I talked to him about getting one for my rig. He suggested I needed his 12 x 12 Cleaver prop for my boat.

I think I will give it a shot before I try replacing motors! LOL


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I got my prop back from Hopkins today. The prop now measures about 11 7/8". He smoothed it out and doubled the cup on the MB Big Blade. The hole shot is the same and picked up about 2 MPH. The thing I like about it is that it seems to perform just like the new BB, however it has dropped my RPMs back down to 3800 (due to added cup) while running at the sweet spot. I was running around 4150.

I am satisfied with the prop.

I just picked up a cleaver from him, yesterday. Gonna hopefully give it a run on Monday.


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Yeah, Peck has been preaching to me about that bushing fit. If I have any doubts about the make-up, I will send it to PD and let them put it in their lathe. First appearances, Hopkins did a really slick machining job on the hub. It is the 12 x 12. I think it will help me out a little. Hopefully, keep me at full RPM's and give me a little better load carrying dropping an inch in pitch and half inch on diameter. Hopefully, I feel comfortable with the fit and I will take it for a ride, Monday.


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My 45 would push the bb easily to 4700.

Say what?

All depends on his typical load. But I'd run set that motor up to run mid 4000's with whatever that load may be.

Well, it looks like I will need to send the Cleaver to PD or bring it by there, myself. The bushing didn't drop into the Hopkins prop as neatly and smoothly as it does into the factory Tulip.

I took a closer look at the Hopkins and could see that the taper was not very smooth at all...it definitely needs a skim cut to smooth it out. There were ridges all the way down the taper of the bore. Bummer.

Why don't you bring that back to Hopkins & let him make it right

Thought of that...but, I want it "right."

From what I have been told, this has been a little "tweak" that his lathe is not able to remedy. Maybe he takes too big of a bite to make his cuts? I don't know. But, I was made aware of this issue by PD and on here. Not knocking the guy at all because I am confident he is very knowledgable about props and prop design. I don't know if his lathe or his cutting tools are set up to do this taper the right way, though.


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Blue, I think guys running those props have mods to be able to spin them better. Not sure how well a stock engine will do with modified prop.

Its not about stock vs mods being able to turn the prop. It's just about getting the prop over the tapered bushing properly. There is too much play between the bushing and the taper in the prop. PD will put it in their lathe to smooth out the taper and my stock motor should turn this one fine. It's smaller diameter and less pitch than my stock Tulip.


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I tested the prop I got back from Hopkins on another 45 MAG this weekend. Smaller boat and much more lighter. The engine lost about 600-700 RPMs on this one too and some speed empty and loaded. Hole shot was similar to Big blade. I put my new big blade back on. It seems this prop will be a spare for emergency replacement or unless I add heads and a carb to spin it.

What were the specs on the Hopkins prop again?