I have a 2024 Mercury Pro XS 115. I bought a standard aluminum prop to have in the boat if needed. I’m wondering if there’s any reason I should have the prop enhanced in any way to improve performance. I’m sure I should have bought a stainless prop but my budget doesn’t allow for that.

The question is how is the Aluminum prop performing now. At wide open throttle (WOT) and the boat trimmed out your RPM should be at or near the top of the rpm band. In your case 6300 RPM. If your not within a couple hundred of that RPM number then having the prop pitch worked could help.

I’ve only opened it to full throttle once. It reached 45 mph at 5500 rpm. I had it trimmed up till I didn’t like the prop sound but I’m not educated on trim (tilt really) enough to know what’s too much. It’s a Tracker Pro Team 190 TX.

Bunch of folks here on the TFF recommend/use Steve's Custom Props (903) 763-0200 in Yantis, TX. Give him a call and tell him what you got. You'll need to know the size (pitch) of your prop when you speak with him.

Not sure what you have.

You bought an aluminum prop "to have in the boat if needed".

Is this just a spare prop to get you home if something happens? If so, leave it alone. It'll get you home, and you'll have money to buy jerk baits.

If it's your main prop, and you are concerned about performance, then you need to get an SS prop. If you can't, then stay with what you have. Don't sound like you are really a "go fast" guy.

My guess, you could spend a bunch of money, get you a Tempest or a Fury, and get 5, at the most 10, more MPH. I can't see that boat doing 60.

I'm sort of curious of what you are running for a prop in your speed test.

I'd buy jerk baits and go fishing.

My prop is 13.2x21. Yes, it’s a spare prop I carry in the boat. Eagle Mountain is home to big rocks in shallow water. I use my lake chart to navigate because some places right now are about 2’ deep in the middle of the lake. Some points extend 100’ out where the water is less than 2’ deep. I. Overly cautious I know but having to call a lake towing service one time cost more than the prop. I usually limit my speed to 30-35 mph just because the lake isn’t that big and it uses a lot less gas. Just wondering if it would be worth the money to tune my spare prop. Mostly just so I could go the same speed with less throttle.

Simple Answer:

I would not spend money tuning an aluminum prop, period, particularly one I was carrying for spare.

I agree with that carrying a spare prop is a good idea. I have one in my Skeeter. It's a 25P, while my main prop is a 23P. If I ever need it, it won't run like my main prop, but it will get me home.

Just curious, what do you have on the 115 now?

13.2x21