Prop questions

[50onRED]

I have a 27 Daytona with a 600hp BBC and a bravo XR Sportmaster. Currently running a bravo 1 26p 4 blade and want to hear what everyone else is running.

Should I be running a 5 blade prop? If so what pitch if I’m running a 4 blade 26p currently?

The boat gets on plane very well but seems like it should be performing better above 4000rpm.

 

[Livewire Fabworks]

I would think you are undersized on your current prop. My guess is you could spin a 28-30 pitch 4 blade with no issue or a 26 5 blade as well. 5 blade will get you out of the hole faster and give great mid range. You will may loose a couple of mph at the top end.

Would also depend on the ratio of your drive popular is 1.5 which is what I am basing my comments above on. The other popular ratio is 1.36. I would talk with Hill Marine or Cutting Edge and they can help you out.

 

[50onRED]

I would think you are undersized on your current prop. My guess is you could spin a 28-30 pitch 4 blade with no issue or a 26 5 blade as well. 5 blade will get you out of the hole faster and give great mid range. You will may loose a couple of mph at the top end.

Would also depend on the ratio of your drive popular is 1.5 which is what I am basing my comments above on. The other popular ratio is 1.36. I would talk with Hill Marine or Cutting Edge and they can help you out.

Thank you. All of the calculators I’ve used and the basic math is pushing me in the 4 blade 28 pitch range.

 

[Livewire Fabworks]

Thank you. All of the calculators I’ve used and the basic math is pushing me in the 4 blade 28 pitch range.

Yeah so if it pushes you towards a 28 4 blade you would be looking at a 26 5 blade.

 

[Guest06]

What is the rev limiter? And with the 26p can you hit the limiter?

 

[Joepump]

I have a 27p 5 blade that Auggie from Cutting Edge made specifically for my 26 Daytona, 700 hp , Bravo XR 1.5 with a -2 lower. Best prop I’ve ever had for that set up. I’m now at 1200hp running another one off 32p 5 blade from Auggie. If you’re near Lake Elsinore, you can give it a try.

 

[50onRED]

What is the rev limiter? And with the 26p can you hit the limiter?

Honestly I don’t know. The engine was built for the previous owner and the builder says their dyno printer wasn’t working at the time my motor was built. It’s a very well built Dart 540 so I assume the rev limit is somewhere in the 5300-5700 range. Possibly more but I don’t want to test it.

 

[Joepump]

 

[50onRED]

View attachment 1133878

That’s a substantial jump for only 1 degree.

 

[Guest06]

Thats


That’s a substantial jump for only 1 degree.

Yea well that’s not with equal numbers either. There is a difference in rpm as well speed.

Setting with 75mph that created the slip at 24, then add 1° pitch and it jumps 3mph

Now at a realistic rpm and decent but not out of the world slip and again 3mph.

 

[pkrrvr619]

I have a 27 Daytona with a 600hp BBC and a bravo XR Sportmaster. Currently running a bravo 1 26p 4 blade and want to hear what everyone else is running.

Should I be running a 5 blade prop? If so what pitch if I’m running a 4 blade 26p currently?

The boat gets on plane very well but seems like it should be performing better above 4000rpm.

I have a 25 daytona with 700 ish hp and am spinning a 32 at the moment. performs great. however i have tabs on the back that help it roll over on plane. rev limiter is set at 5600.

I have a labbed 4 blade 28 and a standard 4 blade 30 you are welcome to try out if you're in the parker/havasu area.

 

[50onRED]

I have a 25 daytona with 700 ish hp and am spinning a 32 at the moment. performs great. however i have tabs on the back that help it roll over on plane. rev limiter is set at 5600.

I have a labbed 4 blade 28 and a standard 4 blade 30 you are welcome to try out if you're in the parker/havasu area.

What speeds are you seeing with the 32? I might take you up on that 28p test run. I’ll be out there on the 15th

 

[pkrrvr619]

What speeds are you seeing with the 32? I might take you up on that 28p test run. I’ll be out there on the 15th

The prop calculator says its good for 102. The two times i tried to max it out i hit 96 and then ran out of river and then 95 when the wife started hitting me to back it down.

