25OL..Stellings Box..IMCO shorty..
 

Well I have some initial results to post. I am still trying to get the feel for it but here are some numbers...



BEFORE:



24P B1 4600 RPM:



Easy on plane, no blow out, max RPM was 4600 RPM no matter where it was trimmed 62 MPH. I liked the feel but was lacking top end. These numbers were mid summer (80 Deg) 1/2- 3/4 fuel 2 people





AFTER:



24P B1 5050-5100



Still very easy on plane, I could get 5000 RPM will ease and with trim could see 5050 or more.....full fuel 96 Gal, 2 people, and saw 65 MPH. It still lacked alot with the trim but RPM's were up. I really think there is more as my slip seems to be the biggest thing that increased. I have a 25P M+ I want to try and thing I might be able to spin a 26P B1?? These are all numbers based off first day...1 ft chop 15-20MPH wind

I had the 23P M+ on yesterday and the results were not so good. It still gets on plane with ease but that is where it ends. The fuel was starting to get lighter, roughly around 1/2 to 3/4 tank but "felt" lighter. Any trim at all and it blows out bad.....even with trim in and tabs a touch "1/2" down it'll blow out. At a cruise speed of 30-35 MPH and give it gas is just blows out.

WOT on the rev limiter was only 61 MPH. I just could not trim it enought to "loosen" it up. I think is one was going to use this prop a drive spacer would have to be used. I am still not certain that I don't need to put one in now. My dimension from bottom is 3".

I have a 25 M+ to try next weekend but I suspect the 3 blade will perform the same as the others. I would like to get my hands on a 26P B1 to try yet this summer.

I still know that with the current set-up the only real gain I have with the current props is slip. I am no expert on this so it is all trail and error for me.

More testing to come.....

Your prop height is too high Wayne!!!!! Drop it down about a inch- 1.25" and you'll see better results!!!

wait a minute you picked up 3 mph with a 4 blade and more rpm = speed. now you put a 3 blade on and slip, DON'T TOUCH THE HEIGHT until you try a 26 b1 prop . you may get 67 out of it at 4800 call bblades by a 26 if it works like I said then send it back and pay for labbing = another 2 to 3 mph. never ever put a 3 blade on a raised x or drive there made 3 blades for DEEP drive heights. if you space down then just sell the box you will still be at 62. there have been boats on here airtime 24ol and a 25ol that have picked up big # with a shortie or box and both. I will look going back 2 yrs ago for his posts

He's also running a Imco -2 Shorty on it..

You went to all the work to get your drive height
where it needs to be, three blades aren't going
to work anymore.

I really don't like the feel of the 3 Blade but I had it at the cottage at thought I would try it.....didn't like it.

As Irish said, I may put the stock lower back on just to see what happens. That would give me a 5" drive height, still an inch shorter than stock but will give me another variable to work with.

I am trying to find a 26P B1 to try this weekend.

as stated I would leave it alone until you try a 26 it looks like your going to need a bigger prop. if it was me I would call bblades pay for a 26 and try it then tell brett ok its low on rpms by 200 and slips out of the hole then he gets you more rpms and speed and gets it grab, but you said it does not slip anyway. if you can get a labbed 26 b1 to 5000= 72 to 73 mph. WILDCHILD from germany had a 250l 525 3'' raised imco box went from 74 to 81, then put a 600merc plus a 2'' shortie tested and went to 1 '' spacer perfect = up 4''. I put a 2'' shorie and carb change went from 76 to 83.2 ran out of prop. I think your dead on a 5 blade might work better. I have set my prop shaft on my new Saber 28 at 3'' with a konrad box and ace drive thats what they said and mine is a straight bottom no steps. so call brett you got 5 grand in new lift what 475 for a prop and a few extra to lab it to YOUR BOAT not a general lab like merc does. I want to see this ***** fly the Donzi guys are picking on us again.:evilb:

+1 sell all your 3 blade props Wayne unless your planning to take off the box.

+2

You are at the right RPM (5100). Send the Bravo One prop back to BBlades and get a touch more cup. The 496 makes max power right near where you are (5100). Why do you want to run at 4800 RPM?

