Mercury Marine says its newly announced SpitFire X7 stainless steel propeller is made from a proprietary alloy that is 30 percent stronger and four times more durable than conventional steel, giving the new prop greater strength and speed.
Cast with Mercury’s X7 alloy and incorporating design elements learned from experience with the company’s aluminum SpitFire prop, Mercury says its SpitFire X7 demonstrated improved acceleration, top speed and holding ability compared to other stainless steel propellers in its class – including Mercury’s own high performance Laser II. Rigged on a 17-foot Triton Explorer test bed powered by a Mercury 115 hp four-stroke, the new SpitFire X7 prop not only achieved faster acceleration than the Laser II (0 – 30 mph in 13.6 seconds, versus 16 seconds), but also logged a higher top-end speed of 49.8 mph, versus 48.3 mph for the older prop.
“A high-performance propeller is the most cost-efficient way to improve a boater’s experience, and for the 75 to 115 horsepower outboard class, the SpitFire X7 delivers,” said Jared Reichenberger, brand manager for Mercury Propellers. “With gains of up to 1.5 miles per hour and substantial acceleration improvements versus other stainless propellers, the SpitFire X7 is the new benchmark in performance for midrange outboard engines.”
The new SpitFire X7has begun shipping to Mercury dealers in 15-inch, 17-inch, 19-inch and 21-inch pitches. It will also work on 40 to 60 horsepower outboards with Command Thrust lower units.