Had more in her that's for sure so I'm confident it that the prop calculator is close to correct.

 

[50onRED]

The prop calculator says its good for 102. The two times i tried to max it out i hit 96 and then ran out of river and then 95 when the wife started hitting me to back it down.

Had more in her that's for sure so I'm confident it that the prop calculator is close to correct.

Ha! My boat has a Tattle tale GPS Speedo on the Passenger side so I know all too well the good ole “honey slow down” shoulder tap.

 

[pkrrvr619]

Ha! My boat has a Tattle tale GPS Speedo on the Passenger side so I know all too well the good ole “honey slow down” shoulder tap.

Pm me and we can discuss getting you that 28

 

[Guest06]

I’ve got a 30 and 32 in Snort Mohave if you launch around Weedles.

 

[Mike K]

So much info.
So I bought a 5 blade a couple years back … cuz thats what ur supposed to do.
Then I read running a 5 blade at lower speeds (like cruising the channel or Thompson Bay ) puts a lot of strain on your drive.
So I pull it off … cuz my drive is awesome and Ive never had a problem with a 4 blade …
I‘m just winging it … There is just so much info … one way … or maybe that way … it’s like old men talking about shit just to be talking .

 

[fishing fool]

Have you tried a diffrent F-150????

 

[50onRED]

So much info.
So I bought a 5 blade a couple years back … cuz thats what ur supposed to do.
Then I read running a 5 blade at lower speeds (like cruising the channel or Thompson Bay ) puts a lot of strain on your drive.
So I pull it off … cuz my drive is awesome and Ive never had a problem with a 4 blade …
I‘m just winging it … There is just so much info … one way … or maybe that way … it’s like old men talking about shit just to be talking .

Right!

 

[50onRED]

Have you tried a diffrent F-150????

No fords in this house..

 

[done]

I have a 27 Daytona with a 600hp BBC and a bravo XR Sportmaster. Currently running a bravo 1 26p 4 blade and want to hear what everyone else is running.

Should I be running a 5 blade prop? If so what pitch if I’m running a 4 blade 26p currently?

The boat gets on plane very well but seems like it should be performing better above 4000rpm.

What wide open RPM you running with the 26?

 

[done]

You probably have a 1.50 gear ratio, correct prop would be a 28 bravo,I had a HTM with 580 HP, It ran 90 MPH at 5700 RPM wit a 28 Bravo....You do not want a 5- blade
unless you want to build a drive. The benefit on that boat running a five blade, Maybe a little speed gain, not worth drive problems ! I doubt that boat will pull a 30 pitch
prop.

 

[Crazyhippy]

So much info.
So I bought a 5 blade a couple years back … cuz thats what ur supposed to do.
Then I read running a 5 blade at lower speeds (like cruising the channel or Thompson Bay ) puts a lot of strain on your drive.
So I pull it off … cuz my drive is awesome and Ive never had a problem with a 4 blade …
I‘m just winging it … There is just so much info … one way … or maybe that way … it’s like old men talking about shit just to be talking .

Channel is essentially zero stress. Slightly more with every shift, but it is marginal. Issue is cruising in the 3500-4000RPM range. Motor is building peak tq, but hull is still wet. Lots of stress with a prop that is hooked up!

 

[50onRED]

You probably have a 1.50 gear ratio, correct prop would be a 28 bravo,I had a HTM with 580 HP, It ran 90 MPH at 5700 RPM wit a 28 Bravo....You do not want a 5- blade
unless you want to build a drive. The benefit on that boat running a five blade, Maybe a little speed gain, not worth drive problems ! I doubt that boat will pull a 30 pitch
prop.

I was told by the engine builder that WOT is 6k but I’ve never pushed it. All the calculators and math I’ve done says 28p 4 blade Bravo 1 is the way to go.

