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 Prop/Mods? 
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Post Prop/Mods?
I have a stock GTR 37 efi on a SeaArk Mudrunner 180. 2 years old and am looking to get a new prop. Don't run in a ton of mud, but do have heavier loads during duck season. Lakes, rivers and bays are my main hunting.

I want to be able to plane off which is a struggle sometimes with a full load. Top end is nice, but the main thing is going faster than an idle. Prop recommendations?

I am looking for lower cost mods that can be done. Suggestions?

School teacher budget. I know I am getting a prop and want to do some mods if $ allows.

Thanks in advance for the help.


Wed Oct 16, 2019 8:34 am
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Post Re: Prop/Mods?
Whats your budget? XD lower or cast?

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Wed Oct 16, 2019 11:47 am
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Post Re: Prop/Mods?
Call Marcus or Will C. Send them your heads and get their suggested cam to match. It’s not cheap but it’s best bang for the buck. For around $1K you will see a night and day load carrying difference.

I run Marcus’s heads and hunting cam, and it’s very capable. Have 85-90 hrs on the heads he did, and put in a cam later and now have 50 hours with heads and cam. Huge difference over stock.


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Wed Oct 16, 2019 12:39 pm
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Post Re: Prop/Mods?
If you want a prop for good too end, good holeshot, and good load carrying, you need to get a mercury 2 blade, send it to Baggy’s, and let us work it for you.

Out of all the props out there right now that we work, the merc 2 is the all around best according to our customers


Wed Oct 16, 2019 12:57 pm
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Post Re: Prop/Mods?
Prodigy sells a worked 2 blade. 11 pitch prop with 1" of pitch added. They sell for $425. Good deal?
I am new to all this so please excuse my ignorance on the subject.


Thu Oct 17, 2019 7:25 am
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Post Re: Prop/Mods?
I honestly don’t see why that wouldn’t work for you. The 11 pitch may be a little much for a stock 37, but at the same time, those merc 2s are higher pitched out the box than a lot of the others.

If you are located close to houma louisiana, let me know and I’ll let you try a merc 2 before you buy one so you can see if you like the way it performs before you invest some cash in one bud


Thu Oct 17, 2019 1:16 pm
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Post Re: Prop/Mods?
I am in Middle Georgia, but I appreciate the offer.


Fri Oct 18, 2019 7:26 am
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Post Re: Prop/Mods?
For a little more than the price of a prop that will offer little improvement, you can get beadwork done and actually see long term and significant improvement.


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Fri Oct 18, 2019 8:43 am
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Post Re: Prop/Mods?
Just changing the prop will not gain you much. If you want to see big results you have to make big changes.

Heads are a great starting point but you will need a better flowing exhaust as well. Remember it will to flow out just as well as it flows in.

Heads usually run between $500-650 depending on the mechanic you go with. Exhaust usually in the $600 unless you can find a good used one.

You will also probably need to have it tuned also once changing the components out.

At the end of the day these are all lawn mower engines. The can be made to do some very impressive things but it ain't cheap to do so.

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Fri Oct 18, 2019 9:04 am
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Post Re: Prop/Mods?
my original prop is worn pretty badly. I need a spare so I figured I would get the best I could to haul a load and use mine as a spare.


Fri Oct 18, 2019 9:42 am
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Post Re: Prop/Mods?
What was your original prop and did it meet your expectations? If so get the same prop. If not start the prop game. Every boat is different and will respond differently to different changes. Your best bet is to get with other people that are willing to allow you to try their prop on your boat. Being that your engine is stock it will not be able to turn a very aggressive prop. If you are looking for a prop to carry a load, it'll be hard to beat a 2 blade. I'd look into either a Merc 2 blade and if anything just get it balanced and have the leading edges sharpened. No need to add pitch since your motor is stock.
If you order the prop from Gator Tail for $265 and have it shipped to Baggy, it'll still be cheaper than what Prodigy charges.

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Fri Oct 18, 2019 12:12 pm
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Post Re: Prop/Mods?
I am happy with my prop just joy riding, but it does not handle a load very well. I want to do the 2 blade so I can haul all my crap duck hunting.


Tue Oct 22, 2019 7:17 am
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Post Re: Prop/Mods?
Changing props isn’t going to be a dramatic load carrying fix. Heads and/or cam is where you need to be looking.


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Tue Oct 22, 2019 12:59 pm
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Tue Oct 22, 2019 4:12 pm
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Tue Oct 22, 2019 4:48 pm
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Post Prop/Mods?
Sure I did the same thing as noted here. Burnt a big blade up bad in sand and clay. Let me clarify, if your prop is in good shape, then swapping to another prop is likely not going to be what really fixes your load carrying issues. If yours is burnt like mine was, then sure that could be the culprit.

Given it’s a sea ark and a 37efi, that’s a heavy boat and a stock motor. I’d bet if the prop is good, valves and head work would be what he really needs.

My rig, when stock, was slow and didn’t carry a lot well regardless of prop. Engine work was what was needed.




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Tue Oct 22, 2019 5:01 pm
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Post Re: Prop/Mods?
Different types of props can make a huge difference too. With some props, I only run 35ish, with others, I run in in the low 40s. The type, condition, and work done to the propeller of choice make a huge difference


Tue Oct 22, 2019 7:39 pm
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Post Re: Prop/Mods?
I understand that doing engine work will make a big difference. Issue is that I only have one prop. It is the original 3 blade that came with it. It is worn down, beat up and in bad shape. I want to get a new prop and want to get one that will be the best load carrying prop whether I stay stock or not. I want to have a spare. By getting a new prop and getting the best I can use with a stock motor I have accomplished the issue of not having a spare and given my boat/motor the best shot at getting me where I need to go when loaded down. I appreciate all of the help. I ended up getting a fat blade and had it shipped straight to baggy to work it. Saved me money doing it that way rather than buying the worked prop from the prodigy site.


Thu Oct 24, 2019 7:43 am
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Post Re: Prop/Mods?
Now I have to fix the other problem which is it is not running well at all. I am going to adjust the valve lashes this weekend to see if that clears it up.


Thu Oct 24, 2019 7:45 am
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Post Re: Prop/Mods?

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Thu Oct 24, 2019 6:47 pm
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Thu Oct 24, 2019 7:36 pm
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Post Re: Prop/Mods?
I would love to get the heads done along with other things, BUT I teach school so I don't have a big budget and just purchased a new prop so I am going to have to do the best I can with what I have and do what work on it I am able to do.


Fri Oct 25, 2019 8:04 am
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Post Re: Prop/Mods?
Local machine shop or lawnmower mechanic will probably do a valve job for you for fairly cheap, and that would help it out. Mine charged $8 per valve. It's not complete headwork done right, but itll solve leaking valves and get you back to better power. You'd have to buy a set of gaskets, but that's still reasonable compared to the 650 for getting the heads worked by someone that knows what they're doing.

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Fri Oct 25, 2019 8:15 am
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Post Re: Prop/Mods?
A worked CA-57 will be your best bet.

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Wed Oct 30, 2019 10:47 pm
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Post Re: Prop/Mods?
That ca57 is a good prop when worked. Runs good on the top end and carries a load well


Thu Oct 31, 2019 6:15 pm
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Sun Nov 03, 2019 7:16 am
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Post Re: Prop/Mods?
Merc 2 is great too. Best hunting prop is a fat blade or a hammer. Not the best top end, but imo, best out the hole and best load
Carrying


Sun Nov 03, 2019 8:26 pm
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