Propping a 272
 

Just picked up a 2000 272 with 385hp 454 Mag. It came with a Mirage 3 bladed 23p prop on a Bravo 1.

Had her wide open on the lake, ran 99 km/h (about 61.5 mph) with a full tank of fuel (340 litres) and just me in the boat, 1' chop. Was turning about 4750 RPM. I need to pick up a spare prop anyway, so was wondering what other owners reccomend. Would like some more top end if possible, even if the bottom is sacrificed.

4 blade?

Congrats on your purchase,I used to own 2001 272 with 502mag 22p bravo worked well.The midrange and cruise was better than 3 blade but no increase in speed.The 4 blade in my opinion was best for over all performance,post a picture might see you on Lake Ontario.

Had the same boat, your pretty much at the max speed with your set-up. Run it and enjoy it.

I have two friends, one has a 2000 272 with a 502 mag and one has a 2005 275 with a 496 HO and they both run about 63-64...so, I'll have to agree with everyone else...that's all she's got captain!

If you want to gain a 1 mph maybe 2 mph and have $1k. Buy a mirage plus 25, get the #'s and send it off for labbing.

61 mph is pretty good for 385 hp, I personally wouldn't touch it. Keep the $$$ for gas in the tank

Those 25 Mirage + are a Bioch to spin, had em on behind my 502's could only turn them 4400, that 385 hp motor might have a tough time, but with that said they are for sale.

I went down this road years ago,,,,, labbed/cupped 23 Mirage plus was the best all around for me

Yeah, that's what's on there now. A Mirage 23 plus 3 blade. I'm fine with the performance, just wanted to make sure I was getting everything she had. 4750 RPM sound about right?

If you were buying a spare prop, would you get another identical?

for a 385 that's about right,,,,if you were going for every little bit of perf, you can have the prop worked to get a little more RPM out of the motor

And yes, I would buy the same prop,,,,,,

oops

i have a 500 efi in my 1998 272 spinning a 25 mirage + that has a mercury lab can only spin it 5100 and runs 70.9 it blows out just before it drops on to plane but if you ease in to it it is fine oh and my drive height is raised a couple of inches over stock i know mine has a little left in as the computer is good to 5600 but i am pretty happy with it for now until i get bored and whipple it LOL

4750 RPM sounds like you're down on power to me. You should be closer to 5000. The M+ 23 is the right prop for your boat HOWEVER it needs WORK. They have high slip numbers stock and blow out easy. With the diameter reduced, pitch increased, blades thinned and cup/rake adjusted for the Baja to carry the bow, you can pick up substantial "top end" without giving up anyhting else. My +/- 450HP with Bblades custom wheel (based on the M+23) runs very high 60's.

Well, she could probably use a tuneup too. Who knows how accurate the tach is also. What's one of those tuned props worth, roughly?

Would a 21 plus be better for him rather than all the work on the 23? I'm sure if he is looking every last bit out of it the 23 would be better but I would think that a 21 plus could be thrown on and be done. On the other hand though, it might be a wash?

Not to hijack, but since we are on the subject...I am getting a 496HO for my 272 and on hand I have a 21 plus and a 24 bravo 1...I would like to use one if I could rather than buy another or lab. Would one be ok? I know the 21 is too small and the 24 is too big, but would the 24 be ok or will it be lugging the motor too much?

True. Don't forget The ICM in the distributer cap while you're at it. I can't quote prices of coarse but mine was done at the shop in WI, (there's an awesome recipe in my file) less than 500 to have it tuned, balanced and blue printed I believe, but you'd have to talk to him to be sure. A lot depends on what you're starting with too.

A 21 wouldn't yield any top end gain for sure. I understood "top end" was the stated goal.

The 24 is prolly perfect for a stock wheel. Bolt it up and nail it.