Frequently Asked Questions

Have a question or having trouble getting the most out of your Roost propeller? Here are some common questions and answers that might help:

Q: Is the Roost propeller balanced?

A: Yes! Every Roost propeller goes through our proprietary static and dynamic balancing process. Each propeller’s balance is tuned until it meets our strict balance requirements ensuring you have a smooth running prop every time.

Q: Can I run my Roost propeller through mud or sand?

A: Yes! Roost propellers utilize a heavy duty construction and are built to take a beating. The patented design retains performance much longer than conventional mud props, as it wears down from use in mud and sand.

Q: How long does the Roost propeller last?

A: The Roost propeller retains like-new performance over 5-times longer than conventional mud props. Like any propeller used on a surface drive mud motor, the exact propeller life depends on how and where you use it. The general rule for maximum life is don’t run mud if you don’t have to. With conventional mud propellers you don’t have much of a choice to avoid mud because they are dependent on digging in mud to get and stay on plane. Since the Roost is able to get and stay on plane in shallow water without digging in mud and sand, the user is able to further extend propeller life. The Roost propeller is made from 15-5 Stainless steel, which is commonly used in conventional mud propellers. When used in mud and sand, you will see typical wear marks and rippling on the propeller, but the performance won’t degrade like it does on a conventional mud prop. This ability to sustain wear and still perform like-new is thanks to the Roost’s patented design.

Q: How does the Roost propeller do with heavy hunting loads?

A: In general, the Roost propeller does well with heavy loads. One notable attribute of the Roost propeller is it’s ability to push a heavy boat WITHOUT the need to trim the propeller deeper. It also is very good at holding the boat on plane in a turn. This can be a particular advantage with a heavy load. Due to the countless combinations of boats and motors that hunters run, it’s not possible to guarantee a particular level of performance, especially on boats which are loaded beyond the US Coast Guard ratings. Things like boat weight, hull design, motor design, motor gear ratio, engine HP, and altitude greatly impact performance.

Q: What does 12 x 11 mean?

A: This is a common designation to describe the size of a propeller. The first number is the diameter of the propeller (the distance from tip to tip). The second number is the pitch of the propeller blades. For more information on how propellers work, please refer to the Prop Selection page.

Q: How do I know if my motor will run the Roost?

A: Please refer to Prop Selection for how to determine if the Roost will work on your motor.

Q: Why does it seem like my engine is bogging when I’m trying to get on plane?

A: This is most likely because you are trimmed down too much. Trim up until your RPMs increase a little. Trimming down deep works well with conventional mud propellers, but the Roost propeller is designed to function near the surface of the water and in aerated water. If you trim the propeller too deep under water or into deep mud, it may prevent the engine from achieving sufficient RPMs to get the boat on plane.

Q: How should I trim my motor for maximum speed?

A: Maximum speed will usually be achieved with somewhere between 50-60% of the propeller submerged in the water. This is a general rule, and may vary depending on the boat/motor combination you are running. Please refer to the Tips and Tricks section on the Prop Selection page for more information.

Q: Are your propellers weedless?

A: Yes! Roost propellers feature a swept leading edge and special geometry to help keep you weed free.

Q: Will the Roost work with turbo charged motors?

A: It depends. Widespread use of turbos on mud motors is still relatively new. Because of this there is a very wide range in the way each engine is tuned and in the performance each user is getting from their setup. Since each person’s turbo setup performs so differently from the next, it’s not possible to predict how it will work on your turbo setup. The only way to know for sure is to try one and if it doesn’t run how you like, return it for a refund.

Q: I can’t get my boat on plane using a conventional mud propeller no matter how deep the water is. Can using the Roost fix this?

A: It’s difficult to give a one-size-fits-all answer to this question. This is a fairly common problem with conventional mud propellers. In short, if other mud propellers allow your engine to rev to approximately 3600 rpm or higher and are unable to get the boat on plane, then it is possible the Roost may be able to get your boat on plane, due to its ability to keep the engine from over-revving during hole shot. Keep in mind that heavier boats require deeper water to float and get on plane. Heavier boats may also require you to be more active on the trim in order to get on plane when using the Roost. ie- starting with the motor trimmed up a little until RPMs are 2400-2800, and then trimming down as required to keep the RPMs between 2600-3000 until the boat planes all the way out; once on plane, trim to normal running position. Please keep in mind, these are general guide lines and may not work in all cases. It is very possible to load a boat so heavy that you simply lack the HP and gear ratio, or have simply exceeded the operating limits of a propeller.

Q: I have a brand new engine, how come it seems like my engine struggles to spin the Roost?

A: If your engine is struggling due to engine break-in, the good news is this is a short- term problem and will go away with use. New engines require a break-in period before they will generate full HP. This means new engines will have a slightly “soft” or “weak” sensation and may struggle to push certain boat/load combinations, until they break-in. This is most obvious in the first 20 hours of operation. Roost Marine propellers are designed to provide optimum performance on engines which are broken-in, since that’s where your engine will spend most of its life. This means Roost Marine propellers may feel “stiff” or “heavy” when used on a brand new engine. If your engine is struggling, reduce the weight of your boat until the engine has at least 20 hours on it. Ex: take fewer people, dogs, gear, batteries, extra fuel tanks. For more information about engine break-in and its effect on performance, refer to the Tips and Tricks section in Prop Selection.