 

[done]

Push the 26 and see what RPM and speed are, If it hits the rev limiter go to a 28 pitch . What engine is it ....what specs, Might not have 600HP, You tell me the
specs and i can guess pretty close what it is.

 

[50onRED]

Push the 26 and see what RPM and speed are, If it hits the rev limiter go to a 28 pitch . What engine is it ....what specs, Might not have 600HP, You tell me the
specs and i can guess pretty close what it is.

It was built by Barrett in Havasu. Dart 540 Big M
Manley crank/rods
JE/Weisco pistons
ARP everything
Comp Cam & Rockers
Brodix Heads
Brodix manifold
Holley carb.

I’m going to pull numbers off of the heads and carb this weekend to get specs. I asked Barrett for a parts list but have not been given one. I spent 20 years in the custom car/ hot rod world so I also have a good sense of an engines power. My 600 number is conservative. It feels and sounds like more. I also had a retired off shore racer drive the boat and he agreed that it feels like more than 600. He is also the one who said it felt like it was underpropped. We think it was underpropped on purpose just for cruising. After I pull the head numbers I can get a better idea of the compression ratio and that combined with the carb cfm should allow a more accurate HP guess. Knowing me I will probably pull a valve cover to see what’s inside. I’m already hunting down blower parts so down the rabbit hole I go!!

 

[done]

Under propped should have hit the rev limiter or revved up to 6000 in a hurry. If Barrett says its a 540 with those parts ,you are right conservative around 600 to 650 .
If i pulled a 24' HTM with 580 HP turning a 28 bravo at 5800 RPM, Eliminator 27 is heavier , I think a 27 labbed will be the one. I would put a 28 bravo on it,
find some good water and let her rip. RPM will answer all the questions witch way to go. My guess it will turn 5400 RPM at 90 MPH with a 28 on it .

 

[50onRED]

Push the 26 and see what RPM and speed are, If it hits the rev limiter go to a 28 pitch . What engine is it ....what specs, Might not have 600HP, You tell me the
specs and i can guess pretty close what it is.

So it’s been almost two years since you asked me this and my boat has been out of commission for almost the entire time. Broke the motor, then broke the drive, then broke the drive again and on and on and on. But I now have most of the engine specs and I’m curious as to what you think.
Dart short deck block
4.540 bore
4.25 stroke
Flat top pistons (with valve relief)
Brodix DS320 dragon slayer heads
Full roller valve train
Dominator 1100 carb.

I don’t have the cam specs and the rest of the hardware is basically inconsequential.

The boat had the wrong sportmaster lower on it (+2 u it) so I put an Imco -2 lower to get my X in as close to the bottom of the hull as it can be.

Should be back on the water for Memorial Day so I’m back to the propeller hunt.

What kind of power do you think it’s making?

 

[CLdrinker]

So it’s been almost two years since you asked me this and my boat has been out of commission for almost the entire time. Broke the motor, then broke the drive, then broke the drive again and on and on and on. But I now have most of the engine specs and I’m curious as to what you think.
Dart short deck block
4.540 bore
4.25 stroke
Flat top pistons (with valve relief)
Brodix DS320 dragon slayer heads
Full roller valve train
Dominator 1100 carb.

I don’t have the cam specs and the rest of the hardware is basically inconsequential.

The boat had the wrong sportmaster lower on it (+2 u it) so I put an Imco -2 lower to get my X in as close to the bottom of the hull as it can be.

Should be back on the water for Memorial Day so I’m back to the propeller hunt.

What kind of power do you think it’s making?

Like instigator said you are probably in the 600-650hp range.

We had a HTM with their in house 540 they said it was 600-650hp engine. With a 26 on it our best number was 93mph at 6,xxx rpm with Steve driving.

That was with a bone stock drive as well.

 

[50onRED]

Like instigator said you are probably in the 600-650hp range.

We had a HTM with their in house 540 they said it was 600-650hp engine. With a 26 on it our best number was 93mph at 6,xxx rpm with Steve driving.

That was with a bone stock drive as well.

