller. The other 90% of performance is in the blade design.
Well designed aluminum propellers will out perform an average stainless steel propeller. So it's important to research a propeller's performance before your purchase. It is also important to try different pitches and brands to get your boat dialed in to the best possible propeller.
The advantage of a stainless steel propeller over aluminum is durability. Stainless props can withstand more of the damage caused by small rocks, sand, or other loose objects in the water.
However, the disadvantage to a stainless propeller is that there is ?minimal give" to the blades, so if you hit an object hard enough, there is a possibility of causing major damage to your lower unit is increased greatly. With aluminum props, the blades will most likely sacrifice themselves before any damage is caused to your lower unit.
If you run in deep or familiar waters, or in salt/brackish water, a stainless steel propeller can be a good choice. But it is important to always carry a spare propeller on board, and a spare aluminum is an inexpensive choice.
The most common understanding of the difference is that stainless steel propellers perform better than aluminum propellers. This is only half true. Material (Stainless vs Aluminum) only accounts for approximately 10% of the actual performance of the propeller. The other 90% of performance is in the blade design.
Well designed aluminum propellers will out perform an average stainless steel propeller. So it's important to research a propeller's performance before your purchase. It is also important to try different pitches and brands to get your boat dialed in to the best possible propeller.
The advantage of a stainless steel propeller over aluminum is durability. Stainless props can withstand more of the damage caused by small rocks, sand, or other loose objects in the water.
However, the disadvantage to a stainless propeller is that there is ?minimal give" to the blades, so if you hit an object hard enough, there is a possibility of causing major damage to your lower unit is increased greatly. With aluminum props, the blades will most likely sacrifice themselves before any damage is caused to your lower unit.
If you run in deep or familiar waters, or in salt/brackish water, a stainless steel propeller can be a good choice. But it is important to always carry a spare propeller on board, and a spare aluminum is an inexpensive choice.
Wednesday, January 10, 2007
Hustler Propellers Increase Performance
Turning Point's Hustler High Performance Series aluminum propellers now feature the newly designed MasterGuard Hub System. Created specifically to give boats a higher top-end speed, better handling, a faster hole shot and more efficiency, Hustler propellers maximize overall performance. The aluminum propellers incorporate the same high performance designs found in stainless steel props to give boaters a less expensive way to gain stainless steel like performance.The High Performance Series is designed for all engines ranging from 40 hp to 300 hp with 4-1/4" to 4-3/4" gearcases. The interchangeable hub allows boaters to save money on future prop purchases, since spare or different pitched propellers don't require another hub purchase.
Turning Point recommends that every boat have a spare propeller onboard to insure a day on the water isn't ruined by a broken prop or to allow for adjustments in different situations. Using a prop 2" in pitch less makes a big difference when more people are onboard or the boat is being used for watersports. The smaller pitch helps offset the added weight and drag on the motor and increases performance under these circumstances.
Why not run a damaged propeller?
Continuing to use a damaged propeller can cause damage to the gearcase and ultimately the power head of your motor. When a propeller has sustained damage, it will not spin true, thus creating excessive vibrations that will transfer all the way into your motor.
A damaged propeller will also not perform as well as a new propeller because the damaged parts of the blade can degrade hydrodynamic efficiency.
A damaged propeller will also not perform as well as a new propeller because the damaged parts of the blade can degrade hydrodynamic efficiency.
Monday, January 8, 2007
Choosing the right propeller
To some, choosing the right boat propeller can seem like a job for a marine service center. Anything that has to do with the backend of the boat can be a scary thing. Despite popular belief, choosing the correct propeller for a particular boat and motor is actually a fairly simple thing to do, once you understand what a propeller really is.
First think of propeller as a gear, whether it be on a car or even a bicycle. The lower the gear, faster hole shot, more power, but revolutions are much faster so at a point you can only turn that gear so fast until you over rev the engine (or you legs). Now think of your car stuck in only 5th or 6th gear, very slow out of the hole, little torque, but eventually it will catch up with itself so you can cruise to a good speed.
The same basic concept applies to propellers, except with a prop you are committed to only one “gear". So what to do now? Find the prop size that will give the best overall performance. Sound difficult? It's really not.
Your engine has a recommended wide open throttle rpm range. Let take an example of an18' boat with a 125 hp engine with a rpm range of 4500-5500. In most cases you purchase a boat with some sort of propeller on it. Let's say this motor has a 21 pitch prop on it and at wide open throttle under a normal boat load, the engine turns 4900 rpms. Well it's in the range so it's the correct prop, right? Well yes and no. For the health and longevity of the engine it's okay, but for overall performance, you want to run a propeller near the top of the range. Well how do you change the size to get that?
Remember this rule of thumb: For every 2" of propeller pitch, rpm's will change approximately 400 rpm's. As you drop in pitch, rpm's increase, and as you go up in pitch, rpm's decrease. So if we want to raise our rpm's we should choose a lower pitch prop. Following the rule, going down to a 19 pitch should raise our rpm's to about 5300. That would help the hole shot and also gain us some more speed.
As you follow the rule of thumb, remember that sometimes rules are meant to be broken. This is not an iron clad rule, sometimes varying 2" of pitch will only change rpm's by 200. Switching prop brands or manufacturer, it can sometimes throw off the rule too.
At this point the most important thing to understand is that less pitch means more rpm's, more pitch means less rpms. For your boat to perform at its peak, you need to run at the upper end of your engine's recommended rpm range. That's it. Once you're there and still want more speed, handling, lift, etc, that's when choosing the right propeller brand comes into play.
