Mirage vs Laser on a 20 SF

[Blue_Heron]

I'm looking for the difference in WOT rpm for a Laser vs a Mirage prop of the same pitch. Has anybody here run both props on the same motor/hull and can tell me if there's any difference?

I've heard that the Laser is a better choice than Mirage for a 20 SF. I'm currently turning a 14 1/4 x 21P Mirage with a Merc 200 carb motor. It turns about 5200 at WOT. I want to try a Laser and get the RPMs up to about 5600-5800 at WOT. I'm thinking I'll need to go to a 19P to get the RPMs up, but I don't want to get them too high.

Thanks for any input,
Dave

[Bigshrimpin]

Blue - I run a 19 Mirage Plus and I can turn 5800rpm with my old Merc V225. Just sold my spare Mirage Plus 19 this week.

[eggsuckindog]

I want a Lazer myself, it appears to have alot of Rake to it compared to the Mirage. I have a standard Merc SS wheel and need longer blades with more Rake as its up high. Sounds like a 19 for up though.

[Blue_Heron]

I want a Lazer myself, it appears to have alot of Rake to it compared to the Mirage.

That's what I'm thinking. The increased rake should have two advantages, better holding when run at or near the surface, and better bow lift. Also, the blades on the Laser are supposed to be thinner, so there's less drag.

So, is anyone running a 19 or 21 Laser on a 20 SF with a 200?

[lost2a6]

If this helps, I used to have a 20ft Sceptre with a 200 Yamaha that I was running a 21 pitch Lazer II. Running pretty light it would turn 5400-5500 RPM and about 54-55 MPH. If anyone is interested I have a 22 pitch lazer II and LH/RH 21 pitch Mirage props that I need to sale.

[Blue_Heron]

If this helps, I used to have a 20ft Sceptre with a 200 Yamaha that I was running a 21 pitch Lazer II.

Thanks, that helps. Did you ever run a 21 Mirage on your Sceptre? I'm trying to get a sort of side-by-side comparison on the same platform.

[spareparts]

make sure when you are compareing the Mirage to the Laser, you note if it is a Mirage, or a Mirage Plus. the early Mirage had a lot of blade surface, and didn't work well with outboards( it was designed for the bravo drive). The redesigned Mirage Plus was designed to work with outboards and sterndrives. I know when I worked at a dealer that sold new SeaCrafts, they came with Mirage Plus from the factory, only problem was the motors were mounted too high and they would blow out in turns or when trying to get on plane in sloppy seas. When we dropped the engines down one hole, they wouldn't turn up to spec, we had to drop them down to the next pitch. When you prop your boat out, make sure it will perform in all conditions, not just at wot

[Blue_Heron]

When you prop your boat out, make sure it will perform in all conditions, not just at wot

Thanks, spareparts. I'm only using WOT rpm as a guage of whether it's under or over propped. I want the WOT rpm slightly higher than Merc spec so it's not lugging at cruise speeds. In sloppy seas, I have to throttle down to 3000-3500 rpm and the motor doesn't seem happy there with the current prop.

[eggsuckindog]

You should use WOT with your average load to determine correct prop size, now you have to deal with how they work with hull but still size it that way.

[lost2a6]

Thanks, that helps. Did you ever run a 21 Mirage on your Sceptre? I'm trying to get a sort of side-by-side comparison on the same platform.

Never did, I was happy with the Lazer II. It got on plane with ease and hauled arse.