VetteLT193

I have had plenty of side conversations and there are a bunch of threads on 28ZX props... This thread will hopefully consolidate all of the info into a one spot check point. If you have tested props please include your boat model (ZX or ZXO); Year, Drive ratio!, describe pros/cons in planing, handling, cruise, top end, etc.

VetteLT193

2008 28 ZXO, 6.2 MPI's, 1.65 ratio

23" Mirage Plus
-Planing stinks, easy to blow out. Nearly impossible to plane in rough water.
-Handling stinks, easy to blow out a prop in a turn
-Top End.. 65 at 5200+ (on the limiter). Can't trim past neutral or it hits the limiter

Overall: These props are too small, miserable planing, poor handling.

VetteLT193

2008 28 ZXO, 6.2 MPI's, 1.65 ratio

25" Mirage Plus
-Planing stinks, easy to blow out. Nearly impossible to plane in rough water.
-Handling moderate
-Cruise is ok
-Top End.. Probably low 70's but I didn't leave them on long enough to find out. They are poor in rough water, poor to plane, poor with heavy loads.

Overall: These have the top end speed but lack everything else.

VetteLT193

2008 28 ZXO, 6.2 MPI's, 1.65 ratio

26" Bravo 1
-Planing is awesome. No issues, trim it however and go. Rough water planing is no problem
-Handling is good, no prop blow out in turns.
-Top End.. 68 at 4800. Trim set high
-Cruise.. Awesome. 55 MPH fast cruise. Easy cruise at 45+. Very efficient. The boat seems to free up from the water over 40 so these are the best cruising props.

Overall: So far my "go to" prop that i keep on the boat almost exclusively. Not the best top end but it will go 65 all day long and the cruise, handling, etc. are all so good that it's easy to leave these mounted.

VetteLT193

2008 28 ZXO, 6.2 MPI's, 1.65 ratio

24" Bravo 1
-Planing is the best. Basically the same as the 26's but quicker.
-Handling is the best. Tight turns at speed are easy, no blow out, holds the water really well. Hanging U turns in a channel is no problem, boat digs in to turns like a classic digging in, rolling into it steep.
-Cruising is decent. just over 40 MPH at 3200. low 40's at 3500 (maybe 43-44-ish). This was in a confused 3 foot slop. Also able to cruise slow which is nice for when the seas pick up (easily cruise at 30 which is near impossible with the Mirages)
-Top End.. Abysmal (so far). I ran out of space but the most I could get is 60 @ 5100 RPM. I'm a bit bamboozled by this number. I ran them full fuel, full water, 4 people in the boat... but even under these conditions I can hit 65 with the 26's

Overall: Amazing props if I ever decide to do any kind of water skiing, tubing, etc. Kinda turns the ride into a big ass ski boat. Might be better ot top with less load.

Shag555

2001 28zx 350 mag mpi's bravo 1's 1.50 ratio.
Mirage Plus 23's
Will run 68-70 mph gps all day long. Fastest has been 71mph. Slip calculator shows <10% at 5100 rpm.
Comes up on plane really easy. Will stay on plane as slow as 23mph.
Handling is great, but going to full hydraulic steering next year.
Also want to do Lunatti stroked kit @ 383cuin, so there goes the prop setup!

VetteLT193

I'm ready to measure X dimensions at this point. It seems like all the older (pre 2005) 350 mag boats with the 1.5 ratio all run great with Mirage + props... and all us with newer boats with the 1.65 drives have issues with them.

I am beginning to wonder if they got more aggressive with the X at the same time.

BradmanVA

I wonder if anyone has tried the 25 Bravo 1's or 25 Revolution 4's. That's what BBlades was recommending with my slip numbers. But it seems you found the best with 26 Bravo's. I agree like we discussed, Mirage Plus 3 Blade 25P suck big time on the ZXO with 6.2's. Even after having them worked, adding more cupping, and testing I find them better. But, having said this, they still blow out easy, don't create the lift of the 4 blades, and the improvement was minimal. 5-7 mph at top end is no real improvement when the drive-ability of the rest of the boat suffers.
Good Post Vette!

Beachbum28

I have a 2003 ZXO with 350 mags (300 hp) bravo 1/ 1.50. I have Merc mirage puls 23p. I have hit 70 on the gps but run 66-68 all day. Props are top of my list of upgrades. Brett at Bblades is recomending the revolution 4. I have read a lot of great reviews on him and his company, so I am going to try them out early next spring. I am looking for a nice cruise and better control at the dock.

Silly question... Which way do you spin your props? Mine are set fron Donzi to spin "in". I do not plan to change that, but a few people have told me it will handel better.

Great post, Matt

cheech

Vette, interesting stuff PMed you about a year ago if you remember. 6.2's 1.65 ratio. Same experience as you even with 25's, blow out easy, especially with some chop going on. Even have to lay back and then start over again. Had just got some 24 bravo's, haven't had them on yet.