{"id":31251,"date":"2026-03-26T06:52:42","date_gmt":"2026-03-26T06:52:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.vifpropellers.com\/?p=31251"},"modified":"2026-03-26T06:52:42","modified_gmt":"2026-03-26T06:52:42","slug":"what-companies-make-raker-propellers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vifpropellers.com\/th\/what-companies-make-raker-propellers\/","title":{"rendered":"What Companies Make Raker Propellers?"},"content":{"rendered":"
Finding the right Raker Propeller<\/a> should be straightforward. No guesswork, no digging through endless catalogs.<\/p>\n You might be replacing a worn Prop<\/a> on your outboard. Or you’re pushing for that extra half-second off the line. Either way, the manufacturer behind the blade matters more than most boaters think.<\/p>\n The Raker’s swept-back design has pulled in a competitive field of makers. You’ll find the original brand that built this Prop<\/a> style, plus aggressive aftermarket players eating into their market share.<\/p>\n So here’s a clear breakdown of who’s making these props today. You’ll see what sets each brand apart on the water \u2014 and how to match the right one to your engine with confidence.<\/p>\n Two names stand out here: BRP (Bombardier Recreational Products)<\/strong> and PowerTech<\/strong>.<\/p>\n BRP is the original maker. They build Raker propellers under the Evinrude\/Johnson brand<\/strong>. You get a solid range of configurations made for high-output outboard performance:<\/p>\n Raker H.O.<\/strong> \u2014 14.5″ \u00d7 24″, stainless steel, 3-blade, with Variable Vent Ports to sharpen acceleration. Priced around $552<\/strong> (down from $774).<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Raker II<\/strong> \u2014 14.5″ \u00d7 25″ stainless, part #177308<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Raker V-4<\/strong> \u2014 13.5″ \u00d7 24″, part #0763956<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Raker (Standard)<\/strong> \u2014 13.5″ \u00d7 18″ stainless, part #0763953<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n These props are built for Evinrude E-TEC engines in the 90\u2013300 hp range<\/strong>. That covers E-TEC G2 models and OMC sterndrives.<\/p>\n PowerTech is the go-to aftermarket option. Their RKR4 stainless steel propeller<\/a> matches the OMC Raker spec closely \u2014 14.5″ diameter, pitch options from 18 to 30. Each prop gets precision hand-finishing. So you’re not just getting a lower price \u2014 you’re getting real quality too.<\/p>\n One thing to note: BRP props don’t include hub kits. They’re sold on their own, so add that cost to your budget upfront.<\/p>\n The blade angle tells you everything.<\/p>\n A Raker propeller<\/strong> is built around one defining characteristic: high rake<\/strong>. The blade angle climbs from hub to tip \u2014 20 degrees or more. That geometry isn’t decorative. It’s the mechanical reason this prop lifts your bow and pushes top speed on light, fast boats.<\/p>\n Here’s what that design means in practice:<\/p>\n High rake angle<\/strong> \u2014 Blades sweep back hard from the hub. You get bow lift, faster planing, and a top-speed ceiling that flat-blade props can’t touch in surfacing conditions. We’re talking 50+ mph territory.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Cupped trailing edges<\/strong> \u2014 A sharp cup is machined into each blade. Less slippage. Better bite at speed. Cleaner lift through the water column.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Thru-hub exhaust venting<\/strong> \u2014 Vent holes sit at 0.710\u2033, built for Mercury PVS vent compatibility. Exhaust exits clean, cutting back-pressure drag.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n 3-blade configuration<\/strong> \u2014 Every Raker runs three blades. No exceptions. Rubber or pressed-in hub options depending on your setup.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n High-polish stainless steel<\/strong> \u2014 Precision manufacturing, hand-finished surfaces. The material isn’t just about durability \u2014 the polish cuts surface drag at high RPM.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n Three blade types dominate performance boating: standard, cleaver, and raker.<\/p>\n Standard props (0\u201320\u00b0 rake) balance bow lift and torque. Cleavers run low rake with flat edges \u2014 built for raw torque, not top speed. The Raker sits between them but leans hard toward speed<\/strong> \u2014 high rake, cupped blades, strong bow lift.<\/p>\n The result: faster RPM buildup, quicker planing, and solid midrange efficiency<\/strong> \u2014 without giving up fuel economy at cruise.<\/p>\n It covers a wide power band \u2014 40 to 300 HP<\/strong>. That’s why you see Raker props on bass boats, high-performance runabouts, pontoons, and offshore builds alike.