Yeah that’s about what I was thinking. The tattle tale Speedo on the boat shows 94 mph so I think it’s gone that fast at some point but I haven’t cracked 80 with it yet. Hence the prop struggles

 

[Badold65]

If you're planning on being In Havasu for the Memorial weekend, I have a 28 pitch Bravo 1 you can test.

 

[50onRED]

If you're planning on being In Havasu for the Memorial weekend, I have a 28 pitch Bravo 1 you can test.

Nice! I might take you up on that. Ive been speaking with Ron Hill the last couple days so I might have one of his 28s but if that falls through I’ll hit you up.

 

[FreeBird236]

I'm thinking the X dimension is going to change things quite a bit, a little harder to plane, but more top end. Hope it works out.
My experience has been the Bravo I 4 blade is the standard, all the other props usually only give slight differences, good or bad.

 

[DarkHorseRacing]

So you changed the prop shaft height by 4 inches? You might have to start over.

 

[CLdrinker]

So you changed the prop shaft height by 4 inches? You might have to start over.

good point. The standard length might be the right height.

 

[DarkHorseRacing]

good point. The standard length might be the right height.

Well if you are bringing the prop up that much, now a five blade might be better since it’s now probably a semisufacing condition at speed.

And it might be a consideration to run a cleaver than a round ear prop in that situation as well.

 

[50onRED]

So you changed the prop shaft height by 4 inches? You might have to start over.

No, let me re word that and explain. When I bought the boat it had a sportmaster lower on it. This was an older sportmaster with the 2” spacer built into the top. (This wasn’t the lower that was on it from the factory) I confirmed the factory dimensions with Eliminator. It put the prop shaft 2” below the lowest part of the hull. When I gave the dimensions to IMCO they recommended the -2 which only moved the prop shaft up the 2” and put it level with the centerline of the lowest part of the hull. I would have to have the center pod totally out of the water for this prop to semi surface. There are other Daytona owners running IMCO SCX-4s that are technically 2-4” higher than mine I believe.
Bottom line this boat doesn’t throw a rooster tail when on plane .

 

[50onRED]

I have a 27p 5 blade that Auggie from Cutting Edge made specifically for my 26 Daytona, 700 hp , Bravo XR 1.5 with a -2 lower. Best prop I’ve ever had for that set up. I’m now at 1200hp running another one off 32p 5 blade from Auggie. If you’re near Lake Elsinore, you can give it a try.

how fast was that 27 when you had only 700hp? and what was your WOT RPM.

 

[Joepump]

how fast was that 27 when you had only 700hp? and what was your WOT RPM.

88mph at 5400 rpm

 

[Guest06]

No, let me re word that and explain. When I bought the boat it had a sportmaster lower on it. This was an older sportmaster with the 2” spacer built into the top. (This wasn’t the lower that was on it from the factory) I confirmed the factory dimensions with Eliminator. It put the prop shaft 2” below the lowest part of the hull. When I gave the dimensions to IMCO they recommended the -2 which only moved the prop shaft up the 2” and put it level with the centerline of the lowest part of the hull. I would have to have the center pod totally out of the water for this prop to semi surface. There are other Daytona owners running IMCO SCX-4s that are technically 2-4” higher than mine I believe.
Bottom line this boat doesn’t throw a rooster tail when on plane .

If you’re trying to make a rooster tail on a single you need a jet boat. If you’re making a rooster tail on a single with b1 style drive you’re throwing away your forward momentum.
I sit and laugh when i see guys throwing the water up as they think it’s cool but more than anything it’s bad on the u joint as well again pushing water in the air which has no effect on pushing the boat forward.

 

[Outdrive1]

Where’s your rev limiter and can you hit it?

 

[Nanu/Nanu]

No, let me re word that and explain. When I bought the boat it had a sportmaster lower on it. This was an older sportmaster with the 2” spacer built into the top. (This wasn’t the lower that was on it from the factory) I confirmed the factory dimensions with Eliminator. It put the prop shaft 2” below the lowest part of the hull. When I gave the dimensions to IMCO they recommended the -2 which only moved the prop shaft up the 2” and put it level with the centerline of the lowest part of the hull. I would have to have the center pod totally out of the water for this prop to semi surface. There are other Daytona owners running IMCO SCX-4s that are technically 2-4” higher than mine I believe.
Bottom line this boat doesn’t throw a rooster tail when on plane .

