I'll double check the clearance on my mirage plus . . . I don't think I have much more than 1/2" . . . which is going to be about the same as what you'll have. Unmolested 17P Mirage Plus Props are less than $200 all year long on ebay. You could always go to a merc prop dealer and ask to try one out first
or see if someone on the site might loan you one for the day.