<\/p>\n The Raker propeller didn’t emerge from a product committee. It came from a company with over a century of outboard engineering behind it.<\/p>\n BRP \u2014 Bombardier Recreational Products<\/strong> \u2014 is the corporate name. But the legacy runs through Evinrude<\/strong>, Johnson<\/strong>, and OMC<\/strong>. Ole Evinrude founded Evinrude Motors in 1907 in Milwaukee. By the mid-1930s, Evinrude and Johnson Motor Company had merged into Outboard Marine Corporation (OMC)<\/strong>. That consolidation gave OMC control of one-third of the entire US boat and engine market<\/strong>. At its peak, the company moved over 100,000 units per year.<\/p>\n That’s the organization that created the Raker design.<\/p>\n OMC filed for bankruptcy in 2000. BRP stepped in and bought the assets \u2014 Evinrude, Johnson, the engineering centers, the IP \u2014 for $95 million<\/strong>. What came next was real engineering work, not just a rebadge. BRP developed the E-TEC G2 V6<\/strong>, a direct-injection two-stroke built on OMC’s earlier Ficht technology. The result: a power-to-weight ratio and throttle response that four-strokes couldn’t match.<\/p>\n The Raker props were built into this ecosystem. Part numbers \u2014 177306 (Raker H.O., 14.5″ \u00d7 26P)<\/strong>, 177308 (Raker II)<\/strong>, and 0763953<\/strong> \u2014 were engineered alongside these engines. They weren’t sourced from outside and dropped in.<\/p>\n In May 2020, BRP shut down all Evinrude outboard production for good. The decision was abrupt. Over 11,000 engines<\/strong> had already been caught in a prior recall affecting 200\u2013225 hp models. Then the entire line was gone.<\/p>\n Here’s what that means: no new BRP Raker propellers are being manufactured today.<\/strong> Inventory does exist \u2014 BRP bought enough spare parts during the OMC acquisition to keep supply running for a while. But that stockpile is finite. It won’t last forever.<\/p>\n You’re running an E-TEC engine and need an OEM Raker replacement? Act on availability now. The aftermarket \u2014 PowerTech<\/strong> in particular \u2014 exists for exactly this reason. The supply gap was predictable, and the aftermarket filled it.<\/p>\n PowerTech built the RKR Series<\/strong> for one specific job: fill the gap that BRP left behind.<\/p>\n The spec sheet backs this up. Every pitch option runs a constant 14.5″ diameter<\/strong>. You get stainless steel construction<\/strong> with a high-polish finish. The 15-tooth spline<\/strong> comes with a Flo-Torq square hub included. That last detail matters \u2014 this prop wasn’t built as a generic swap.<\/p>\n Pitch options cover every 1″ increment from 18″ to 30″<\/strong>. That range gives you real control. No settling for a prop that under-revs or over-revs. You pick the exact pitch that fits your setup.<\/p>\n The 3-blade RKR<\/strong> is the pure performance pick. Efficient grip, strong top-end, built for 150 HP and up.<\/p>\n The 4-blade RKR<\/strong> gives up a small slice of top speed. In return, you get a better hole-shot, more lift off the water, and sharper handling. Bass boats, flats, and bay rigs are where this blade shines.<\/p>\n Same 14.5″ diameter. Different character on the water.<\/p>\n Engine coverage is broad:<\/p>\n E-TEC G2<\/strong>: 150\u2013300 HP (2014\u20132016+, including H.O. variants)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Carb\/E-TEC<\/strong>: 150\u2013300 HP (1976\u20132016+)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n 4-Stroke<\/strong>: 200\u2013225 HP (2004\u20132005)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n Authorized dealers \u2014 Tacomapropeller.com<\/strong>, Boatpropwarehouse.com<\/strong>, Propellerpros.com<\/strong> \u2014 all carry a 30-day pitch exchange policy<\/strong>. You swap for the same value. The prop must be in like-new condition. A small fee applies, and shipping isn’t covered. It’s not a perfect policy, but a wrong pitch call doesn’t have to stick.<\/p>\n Michigan Wheel plays in a different weight class.<\/p>\n BRP and PowerTech built their Raker props around outboard performance \u2014 14.5″ diameters, 150\u2013300 HP, bass boats and runabouts. Michigan Wheel targets vessels that make those numbers look small. Their Dyna-Quad (DQ) series<\/strong> is the closest match to a traditional Raker design in their lineup. It’s built for serious work.<\/p>\n The core specs say it all:<\/p>\n Dyna-Quad (DQ)<\/strong>: 4-blade, 17″\u201346″ diameter, E.A.R. of 0.69 \u2014 far more blade area than a 3-blade setup. That extra surface area cuts vibration and pushes more thrust under heavy load.