Choosing a replacement propeller involves more than matching the diameter and pitch. If you are installing a Michigan Wheel Vortex, Apollo, or Ballistic propeller that uses the XHS interchangeable hub system, you also need the correct hub kit for your engine. The propeller and hub work together, but each serves a different purpose: the propeller determines how your boat performs, while the hub kit connects that propeller to the engine's propeller shaft.
This Michigan Wheel XHS hub kit guide explains how the system works, what Prop Series A through E mean, and how to identify the right combination for your boat. You can also explore the complete selection of Michigan Wheel products available from Wholesale Marine.
What Is a Michigan Wheel XHS Hub Kit?
Michigan Wheel's XHS system separates the propeller body from the engine-specific mounting hardware. The propeller is designed for a particular XHS Prop Series, while the hub kit is selected according to the engine manufacturer, horsepower or model, model year, spline count, and gearcase size.
An XHS hub kit typically supplies the components needed to mount a compatible Michigan Wheel propeller to a specific propeller shaft. Because the hub is replaceable, you may be able to keep the propeller and install a new hub kit when moving it to another compatible engine or replacing damaged hub components. The new engine must still use the same Prop Series as the propeller.
Benefits of an interchangeable hub system
- Engine-specific fit: The hub kit matches the shaft splines and mounting requirements of the engine.
- More propeller options: A single engine application may accept several compatible Michigan Wheel propeller styles and pitches within the required Prop Series.
- Replaceable components: The hub can be serviced separately from the propeller when replacement is appropriate.
- Potential impact protection: The hub is designed to help absorb shock and may reduce the load transferred to drivetrain components, although no hub can prevent all impact damage.
Michigan Wheel Prop Series A-E Explained
The Prop Series letter identifies the physical XHS interface and general propeller size group required for an engine application. It is not the same as the hub-kit number.
- Prop Series: Determines which Michigan Wheel propeller bodies are compatible with the application.
- XHS hub-kit number: Identifies the engine-specific hardware used inside that compatible propeller.
For example, two engines may both use a Series C propeller but require different XHS hub kits because their shaft splines or mounting hardware differ. Likewise, a hub kit intended for one Prop Series should not be assumed to fit a propeller from another series.
Michigan Wheel applications are organized into Series A, B, C, D, and E. The correct series depends on the engine—not simply on whether the propeller is aluminum or stainless steel. Always use the application information for the exact engine manufacturer, horsepower or model, year, spline count, and gearcase.
How to Find the Correct Michigan Wheel Hub Kit
Use the following process before ordering a propeller or XHS hub kit:
- Identify the engine manufacturer. Start with the outboard or sterndrive brand, such as Mercury, Mariner, Yamaha, Honda, Suzuki, Johnson, Evinrude, Nissan, Tohatsu, Force, or OMC.
- Confirm the horsepower and engine model. Similar engines can use different gearcases or propeller shafts.
- Check the model year. Manufacturers sometimes change gearcases, spline counts, or mounting systems within the same horsepower range.
- Verify the spline count and gearcase size. These details help separate applications that otherwise appear identical.
- Find the required Prop Series. This determines which Michigan Wheel propellers can accept the correct hub kit.
- Select the listed XHS hub kit. Match the exact kit number shown for the engine application.
- Choose a compatible propeller. Compare material, blade count, diameter, pitch, and intended performance within the required Prop Series.
Do not select a hub kit from horsepower alone. If any application detail is uncertain—or if the chart does not specify a kit for your Nissan or Tohatsu Series E application—use Wholesale Marine's Propeller Finder or call our propeller experts at 1-877-388-2628 before ordering.
