skier50

Hi All,
I bought a 1988 Formula 206 in October and the boat came with a pretty dinged up 14 1/4, 21p SS Cleaver. The engine drive package is a limited production Merc Racing 350 EFI, 320HP, with a Bravo One drive. All original. I will be repairing the cleaver as a space, but want to know where I should start with a modern prop. Mirage 21? Has anyone out there done any comparisons? I will be putting it in the water over the next few weeks for the first time. THANKS!

cuda

Are you sure it's a Bravo? If it is, I doubt it's original. The 320 Efi's were usually mated to an Alpha.

cuda

If you are running in salt water, watch that engine. The aluminum intake may corode, and this is what you end up with.

skier50

Yes, sure it is a Bravo and it is factory original as I have the documentation. From what I understand, there were about 20 of these made as a joint venture with Formula and Mercury Racing. I heard Merc also did a few Donzi 22s and 22 Panchangas and Scarab 22s as other test models. They added most options to this boat. Ideas on prop selection?

cuda

21 Mirage + would be my guess.

cuda

They put them in 20 foot Donzi Minx's too. I have one. I think there were quite a few more than 20 made, maybe 20 with the Bravo. There is a guy on here that has been trying to get two of those to run for over four years now. I think he just recently gave up and repowered. I sent him all the stuff off my engine.

skier50

Thanks Cuda, appreciate your insights! I know there are some issues with this motor especially the EFI and part availability. Not many out there that have the experience to work on this set up. I found Jim at TZ Marine in Stony Point, NY who is excellent and got me straightened out over the winter. Will let you know how things work out when I get it in the water over the next week or so..

Biggus

iTrader: (1)

Sounds like a cool package. The 320 EFI was a pretty expensive upgrade over a 260. I've got a buddy with a pair of 320's in a 24' Donzi Spitfire. He's been running them for years and has them figured out pretty well.

I've never heard of a 320 mated to a Bravo. I'd guess that it was very early 1988.

Kurt

Iggy

I have an '88 F-206 LS myself. Still has the original 270HP 350 MAG and an Alpha drive.
I was running a 21" Mirage (not a Mirage Plus). When loaded with 4-5 adults it had a jard time getting on plane. I'll bet your 320HP could handle the load easily.
I switched to a 21" Laser II which has smaller blades, smaller diameter, and more rake. It made a difference on mine. For my setup Formula recommended a switch to a 19" Laser II. I stayed with the 21" just to see what the difference in prop style would do.

I would try the 21" first and see where the RPM's are at WOT. Then adjust from there.

skier50

Thanks All...

Iggy, What speed are you running at WOT with the 350Mag/Mirage 21? What RPM?

According to the original documentation, there were 3 packages available in 1988:

Merc 350 Magnum Alpha - 58MPH
Merc 320 EFI - 63MPH
Volvo 205 DuoProp - 48MPH