Michigan Wheel Propellers and XHS Hub Kits
Michigan Wheel manufactures aluminum and stainless-steel propellers for compatible outboards and sterndrives. Its recreational propeller lineup includes Vortex, Apollo, Ballistic, and Michigan Match models in different materials, blade counts, diameters, pitches, rotations, and engine applications.
Wholesale Marine carries Michigan Wheel propellers and XHS hub kits for a wide range of boat and engine combinations. The correct selection depends on the engine manufacturer, model, horsepower, year or serial range, gearcase size, propeller-shaft spline count, rotation, and the propeller’s required hub system.
Michigan Wheel Vortex Aluminum Propellers
Michigan Wheel Vortex propellers provide an aluminum option for replacement, general recreational use, or carrying as a spare. Vortex models are available in three- and four-blade configurations for compatible outboard and sterndrive applications.
Vortex propeller housings use the interchangeable Michigan Wheel XHS system. The propeller and application-specific hub kit are selected separately, allowing a compatible hub to be reused when replacing the propeller housing. The required XHS Prop Series and hub-kit number must be verified before ordering.
Vortex 14" x 11P Three-Blade Propeller
An aluminum three-blade propeller with a 14-inch diameter and 11-inch pitch. The engine application and required XHS hub kit must be confirmed separately.
Vortex 10-1/8" x 14P Four-Blade Propeller
An aluminum four-blade propeller for compatible applications. Four blades may support acceleration, grip, load carrying, or handling, but performance varies by boat and engine setup.
Michigan Wheel Apollo Stainless-Steel Propellers
Michigan Wheel Apollo propellers combine stainless-steel construction with interchangeable XHS hub compatibility. Apollo models are available in three-blade, large-diameter three-blade, and four-blade configurations for compatible engine applications.
Stainless steel allows thinner and stiffer blade profiles than aluminum, helping the blades resist flexing under load. Stainless-steel propellers generally cost more and may transfer more impact force to drivetrain components during a severe propeller strike.
Apollo 14-1/4" x 17P Three-Blade Propeller
A stainless-steel three-blade Apollo propeller with left-hand counter rotation. Confirm rotation, engine fitment, Prop Series, and the required XHS hub kit.
Apollo 14" x 22P Four-Blade Propeller
A stainless-steel four-blade Apollo propeller with left-hand counter rotation. It must be paired with the correct application-specific XHS hub kit.
Michigan Wheel Ballistic Propellers
Michigan Wheel Ballistic propellers are stainless-steel performance propellers offered in several three- and four-blade configurations. Ballistic designs feature tapered leading edges, cambered blade sections, and blade geometry intended for compatible performance-oriented recreational boats.
A Ballistic propeller is not automatically the correct upgrade for every boat. Engine fitment, current wide-open-throttle RPM, hull design, load, engine height, gear ratio, pitch, and the operator’s performance priorities must all be evaluated.
Ballistic 14-1/2" x 19P Three-Blade Propeller
A stainless-steel three-blade propeller with a 14.5-inch diameter and 19-inch pitch. Verify the rotation, engine application, XHS Prop Series, and hub-kit requirement before ordering.
Michigan Match Aluminum Propellers
Michigan Match propellers provide application-specific aluminum replacements for compatible outboards and sterndrives. Unlike Vortex, Apollo, and Ballistic XHS propeller housings, Michigan Match models generally use a factory-installed rubber-cushioned hub rather than a separately selected XHS kit.
This distinction is important when shopping for a replacement. A Michigan Match propeller must match the engine application, spline count, rotation, diameter, and pitch because its hub is already installed and is not selected separately.
Michigan Match 14" x 11P Propeller
An aluminum three-blade replacement propeller with an installed rubber-cushioned hub. Confirm the complete engine application before purchasing.
Michigan Match 14" x 16P Propeller
An application-specific aluminum three-blade propeller with a 14-inch diameter, 16-inch pitch, and factory-installed hub.