It's not that I want to run 4800 but it seems the slip was lower. I am going to try a few things first before any more labbing

1) Try 26P B1

2) Stock lower

3) 1" Spacer

something should pan out


On a side note a potential problem I see is with the box and nose cone I only have 14" clearance from grount to nose cone tip. Any parking lot that has a steep decline, I am ohh so close to dragging the tip. I know I can add a protector to trailer but first off, I'm not sure who could do this and if it would look good or how much. Has anyone had any issues like this before?

The slip was lower because your prop was deeper in the water. Complete different setup now..

You only have 14" when drive is in full trailer? something isn't right there.

Yes 14" on full trailer........it sits farther back now and think it may be an issue. I could raise the bunks a bit but only would gain 2" at most.

You might look at getting a lower hitch on your truck. Just make sure it has the proper load handling rating. If you have room to lower the front and not drag, the back of the boat will raise up giving you more clearance.

You won't have any issues. Your trailer will hang up before your drive ever drags...

I raised my engine and drive up 3", it used to be 8" now it is 5". NO ext box and a standard bravo drive. I am running a Mirage 25p with double cup on the tips. My slip numbers are 9.8% @5200 RPM 74MPH. This was a few weeks ago when the temps were lower. I have not tried any other props yet.
I am probably at the limit for using the Mirage. Like was said before a 4 or 5 blade prop will most likley work best for you. Let us know what you find out.

make sure you do one thing at a time, like 26b1 by its self. then lower or spacer just add one thing and test.

Any more results to post?

If you haven't tried a 26 yet send me a message as I have a stock 26 a labbed 26 and a 24 I would let you try,are you from the boyne area,I think I met you a few years ago at the poker run on JB'S boat,Smitty

Nothing new to report.....didn't have much time to test after the fourth. I have a 1" spacer that needs to get fitted but won't happen this year. I am going for engine upgrades over the winter so that will really make testing fun since I never got the box and shorty dialed in.

Keep in mind I have a stock 26 and a labbed 26 w/ b-blades Baja cup added if you need to try them, let me know, Smitty

Thanks, when time comes again I will take you up on it.

wanna sell that 23p mirage plus?

It's my only spare at the moment.....next spring I will though if your still interested.

I have a queston so with the shortie you were at a propshaft height of 4'' is this correct ?? if so don't waste time with pulling it off do your up grades and then go out try the 26 which you need 500 hp to turn at 5200 to 5100rpm area if your closer to 560 to 600 a b128 might work . I hope to have #s posted by winter going to run the boat with the 3'' drive height with box and a 17 1/2 X on it looking for a 100 plus with a 1100 tune and then will detune to run on 91 for spring. so keep us posted.

So after reading the post over again it looks like you gained about 3MPH from the initial testing. I would think you would have gotten more than that. It would have been better to get it dialed in a little closer to know were you got the most speed for the dollar. Keep us updated if you get any more results.

I think he posted 3" with the raised box and shortie. Not sure if that accounts for the drop with the 12" setback.

with your X higher now its really of no use. mabye you could sell over the winter and try and get another 24p bravo to get worked on. you need a 4 blade for your application now. i spin a 24 4 blade as well for all around use. it has a harder time carrying the bow and the boat only runs about 70-71 with it at 5600 rpms.

try having it labbed by b blades for more bow lift. and you see more speed out of this type of set up when your looking to go 80 plus, so going from 60 to 64 is good. that nose on the lower really works in higher speeds my friend is seeing better handling running 90plus with the imco over the merc. same about my konrad ace you see a different over 85 and works better at 3'' or less.

I use a labbed 24P B1 99% of the time with the 23P M+ as a spare. The B1 is at Bblades now getting re-worked. I agree the M+ is not even close to the right prop which is why it is just a spare. As long as the other uprades pan out this winter the 23P will truely be useless and it will be yours and I'll get some new spares.

It is 3" currently at the nose cone.

It is 3" and I think too high....It needs to be at 4".

I should be in the 560-570 HP range with upgrades and really don't want anymore than that due to the Bravo 1X limitations. If I could get upper 70's with that set-up I'd be happy. 80 I believe is out of the question with just 560HP.

Hopefully you can try your Bravo prop before the season is over. I would think 3" would work with the right prop. Good luck with your testing!!

alright your at 3 wait do the motor work and try a 26 check your numbers then put a 1'' or 1/2'' spacer. the guy with the 25 ol tried going up 5'' with a 3''box and 2'' shortie he added a spacer of 1'' and was happy. but I for get if he ended at 3'' or 3 1/2'' so try it 1st after the motor work and if not happy then move down.