Michigan Wheel Hub Kit Application Chart
| Manufacturer | Engine Model | Stroke | Years | Spline | Hub Kit | Gearcase | Prop Series |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Johnson/Evinrude | 90-300HP | 1976-1990 | 15 Tooth | 201 | Large gearcase | A | |
| 90-300HP | 1991 Newer | 15 Tooth | 200 | Large gearcase | |||
| 200 & 225HP | 4 | 2004 - 2005 | 15 Tooth | 204 | |||
| 150-300HP (E-Tec) | 2014 & Newer | 15 Tooth | 228 | G2 | |||
| Honda | BF 135-250 HP | 2002 & Newer | 15 Tooth | 207 | |||
| BF 115D | 2011 & Newer | ||||||
| Mercury/MerCruiser | 135-300HP | 1978 & Newer | 15 Tooth | 202 | |||
| Mercruiser Alpha One & Bravo One (<400) | |||||||
| OMC/Cobra Sterndrives | Model 800/Cobra/King Cobra | 1978-1990 | 15 Tooth | 201 | |||
| Model 800/Cobra/King Cobra | 1991-1994 | 15 Tooth | 200 | ||||
| Cobra SX | 1994 & Newer | 19 Tooth | 205 | ||||
| Suzuki | 150-300 HP(Including 4 Stroke) | 1986 & Newer | 15 Tooth | 204 | |||
| Yamaha | 150-175 HP | 1978-1983 | 15 Tooth | 202 | |||
| 150-300 HP (Including 4-Stroke) | 1984 & Newer | 203 | |||||
| 300 HP | 2004-2007 | ||||||
| Sterndrives | 1989-1993 | 15 Tooth | 203 | ||||
| Volvo Penta | SX Sterndrives | 1994 & Newer | 19 Tooth | 205 | |||
| Johnson/Evinrude | 40-75HP | 1968 & Newer | 13 Tooth | 206 | 4-1/4"(Large Gearcase) | B | |
| 60 & 70HP | 4 | 1998 & Newer | 13 Tooth | 210 | |||
| 85-140HP | 1969 &Newer | 13 Tooth | 206 | ||||
| 90 & 115HP | 4 | 2002 -2005 | 15 Tooth | 225 | |||
| 140HP | 4 | 2002 - 2005 | 15 Tooth | 226 | |||
| Force | 75-150HP | 1995-1999 | 15 Tooth | 202 | |||
| 85-150HP(Dual Exhaust) | 1988-1994 | ||||||
|
Honda |
BFP 60 | 2010 & Newer |
15 Tooth |
||||
| BF 75 & BF 90 | 1999 & Newer | ||||||
| BF 100 | 2016 & Newer | ||||||
| BF 115 | 1998 - 2010 | ||||||
| BF 130 | 1998 - 2004 | ||||||
| Mercury/MerCruiser | 40-140HP(Except 135HP) | 1961 & Newer | 15 Tooth | 202 | V4 gearcase | ||
| Nissan/Tohatsu | 60-140 HP | 1987 & Newer | 15 Tooth | 209 | 4-1/4” | ||
| OMC/Cobra Sterndrives | Model 400 Cobra | 1978-1991 | 13 Tooth | 206 | |||
|
Suzuki |
DF 60 | 4 | 1998-2009 |
13 Tooth |
|||
| DF 70 | 4 | 1998-2008 | |||||
| DT 75/85/100/115/140 | 1979-2001 | ||||||
| DF 50AV/60AV | 2015 & Newer |
15 Tooth |
|||||
| DF 90 | 2001-2008 | ||||||
| DF 100 | 2009 & Newer | ||||||
| DF 115 | 2001-2012 | ||||||
| DF 115A & 140A | 2013 & Newer | 15 Tooth | 226 | ||||
| DF 140 | 2002-2012 | ||||||
| DF 70A/80A/90A | 2009 & Newer | 15 Tooth | 227 | ||||
|
Yamaha |
50-100 HP (Including 4-Stroke) | 1984 & Newer | 15 Tooth | 208 | |||
| 115 & 130 HP | 1984 & Newer | 15 Tooth | 203 | ||||
| F115 | 4 | 2000 & Newer | |||||
| 80-140 HP | 1977-1983 | 15 Tooth | 202 | ||||
| Johnson/Evinrude | 40-75HP | 1975 - 2005 |
13 Tooth |
111 | 3-3/4"(small gearcase) |
C |
|
|
Nissan/Tohatsu |
50 HP (50C Only) | 1987-1991 | |||||
| 55 HP | 1981-1988 | ||||||
| 60A | 1986-1999 | ||||||
| 70A & 70B | 1981-1995 | ||||||
| Johnson/Evinrude | 40 & 50HP | 4 | 1999 - 2005 | 13 Tooth |
151 |
D | |
|
Force |
40 & 50HP | 1995 - 1998 |
13 Tooth |
114 |
D | ||
| 70HP | 1991 - 1995 | ||||||
| 75HP | 1996 - 1998 | ||||||
|
Honda |
BF 35 & 45 | 1991 - 1994 |
13 Tooth |
D |
|||
| BF 40/50/50A | 1995 & Newer | ||||||
| BF 60 | 2010 & Newer | ||||||
