We ordered up a set of 5 blade hydros to start with, should have results this week. Testing was cut short friday when we hit something submerged and broke a prop shaft, so fixing that monday and going from there. But we had it running real strong with 2 and half fuel. Will post numbers as we get it dialed in.

Dude! Jeez! What props were you running? Any damage?

30" P5X's

Flenner what RPM's are you turning at what top speed? Also, what diameter are the props and what engines and HP are you running?

Sounds like parts in the one drive just behind the prop shaft, pulling apart today to repair the mess, some light damage on the skegs but not to bad, ran into a low patch of sea weed and some rocks in a place where we have run hundreds of times with no problems. will be running the hydro P5X 28's the end of the week, been trying some stock bravos and labbed bravos just getting around 22% prop slip with them, I think the Hydros should fix that though.

I have HP500's that have been worked. When James owned the boat, he recamed them with some other work. Horse power I don't know but it's around 570. I love the hydro props but I am going to have them reworked to about a 29 pitch. They are a 15 1/4 diameter. When it gets really hot, I am only able to spin them to about 5300RPM. The fallowing is what I have written down from a testing session last year.

3500-52
4000-62
5000-79
5500-84
top speed was 89mph

At the end of the day what are you looking for? Top end or cruise. You won't get both without two different sets of props so save your money.

The boat runs fastest with 32 Labs. 5250 at 87 and 18% slip. Now it kinda sucks coming out of the hole but it's a sacrifice. Midrange slip is higher but I'm thinking fuel cost CAN NOT BE on your mind.

5-blades will give you better mid-range but, then again, I've never won a race in the midrange....

Mark, could you post the numbers that you have on the Maxmus 5 blade props so that we could see comparisons to the Hydromotives. Does your boat have stock 525's as the boat with the Hydromotives had engine modifications.

Not the same power. Can’t compare.

Pat is right, 32 labs give you the best top. Mid range is only 1-3 mph less. You can’t expect to go from turning a 32 to a 28 and compete on top. The 5 blades are a good 84-85 mph wheel. My prop slip with 5's went down to 13-14% but I am turning 4 pitches less wheel. If you could turn a 30 lab max that would be the ticket but the boat won’t pull more than 5000 with that wheel.

The advantage of the fives is handling and getting on plane. Hands down better. Some will sacrifice 2mph for that.


These outputs are done with a stock 525 boat with ¾ fuel and one adult.

I agree with Pat and everybody else. I like the 5-blades for the midrange/handling and is the reason I went with them.