Michigan Wheel XHS Hub Kits
The Michigan Wheel XHS system uses an interchangeable propeller housing and a separate engine-specific hub kit. Vortex, Apollo, and Ballistic propellers are assigned an XHS Prop Series—commonly Series A through E—which identifies the hub architecture required by that propeller.
The Prop Series does not identify the engine by itself. After confirming the propeller’s series, match the engine manufacturer, exact model, horsepower, year or serial range, gearcase size, propeller-shaft spline count, and rotation to the application chart.
Do not assume that an XHS hub will fit merely because the horsepower range appears correct. Different engines with similar horsepower may use different gearcases, spline counts, hardware, or hub kits.
Michigan Wheel XHS Hub Kit Guide
Learn how Prop Series A through E work and which engine, gearcase, and propeller information is needed to select the correct Michigan Wheel hub kit.
Three-Blade vs. Four-Blade Michigan Wheel Propellers
Three-blade propellers are commonly selected for general-purpose performance and top-end speed. Four-blade propellers add blade area and may improve acceleration, grip, load carrying, low-speed planing, or handling in rough conditions.
Changing blade count can also change engine RPM and top-end performance. A pitch adjustment may be needed when moving between three- and four-blade designs. Always verify that the engine operates within its manufacturer-recommended wide-open-throttle RPM range.
How to Choose a Michigan Wheel Propeller
Begin with the engine manufacturer, model, horsepower, year or serial range, gearcase size, propeller-shaft spline count, and rotation. Record the existing propeller’s diameter, pitch, blade count, material, and part number when available.
Next, check the engine’s wide-open-throttle RPM with the boat carrying its normal fuel, passengers, and equipment. If the current propeller reaches the recommended RPM range and performs well, matching its specifications provides a useful starting point. Changes to pitch, material, or blade count should be based on measured performance and a specific goal.
Use Wholesale Marine’s Boat Propeller Finder to narrow compatible Michigan Wheel propellers and hub kits by engine. Verify all application details before ordering.
Boat Propeller Resources
Boat Propeller Basics
Learn how pitch, diameter, blade count, cup, rake, and related design characteristics affect boat performance and engine RPM.
Aluminum vs. Stainless-Steel Propellers
Compare purchase price, durability, repair considerations, blade stiffness, and performance when selecting a propeller material.
Shop Michigan Wheel Propellers at Wholesale Marine
Wholesale Marine carries Michigan Wheel Vortex, Apollo, Ballistic, and Michigan Match propellers along with application-specific XHS hub kits. Use the Propeller Finder and product application information to identify the correct propeller and hub combination for your engine.
Michigan Wheel Propeller FAQs
What is the difference between Michigan Wheel Vortex, Apollo, and Ballistic propellers?
Vortex propellers are made from aluminum, while Apollo and Ballistic propellers use stainless-steel construction. Apollo offers premium general-performance options, while Ballistic models use performance-oriented blade geometry. All three families include models that use Michigan Wheel’s interchangeable XHS system.
Do Michigan Wheel propellers include an XHS hub kit?
Vortex, Apollo, and Ballistic XHS propeller housings generally require a separately selected application-specific hub kit. Review the individual product description to confirm what is included.
What do Michigan Wheel XHS Prop Series A through E mean?
The Prop Series identifies the hub architecture required by the propeller housing. It does not identify the engine by itself. After confirming the series, use the engine application information to select the correct hub kit.
Does a Michigan Match propeller need a separate hub kit?
Michigan Match propellers generally use an application-specific factory-installed rubber-cushioned hub rather than a separately selected XHS kit. The complete propeller must match the engine application and propeller shaft.
How do I choose the correct Michigan Wheel propeller?
Match the engine manufacturer, model, horsepower, year or serial range, gearcase size, spline count, and rotation. Then compare the existing propeller’s diameter, pitch, blade count, material, and wide-open-throttle RPM with the new propeller’s specifications.