Props for a 29 w/ Twin 454
05-08-2006, 10:12 PM
#21
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Re: Props for a 29 w/ Twin 454
Originally Posted by nixter
Outcastyj
The three bladed mirage 25" pitch was the standard prop that came with the boat. There has been an improvement on the 3 blade Mirage with the introduction of the Mirage plus. In the mid 90's Fountain started offering Hydromotive QIV 4 bladed intimidator props with almost all Fountains. The perfect 4 blade replacement for your twin engine 29 with 365's is the 24" pitch QVI Hydromotive. As Lofty said, for every additional blade you need to go down an inch or two in pitch. Hydromotive props are usually accurate in true pitch were as Mercury props are a little off. With the 4 blade Hydro's you will have better midrange speed and better handling overall. Remember you have an extra blade in the water. You will sacrifice 2 mph on top end, but you can gain that back by having them labbed/blueprinted and still maintain excellent handling, midrange speed and top end.
The three bladed mirage 25" pitch was the standard prop that came with the boat. There has been an improvement on the 3 blade Mirage with the introduction of the Mirage plus. In the mid 90's Fountain started offering Hydromotive QIV 4 bladed intimidator props with almost all Fountains. The perfect 4 blade replacement for your twin engine 29 with 365's is the 24" pitch QVI Hydromotive. As Lofty said, for every additional blade you need to go down an inch or two in pitch. Hydromotive props are usually accurate in true pitch were as Mercury props are a little off. With the 4 blade Hydro's you will have better midrange speed and better handling overall. Remember you have an extra blade in the water. You will sacrifice 2 mph on top end, but you can gain that back by having them labbed/blueprinted and still maintain excellent handling, midrange speed and top end.
05-09-2006, 10:03 AM
#22
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Re: Props for a 29 w/ Twin 454
Pullmytrigger,
I believe, but I am not positive that Fountain started using the Hydro's on 94' models...a year before the stepped models started coming out.
Minimum plaining speed is about the same, maybe 1-2 mph less or better. The Hydro's perform very well in carrying the bow but more importantly give you stern lift wich you need in a twin engine 29' or 32'.
As far as comparable speeds, you lose about 2-3 mph on top end but your handling improves significantly in rough water and your midrange speed is more efficient. Hope this answers your questions. Nixter.
I believe, but I am not positive that Fountain started using the Hydro's on 94' models...a year before the stepped models started coming out.
Minimum plaining speed is about the same, maybe 1-2 mph less or better. The Hydro's perform very well in carrying the bow but more importantly give you stern lift wich you need in a twin engine 29' or 32'.
As far as comparable speeds, you lose about 2-3 mph on top end but your handling improves significantly in rough water and your midrange speed is more efficient. Hope this answers your questions. Nixter.
05-09-2006, 10:59 AM
#23
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Re: Props for a 29 w/ Twin 454
Well, I got the performance report from Fountain today and my boat ran 77mph@5100RPM. I am sure that was speedo and not GPS so probably more like 74-75mph. It came with 14.5 X 25 Mirage 3 blade with the standard 1.5:1 ratio and a 16" X Dimension. The same set up as Nixters.
Nixter, what was the top end on your 29 with the 4 blade Hydromotives?
Nixter, what was the top end on your 29 with the 4 blade Hydromotives?
05-09-2006, 01:18 PM
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Re: Props for a 29 w/ Twin 454
Top speed GPS with the 24" Hydromotive QIV 4 blades was 72-73mph with 2/3 rds fuel and 2 adults. After I had the props lab finished GPS speed was 74-75mph. In the early spring and in fall, when the temps were cooler and the air was crisp I would see over 76mph. But expect about 73-74mph with normal fuel load, gear and passengers. I'm trying to figure ways to lighten the stern up....i.e. engine hatch, smaller batteries, aluminum blocks and heads 
$$$$$$$$$ it's only money. B.O.A.T = Break Out Another Ten Thousand! Nixter. 
$$$$$$$$$ it's only money. B.O.A.T = Break Out Another Ten Thousand! Nixter.
05-09-2006, 02:47 PM
#25
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Re: Props for a 29 w/ Twin 454
We run an early flat transom, non-step 8.8M, basically the same hull as the later 32' with a swim step. Power is a pair of NA 540 making 675HP. Drives are Konrads' with the speedy lower and an X 1.66" higher than the stock TRS. We get the best over-all performance with 28 Bravo 1's. They have the diffusers cut down. Top speed is 91 GPS any day running 5800.
We can get higher top speed spinning a pair of labbed 31's but it's a booger to get on plane and handles like a pig. We also like to run 26 Bravo 1's but if I pin it we hit the rev limiters but the boat is easier to run at lower speeds and accelerates great.
We can get higher top speed spinning a pair of labbed 31's but it's a booger to get on plane and handles like a pig. We also like to run 26 Bravo 1's but if I pin it we hit the rev limiters but the boat is easier to run at lower speeds and accelerates great.
05-09-2006, 03:55 PM
#26
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Re: Props for a 29 w/ Twin 454
Originally Posted by nixter
Pullmytrigger,
I believe, but I am not positive that Fountain started using the Hydro's on 94' models...a year before the stepped models started coming out.
Minimum plaining speed is about the same, maybe 1-2 mph less or better. The Hydro's perform very well in carrying the bow but more importantly give you stern lift wich you need in a twin engine 29' or 32'.
As far as comparable speeds, you lose about 2-3 mph on top end but your handling improves significantly in rough water and your midrange speed is more efficient. Hope this answers your questions. Nixter.
I believe, but I am not positive that Fountain started using the Hydro's on 94' models...a year before the stepped models started coming out.
Minimum plaining speed is about the same, maybe 1-2 mph less or better. The Hydro's perform very well in carrying the bow but more importantly give you stern lift wich you need in a twin engine 29' or 32'.
As far as comparable speeds, you lose about 2-3 mph on top end but your handling improves significantly in rough water and your midrange speed is more efficient. Hope this answers your questions. Nixter.
