1981 25hp Evinrude prop question

D

Don Schwader

Member
Guys I spent most of the summer fixing up a 15ft Starcraft runabout & making a duck boat out of it. I asked many questions and you gave me some helpful advice. I have been using a 1981 Evinrude for power its been doing a great job!! The boat loaded with 850lbs. (My best estimate) tops out at 21.3 on my GPS. Last week I got a little prop damage nothing serious no bad vibrations so I'm going to wait till our waterfowl season is over to replace it. Here's my question...Does anyone here know what prop was standard on the 25? I think the performance I'm getting from the motor is good as it gets up on plane very easy, but would anyone here recommend a different pitch prop? Lastly I've been told I can get the prop rebuilt and it would cost about 1/2 of what a new prop would cost. Are there any pitfalls to a rebuilt prop or is it a good choice to save money? Thanks guys!!
 
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Don I think it would be better to have it rebuilt. There was a discussion in the duck blind by my partner on props but I forgot to take notes. Maybe it was a lecture. During that time there was mention of several places in Wis that rebuilt props. Since you seem pleased with the performance of your prop I would stay with the same pitch.
 
hi don, i have an '84 evinrude 25 tiller with an original prop. ill see if can tell what pitch it is. im surprised that motor pushes your starcraft. yours is a 20" shaft im assuming? i have the same boat that im still rebuilding and have a 50hp tiller waiting for it. should be just about right for my needs. best, mark
 
It does a great job!! It puts the boat up on plane very fast and my GPS says with 2 guys, decoys and my dog 21.2 is top speed. My motor does not have thru prop exhaust I think that yours does don't know if that makes a diff. or not. but this motor really does a good job.
 
Hi Don. Lemme tell ya about rebuilt props....

As the self proclaimed king of destroying props, I used to budget 2 prop rebuilds per season here on Champlain. I had a 28 hp Special Evinrude. After boogering up my original prop and loosing part of the season waiting for repair, I bought a spare and kept it in the boat along with the neccessary tools for an on the spot prop repair.

Every time I had the prop repaired, it ran great until the next time a found a new rock. Each of my props had been rebuilt MANY times by the time I sold that motor. I would not hesitate to have one rebuilt, or use a rebuilt one.

John Bourbon
 
First thing to get the right prop you need a tach on the engine to see what RPM you have running wide open. Then check the manual or sticker for the correct engine speed and change prop to make it right. Your engine should run at 4500 to 5500 RPM. Stock props for your motor are 9 1/4 X 7, 9X9, 9X10 and 9 1/4 X 12. That gives you a LOT to play with. I also would be out of business without rebuilt props, fear not- an good rebuilder can actually improve on the prop. Get a tach and then see what you have, it doesn't have to be a boat mounted one. Good Luck
 
Definitely rebuild. Also, keep your eyes out for a back-up. I'm sure some marina somewhere has a beater on a nail somewhere. You can either use it as a back-up OR if it's in good shape use it as your primary and use your boogered up one as a back-up. I have 4 props for my 40 with 3 different pitches and they've all been rebuilt.
 
Don, have it rebuilt. Most prop shops do a great job and I used to chew mine up pretty good when hunting/fishing in Maine. I have even pulled off the lower unit and had them put it in a jig and put a new Skeg on after I ripped mine off. If you are planing out just fine, before the damage and after, just rebuild. If you have porpoising problems, try a whale tail. Good luck!
 
Don, I have 2 25hp Johnsons, both had an 11 pitch prop on them soIi would imagine that was the "stock" pitch. I bought a 13 for one motor and a 12 for the other so I know that both of those pitches are available. The 13 is a little much but the 12 is just about perfect for my load.
 
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