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n DQ Special<\/strong>: Steps up further \u2014 32″\u201356″ diameter, E.A.R. ranging 0.76\u20130.91. Built for super yachts and high-speed commercial vessels that need more power than the standard DQ can deliver.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n The manufacturing precision here is real \u2014 not just marketing talk. Michigan Wheel holds ISO-484\/2 tolerances<\/strong>, runs NC machining across the board, and hand-polishes large fixed-pitch props to final spec.<\/p>\n Your engine count starts climbing past what any outboard can handle? This is the brand you reach for.<\/p>\n Solas built its reputation quietly \u2014 through materials science and manufacturing precision most boaters never think to ask about.<\/p>\n The brand uses Asian precision manufacturing, but the metallurgy is where things get interesting. Their aluminum alloy packs higher chromium, nickel, and molybdenum content than standard stainless steel. That gives you better corrosion resistance, not worse. The exclusive squeeze cast process<\/strong> compresses the alloy during forming. You get stronger blades, thinner profiles, and less drag.<\/p>\n Four lines carry the load here:<\/p>\n Scorpion (3\u20134 blade, 115\u2013250 HP)<\/strong> \u2014 High rake, cupped trailing edges, strong bow lift. This is the closest direct match to the BRP Raker design.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Rubex HR3\/HR4 (115\u2013250 HP)<\/strong> \u2014 Purpose-built high rake and cup geometry. Stern lift, fast acceleration, reduced slip. Drop it in where a BRP Raker used to sit.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Titan (50\u2013250 HP)<\/strong> \u2014 Broader pitch range, stronger midrange thrust, and better fuel economy. The HR variants deliver Raker-style stern lift.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Rubex L3\/L4<\/strong> \u2014 Large diameter, offshore-tuned grip for bigger loads at 115+ HP.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n The 3-blade setup reaches top speed faster. The 4-blade gives up a small amount of top speed but delivers stronger thrust and a sharper hole-shot. Go from 3 to 4 blades? Drop pitch by 1\u20132 inches.<\/strong> That keeps your RPM in the 5,000\u20136,000 WOT range.<\/p>\n The value is clear. You get Raker-level lift and slip reduction, plus aluminum durability that beats its price point.<\/p>\n Most propeller buyers think they face a simple choice: OEM quality or aftermarket compromise. VIF Propellers<\/a> launched in 1997 to prove that’s a false trade-off.<\/p>\n Here’s the math: 40\u201350% less<\/strong> than Mercury or Yamaha retail pricing, backed by GPS-verified performance data. One bass pro swapped his OEM prop for a VIF stainless steel equivalent and gained +4.2 mph<\/strong>. A 14.5\u00d719 VIF stainless model ran head-to-head against branded OEM props. Speed difference? “Almost none.” Cost difference? $300 per unit<\/strong> in your favor.<\/p>\n That’s not marketing copy. That’s a spreadsheet outcome.<\/p>\n The Raker Series<\/strong> targets the same performance niche as Mercury Raker and PowerTech RKR props. You get aggressive pitch geometry, balanced top-end lift, and stainless steel construction. No licensing. No rebranding. Our 18-specialist R&D team<\/strong> develops every blade geometry in-house, with an average of 12 years each in hydrodynamics and marine engineering.<\/p>\n Four more lines cover the high-performance catalog:<\/p>\n Chopper Series<\/strong> \u2014 blade geometry built for pure top speed<\/p>\n<\/li>\n YBS Series<\/strong> \u2014 shallow-water specialist; 90% rated thrust at 30cm depth, 68% fewer weed-tangling incidents<\/p>\n<\/li>\nWhat Companies Make Raker Propellers?<\/h2>\n
<\/p>\n\n
What Is a Raker Propeller? (Core Concept + Design Signature)<\/h2>\n
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Where It Fits in the Prop Spectrum<\/h3>\n
BRP (Evinrude \/ Johnson \/ OMC) \u2014 The Original Raker Manufacturer<\/h2>\n
The 2020 Shutdown Changes Things<\/h3>\n
PowerTech Propellers \u2014 Best Aftermarket Alternative (RKR Series)<\/h2>\n
3-Blade or 4-Blade \u2014 Know the Difference<\/h3>\n
Compatibility and Where to Buy<\/h3>\n
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Michigan Wheel \u2014 High-Durability Raker-Style Props for Larger Vessels<\/h2>\n
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Solas Propellers \u2014 Budget-Friendly High-Performance Option<\/h2>\n
The Series That Replaces a Raker<\/h3>\n
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Blade Count and Pitch Rules<\/h3>\n
VIF Propellers \u2014 Factory-Direct Performance, Without the Brand Tax<\/h2>\n
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\nBuilt for Raker-Seekers<\/h3>\n
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