OPS VZLA

We ran bravo I 30 for pleasure and throttle up 5 blades Cleavers 14.75 x 33 x 22 for race, also got Hering 5 blades cleaver style 14.5 x 34 x 20, but the throttle up perform much better...

Double Rigged

iTrader: (1)

Interesting, what degree rake were the props you had. Mine are 20 degrees and my boat runs flat but my weight distribution is not the same as most 28 Skaters out there. What pitch and diameter are you running?

LAriverratt

how'd the 5 blades compare to the 4? I have 3 blade 32's on my 308 now.

Maritime_Eng

If I remember correctly the rake was 20deg. I ran 14.75 x 32 &33 4 blade cleavers and 14.25 x 33 5 blade thru hub cleavers.

Maritime_Eng

I like the 5 blades better than the 4 blades. They are really smooth (No vibration at all) and maintain speed even in rough water. With the 3 and 4 blades if you are in rough water and running 90ish and start hitting waves the boat will start to slow down every time you hit a wave, buy the time you end a few mile run you are around 80 mph. With the 5 blades you don't loose any speed the boat just keeps pulling along.

LAriverratt

I run mostly smooth (2-3' tops) the 3 blades definitely have a vibration and I'm not seeing the #'s I would like on the top end.

Maritime_Eng

From my testing it shows the bigger outboard cats run better with the 5 blade props. Some like the round ear version and others like the cleaver ears.

LAriverratt

sorry we got off subject here on 28 props...I would think that the merc's are less $$$ but from the sounds of it the Dewalds are the way to go at least for now on the 28.

Double Rigged

iTrader: (1)

I can't comment on the bigger cats. I would leave that up to someone that has one. I can say the 3 blades are not smooth at all and the 4 blades I have from Dewald are as smooth as the 5 bladed cleavers I tried from him. I also have not experienced any loss of maintaining speed with my set up and we run the boat in the all the time as we have no CALM water on the east coast. I have seen the X Cats running 5 blades and I think Gary had some 6 bladed props on the 32' Skater he redid. Maybe something there about more blades and bigger cats. Keep good notes LA. It will get very complicated if no good notes. Need to document everything from air temp/humidty/fuel/current weight etc. Everything is a factor. Problem is when most people post speeds they are not real world/conditions. Only once in a lifetime speed achieved LOL!

Zero Patience

Staying with my Dewalds, y'all go ahead with your Bravo 1s and Herings Tried them all, watched the GPS.