|
Mercury/MerCruiser |
25HP Bigfoot | 1999 - 2005 |
13 Tooth |
114 |
D |
||
| 30HP (Sea Pro/Marathon) | 1994 & Newer | ||||||
| 30HP | 2 & 4 | 1994 - 2005 | |||||
| 35HP | 1984 - 1989 | ||||||
| 40-50HP | 1974 - 1976 | ||||||
| 40/50/70HP | 1977 - 1984 | ||||||
| 45HP | 1986 - 1989 | ||||||
| 40 & 50HP | 2 & 4 (Not Bigfoot) | 1977 & Newer | |||||
| 48HP(Mariner) | All years | ||||||
| 55HP(Mercury/Sea Pro/Marathon) | 1995 & Newer | ||||||
| 60HP(Not Bigfoot) | 1978 & Newer | ||||||
| 60HP(Mariner) | 1976 | ||||||
| 65HP | 1972 - 1976 | ||||||
| 70HP | Thru 1983 | ||||||
| 80HP(Mariner) | 1977 | ||||||
|
Nissan/Tohatsu |
35 HP (35B Only) | Thru 1984 |
13 Tooth |
D |
|||
| 40 HP | 1984 & Newer | ||||||
| 50 HP (All Except 50C) | 1992 & Newer | ||||||
|
Suzuki |
DT 35C | 1987-1989 |
13 Tooth |
D |
|||
| DT 40 | 1983-1998 | ||||||
| DF 40 & DF 50 | 4 | 1999-2010 | |||||
| DF 40A & 50A | 2011 & Newer | ||||||
| DT 50 & 50M | 1983-1984 | ||||||
| DT 55 | 1985-1997 | ||||||
| DT 60 | 1983-1984 | ||||||
| DF 60A | 2010 & Newer | ||||||
| DT 65 | 1985-1997 | ||||||
| Yamaha | T25 | 2010 & Newer |
D |
||||
| F30 | 4 | 2001-2005 | |||||
| 40 HP & 50 HP (Not T50) | 1984 & Newer | ||||||
| F40 | 4 | 1999 & Newer | |||||
| 48 HP | 1995-2000 | ||||||
| F50 | 4 | 1995 & Newer | |||||
| 55 HP | 1976-1995 | ||||||
| 60 HP | 1976-1991 | ||||||
| F60 | 4 | 1999 & Newer | |||||
| Johnson/Evinrude | 15HP (E-Tec) | 2011 & Newer |
14 Tooth |
E |
|||
| 20HP | 1984-1997 | ||||||
| 25 & 30HP | 1976 & Newer | ||||||
| 25 & 30 HP (E-Tec) | 2009 & Newer | ||||||
| 35HP | 1997 & Newer | ||||||
| 25 & 30HP(E-Tec) | 4 | 2004 - 2007 | 10 Tooth | 121 | |||
| Force | 25HP | 1995-1998 | 10 Tooth | 120 | |||
|
Honda |
BF 25 | 1994 & Newer | 10 Tooth | 110 | |||
| BF 30 | 1995 & Newer | ||||||
|
Mercury/MerCruiser |
9.9. 15HP | 4 Stroke/Bigfoot/Sail | 1999 - 2005 | 10 Tooth | 120 | ||
| 18HP | 1980 - 1985 | ||||||
| 20 & 25HP(Not 4 Stroke) | 1980 - 2005 | ||||||
| 25 & 30HP | 4 (Not Bigfoot) | 2006 & Newer | 10 Tooth | 122 | |||
|
Nissan/Tohatsu |
25 & 30 HP | 1985-2001 | 13 Tooth | ||||
| 25 & 30 HP | 4 | 2002 & Newer | |||||
|
Suzuki |
DT 20 & DT 25 | 1985-1988 | 10 Tooth | 121 | |||
| DT 25C | 1989-2000 | ||||||
| DF 25A | 2014 & Newer | ||||||
| DT 30 | 1983-1997 | ||||||
| DT 30C | 1987-1997 | ||||||
| DF 30A | 2014 & Newer | ||||||
| DF 25 & DF 30 | 4 | 2000-2007 | |||||
|
Yamaha |
20 HP | 1996-1997 |
10 Tooth |
123 | |||
| 25 HP | 1980 & Newer | ||||||
| F25 | 4 | 1998-2006 | |||||
| F25 | 4 | 2010 & Newer | |||||
| 30 HP | 1983-2002 |
Choosing a Michigan Wheel Propeller Family
Once you know the correct Prop Series and XHS hub kit, you can compare Michigan Wheel propeller families. Availability depends on the engine application, Prop Series, diameter, pitch, rotation, and blade count.
Michigan Wheel Vortex propellers
Michigan Wheel Vortex propellers are aluminum propellers designed for dependable everyday performance. They are a practical choice for replacing a damaged factory propeller, carrying as an onboard spare, or adjusting pitch to better match the boat's typical load and operating conditions. Vortex models are available in 3-blade and 4-blade configurations for select applications.