Uh...rooster tails are expensive. Its really hard on your drives u joint if you have a typical sterndrive. And if you have a surface drive that is meant to do this. It naturally by design wears out the props from the flex that occurs coming out of the water and back in. And those props aren't cheap. So, i wouldn't be bummed about not having a rooster tail if i had a traditional sterndrive.

If you read up on the matter, mercury only recommends trimming the drive up to the point where your rams total length is 21.75" while under power. This seriously is not much at all. To see it you can do it at home. Trim your drive all the way down then bump it up until you get your rams al 21.75''. then look at your trim gauge and you will know where that threshold is.

 

[50onRED]

If you’re trying to make a rooster tail on a single you need a jet boat. If you’re making a rooster tail on a single with b1 style drive you’re throwing away your forward momentum.
I sit and laugh when i see guys throwing the water up as they think it’s cool but more than anything it’s bad on the u joint as well again pushing water in the air which has no effect on pushing the boat forward.

no i could care less about a rooster. i was more concerned that the boat wasent performing the way it should from the factory. It def handles better with the new lower (When its actually running...) its just harder to get on plane and feels like its cavitating. Motor is coming out and getting torn down. Im going to go through the bottom end, bilding a new wire harness and then its going to go to an engine dyno for a proper tune.

 

[50onRED]

88mph at 5400 rpm

ok that makes sense. Its often hard to get an actual true number out of other dudes. its a pride thing.

 

[50onRED]

Where’s your rev limiter and can you hit it?

Before it was set to 5800 i believe, The motor is going to be a different animal this go around. All the issues ive had has led me to pull it out and tear it down. Going up in Cubic inches, Up in compression and dialing in the bottom end. I thik itll safely redline at 6 but My end goal is to run a bigger prop so i can cruise around 4500 in the 75-85 range. This boat is happy in the high 70s

 

[50onRED]

Uh...rooster tails are expensive. Its really hard on your drives u joint if you have a typical sterndrive. And if you have a surface drive that is meant to do this. It naturally by design wears out the props from the flex that occurs coming out of the water and back in. And those props aren't cheap. So, i wouldn't be bummed about not having a rooster tail if i had a traditional sterndrive.

If you read up on the matter, mercury only recommends trimming the drive up to the point where your rams total length is 21.75" while under power. This seriously is not much at all. To see it you can do it at home. Trim your drive all the way down then bump it up until you get your rams al 21.75''. then look at your trim gauge and you will know where that threshold is.

Honestly im more concerned with it running and handling properly than looking like a rain bird

 

[wet hull]

Interesting on the roost, I don't care either. When mine, cat has drive set at angle perfectly level with the bottom running surface, I roost a small bit. I also am running a -2 lower. I also have the MMW tail and that thing pushes the roost at a angle do to prop rotation and is a trip. Makes me think I am sliding the ass a bit to the side.

 

[50onRED]

Interesting on the roost, I don't care either. When mine, cat has drive set at angle perfectly level with the bottom running surface, I roost a small bit. I also am running a -2 lower. I also have the MMW tail and that thing pushes the roost at a angle do to prop rotation and is a trip. Makes me think I am sliding the ass a bit to the side.

interesting, does that MMW tail help you to get on plane easier?

 

[wet hull]

interesting, does that MMW tail help you to get on plane easier?

100%. I can roll right over with 6 adults, and 60 gallons. Once running it's not in the water, just slightly above

 

[50onRED]

100%. I can roll right over with 6 adults, and 60 gallons. Once running it's not in the water, just slightly above

only 60 gallons? HA mine has 60 A SIDE well 58 per side to be exact. Might have to get myself one of those Tails... is yours a daytona or an f26 ?