Here's a simple adjustment you can make to improvement performance under varying boatloads: If you normally run with one other person on board, use that boatload as your measurement when determining your wide open throttle rpm's. But if you sometimes load the boat with 2-5 more people or try pulling a water skier or tube, get another prop 2" of pitch lower than your normal prop. It will compensate for added weight and drag and make a huge improvement on performance in these circumstances. But remember to keep an eye on you rpm's when running a lower pitch for these circumstances.
Most props have the size marked somewhere on the prop, either on the barrel, on the blades, or in the front or back of the propeller. Use that pitch that you're currently running as your starting point. If it's already running correctly then that pitch is your pitch.
First think of propeller as a gear, whether it be on a car or even a bicycle. The lower the gear, faster hole shot, more power, but revolutions are much faster so at a point you can only turn that gear so fast until you over rev the engine (or you legs). Now think of your car stuck in only 5th or 6th gear, very slow out of the hole, little torque, but eventually it will catch up with itself so you can cruise to a good speed.
The same basic concept applies to propellers, except with a prop you are committed to only one “gear". So what to do now? Find the prop size that will give the best overall performance. Sound difficult? It's really not.
Your engine has a recommended wide open throttle rpm range. Let take an example of an18' boat with a 125 hp engine with a rpm range of 4500-5500. In most cases you purchase a boat with some sort of propeller on it. Let's say this motor has a 21 pitch prop on it and at wide open throttle under a normal boat load, the engine turns 4900 rpms. Well it's in the range so it's the correct prop, right? Well yes and no. For the health and longevity of the engine it's okay, but for overall performance, you want to run a propeller near the top of the range. Well how do you change the size to get that?
Remember this rule of thumb: For every 2" of propeller pitch, rpm's will change approximately 400 rpm's. As you drop in pitch, rpm's increase, and as you go up in pitch, rpm's decrease. So if we want to raise our rpm's we should choose a lower pitch prop. Following the rule, going down to a 19 pitch should raise our rpm's to about 5300. That would help the hole shot and also gain us some more speed.
As you follow the rule of thumb, remember that sometimes rules are meant to be broken. This is not an iron clad rule, sometimes varying 2" of pitch will only change rpm's by 200. Switching prop brands or manufacturer, it can sometimes throw off the rule too.
At this point the most important thing to understand is that less pitch means more rpm's, more pitch means less rpms. For your boat to perform at its peak, you need to run at the upper end of your engine's recommended rpm range. That's it. Once you're there and still want more speed, handling, lift, etc, that's when choosing the right propeller brand comes into play.
Here's a simple adjustment you can make to improvement performance under varying boatloads: If you normally run with one other person on board, use that boatload as your measurement when determining your wide open throttle rpm's. But if you sometimes load the boat with 2-5 more people or try pulling a water skier or tube, get another prop 2" of pitch lower than your normal prop. It will compensate for added weight and drag and make a huge improvement on performance in these circumstances. But remember to keep an eye on you rpm's when running a lower pitch for these circumstances.
Most props have the size marked somewhere on the prop, either on the barrel, on the blades, or in the front or back of the propeller. Use that pitch that you're currently running as your starting point. If it's already running correctly then that pitch is your pitch.
Friday, January 5, 2007
MasterGuard Hub System
Turning Point Propellers Inc. has improved on the best by redesigning its industry-leading MasterGuard interchangeable hub system. The new hub is now smaller, stronger and less expensive.Utilizing a high-tech polymer material, the new hub efficiently absorbs damaging shift shock and engine vibrations, while incorporating an inventive design that won't leave boaters stranded and frustrated with a spun hub. Its small diameter allows optimal exhaust for better fuel efficiency and peak horsepower.
The new hub design is used in all propeller lines Turning Point produces - Rascal, Hustler, Express and SpeedZone propellers. The new hub design adapts to a variety of propeller sizes, giving boaters an inexpensive option of purchasing different propeller pitches to fit on the same hub.
Wednesday, January 3, 2007
New 9.9 Series Propellers
NEW PROPS MAXIMIZE LOW HP ENGINE POTENTIAL
Well-designed propellers can enhance engine speed and performance. Now, with Turning Point Propellers' newest additions to the Rascal series, boaters can squeeze more pull out of their 9.9 to 15 hp outboards with a 2.5" gearcase.
The high-quality Rascal aluminum propellers sport increased blade surfaces and improved geometry. Available in 11" and 13" pitches, the props feature specially formed cupping to eliminate common ventilation problems. Perfect for inland or coastal fishing and cruising, they bring high-performance to low horsepower engines.
Each Rascal propeller housing features Turning Point's MasterGuard hub system. The interchangeable hub employs a high-tech polymer material that absorbs damaging engine vibrations and shift shock. Differently pitched or spare props don't require a separate hub so modifications are simple and inexpensive.
The new Rascal Series is available now.
Well-designed propellers can enhance engine speed and performance. Now, with Turning Point Propellers' newest additions to the Rascal series, boaters can squeeze more pull out of their 9.9 to 15 hp outboards with a 2.5" gearcase.
The high-quality Rascal aluminum propellers sport increased blade surfaces and improved geometry. Available in 11" and 13" pitches, the props feature specially formed cupping to eliminate common ventilation problems. Perfect for inland or coastal fishing and cruising, they bring high-performance to low horsepower engines.
Each Rascal propeller housing features Turning Point's MasterGuard hub system. The interchangeable hub employs a high-tech polymer material that absorbs damaging engine vibrations and shift shock. Differently pitched or spare props don't require a separate hub so modifications are simple and inexpensive.
The new Rascal Series is available now.
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