[Bushwacker]

I've had 3 Michigan props; they make good stuff. The plastic hub of the new 2-piece hub system is significantly more robust than the plastic piece of the Merc system. The aluminum versions typically have more ductile alloy than the factory props, which means they'll bend rather than break if you hit something, so they're easier to repair. I had an MWC aluminum 13 3/4 x 15P 3B for a spare when I had a 115 on my boat and it was perfect for heavy loads. Your boat is probably lighter than my Seafari, so you could probably run a 14 1/4 x 17P on your boat. I'd stay with the aluminum version till your sure how much load you'll typically have, as a good prop shop can rework it + - 2" in pitch to get it dialed in so you're turning max rpm with the heaviest load you plan to run. If you're stern heavy and can't plane down to about 12 mph, consider a 4 blade prop and maybe even a Doelfin, both of which will give you more stern lift. If you run in rough water a lot, it's nice to be able to plane at low speed!

I now have 2 MWC props, a 4B 14 x 20 Vortex (aluminum) and a SS 4B 14.125 x 20 Apollo as spares/light load props. Had the Vortex repitched to 18", so it's a good heavy load prop. The Apollo is the most efficient light load prop I've run; I also tried a 3B SS 15 1/4 x 17P Mirage 3+ that everyone raves about, but the Apollo turned the same rpm, was about 3 mph faster, would plane about 5 mph slower and was about .5 mpg better in fuel consumption! Have tried 4B SS 15x17P and 15x15P PowerTech props; currently running the 15x15 for heavy loads, but the Apollo gives me the best mpg of all of them, measured with the I-Command system which uses a gps spedo and fuel flow from engine computer.