Michigan Wheel Apollo propellers
Michigan Wheel Apollo propellers use stainless steel construction for strength, durability, and responsive all-around performance. They are well suited to boaters looking for a stainless upgrade while maintaining a versatile balance of acceleration, handling, and top-end performance. Select 3-blade and 4-blade Apollo models are available.
Michigan Wheel Ballistic propellers
Michigan Wheel Ballistic propellers are stainless steel performance propellers designed for strong acceleration, efficient lift, high-speed handling, and reduced slip in suitable applications. Ballistic models are a compelling option for performance-oriented runabouts, bass boats, and other boats that benefit from a more aggressive propeller design.
If you are still deciding between materials, read our guide to aluminum vs. stainless steel boat propellers. To learn how diameter, pitch, and blade count affect performance, see Boat Propeller Basics.
Can You Reuse a Michigan Wheel XHS Hub Kit?
An undamaged XHS hub kit may sometimes be reused with another Michigan Wheel propeller that accepts the same Prop Series and hub system. Reuse is not automatic, however. Inspect the hub components for cracks, distortion, corrosion, worn splines, heat damage, and other signs of stress. Replace damaged or questionable parts before operating the boat.
A hub kit does not make every Michigan Wheel propeller interchangeable. The replacement propeller must accept the same XHS Prop Series, and its diameter and pitch must be appropriate for the engine and boat. If the engine has changed, verify the complete application again rather than assuming the existing kit will transfer.
Michigan Wheel XHS Hub Kit Installation Tips
Hub-kit components and installation order can vary by application. Always follow the instructions supplied with the XHS kit and consult the engine manufacturer's service information for the correct propeller-nut torque and hardware orientation.
- Remove the ignition key and prevent the engine from starting before working near the propeller.
- Inspect the propeller shaft and splines for fishing line, corrosion, burrs, or damage.
- Confirm that every component is facing the direction shown in the hub-kit instructions.
- Use the specified thrust washer and mounting hardware; do not mix unverified parts from another hub system.
- Torque the propeller nut to the engine manufacturer's specification and install the required locking device.
- Rotate the propeller by hand to check for interference before operating the engine.
- Recheck the installation after the initial run, especially when installing a new propeller or hub kit.
If the propeller does not seat correctly, the hardware stack appears too long or too short, or the propeller contacts the gearcase, stop the installation. Reconfirm the engine application, Prop Series, hub-kit number, thrust washer, and component orientation before use.
Shop Michigan Wheel Propellers and XHS Hub Kits
The easiest way to build the right combination is to identify the engine application first, confirm its Series A-E designation and XHS hub-kit number, and then choose a compatible Vortex, Apollo, or Ballistic propeller in the appropriate size and pitch.
Shop Michigan Wheel propellers and hub kits at Wholesale Marine. If you need help confirming fitment or selecting a pitch, call our boating experts at 1-877-388-2628.
Frequently Asked Questions About Michigan Wheel XHS Hub Kits
Does a Michigan Wheel propeller include the XHS hub kit?
Michigan Wheel XHS propellers and engine-specific hub kits are generally selected separately. Check the individual product listing to confirm what is included before ordering.
What is the difference between a Prop Series and an XHS hub-kit number?
The Prop Series letter identifies the compatible propeller interface and size group. The XHS hub-kit number identifies the engine-specific components required to mount that propeller to a particular shaft and gearcase.
Can the same XHS hub kit fit aluminum and stainless steel propellers?
It may, provided both propellers are designed for the same XHS Prop Series and the hub kit is correct for the engine. Material alone does not determine hub compatibility.
Can I use my existing Michigan Wheel hub kit in a new propeller?
You may be able to reuse an undamaged XHS hub kit when the new propeller accepts the same Prop Series. Inspect all hub components and confirm compatibility before installation.
How do I know whether I need a Series A, B, C, D, or E propeller?
The required Prop Series is determined by the exact engine application, including manufacturer, horsepower or model, model year, spline count, and gearcase size. Use verified application data rather than choosing by propeller diameter or horsepower alone.
Why does my Series E Nissan or Tohatsu application not show an XHS kit number?
Some Series E Nissan and Tohatsu applications do not identify a hub-kit number in the available application chart. Do not substitute another kit. Confirm the engine model and fitment with Wholesale Marine before ordering.
Will a new hub kit fix a spun or slipping propeller?
A damaged hub can cause slipping, but similar symptoms may result from propeller damage, installation problems, or drivetrain issues. Remove and inspect the propeller and hub components, and have the system evaluated if the cause is unclear.