27bajaboss

Have a 1998 272boss 454 looking for the best prop have heard may options looking for the best top in runs around 4900-5000 rpms.

baja272454

I run a 22P B1 on an original 94' 350HP 454Mag/272/B1. I did back to back proptests in 50 deg weather with it and a 23P Mirage. the 23 ran 1 mph faster at WOT on MY boat THAT particular day. But I like the B1 better. Quicker to plane, especially if boat loaded. Less slip. What HP is your 454? Which prop you running now?

27bajaboss

Running 29P 3 blade on 385HP. Was looking to go to 26 4blade but i don't know if the RPMs and the motor can take it.

baja272454

Did I read that right? 29P on 385 horse 272? What kind of prop?
If it's a stock 385 horse, (1.5 ratio) Bravo1 drive, it came with a 23P Mirage. It should pull a 24P Bravo1 to 48-4900, with good top end and higher speed at 3000. I've tested a lot of different props on 4 diff 272's, the Mercury's gave me the best results, by far.

27bajaboss

Sorry old boat , old spec . That what happens when you do 2 things at once. Yes, 454 with 385HP, 23P Mirage is the spec now. So the best test you came up with was the 3 blade 24P. What speeds did you see and did you chip the motor ?

baja272454

No, On my current 272, Mercury 22P, Bravo 1 prop (all Bravo 1 props are 4 blade). But I'm only a "tired" carburated 350 hp. But you're 385 and spinning a 23 Mirage 5000, so the 24 pitch Bravo1 should get you 4800-4900 rpm and probably same top speed as u get now,+/- 1mph. It will give you higher speed at same cruise rpm, quicker planing, and better economy. And the boat will "handle" better at high speed.

272's I've GPS'd: (all 1.5 ratio) all Merc props

350hp - 22B1 - 5000 RPM - 57 mph
350hp - 23M - 5200 RPM - 58 mph

415hp - 23M - 5000 RPM - 60 mph (Shooter 502)

500hp - 26B1 - 5050 RPM - 71 mph (Blown 454)
500hp - 28B1 - 4950 RPM - 71 mph (Blown 454)

550hp - 28B1 - 5300 RPM - 77 mph (Blown/stroked 496/454)
550hp - 30B1 - 5000 RPM - 77 mph (Blown/stroked 496/454)


Temperature, altitude, weight load, and water conditions make a difference. Boat tachometers are notorious for being inaccurate.
The four boats were not tested on the same day.

I also tested some off-brand props but the data was not worth keeping.

27bajaboss

Thanks for all the info.