08 26 Outlaw 525 and XR ITS.
 

Rare setup I know but wondering if anyone with a 26 and 525 can tell me thoughts, tips etc. what prop worked best and top speed? I’m running a 26P bravo 1 labbed where I can hit the rev limiter on a light load and also a stock 26 bravo 1. Boat handles amazing and it’s very dry. Runs 69-71 easily and have seen 72-74 on occasion.

I don’t have a 525efi. But have a 08 26 with 496 HO. Best top speed is with a labbed 25 or 23 mirage plus. 64-65 mph gps all the time with light load of ppl. I’m at 600’ elevation. Cruising mpg is terrible with the mirage props. I’ve tried a stock 26 bravo 1 and went 61-62 mph. Bought a Bravo 1 FS 25.5. Works best all around. 62-63 mph almost any load in boat. The FS does require less positive trim than full length barrel to run top speed which means more control. I’m not sure if it is actually any faster though. If I had to do it again maybe try a Bravo 1 LT in the same pitch. These 26 outlaws are not light boats. The mirage plus props would fall off plane about 21-22mph. The FS about 19-20 and the regular bravo 1 about 17-18 mph.
These are my rpm with all props tried
23 mirage plus 33 mph @ 3300
25 mirage plus 33 mph @ 3150
26 stock Bravo 1 33 mph @ 2700
25.5 Bravo 1 FS. 33 mph @ 2950
Same order. 64-65 mph @ 5100
64-65 mph @ 4800
61-62 mph @ 4500
62-63 mph @ 5000

I would start with getting some cup put in your labbed Bravo 1. That is going to be the right prop. You could cut the diffuser down 3/8” and try that or add cup first. Test against the stock bravo 1 26. I think the FS has the barrel cut down 1/2” of more.
Just some more info for thought
We also have a 16 Nordic Rage with 520 efi. I bet it’s close to 1000lbs lighter than the 26 outlaw. Rage is only 23’ in reality. It came stock with a Bravo 1 26”. It would spin to 5200 rpm at 78 mph. Because the 520 doesn’t have headers I wanted to bring the rpm down a bit where there was more torque. Put on a 29 Bravo 1 FS 29”. Now the boats goes 80 mph at 5000 rpm. I also tried the labbed 25 mirage plus and it wasn’t any faster then the stock Bravo 1 26”. Turned about 100 rpm more at 1 mph slower.
if you add some cup into your labbed 26” your cruise mpg will increase as well. My 25.5 FS on my outlaw gets about 35% better mileage at 33 mph then either Mirage plus prop.

Just realized you have ITS. If you’re running a stock dual water pickup lower you might be leaving performance on the table. If your engine is mounted the same height as standard boats the lower is too deep. Mercury racing used to advertise a Sport lower ( not to be confused with sport master). It came with dual water pickups also and was 2” shorter. Also had a bit of an extended leading edge on the gear case. That change could give you 3-4 mph. The sport case is not on the web anymore.

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thanks for the reply and the info.

If your on the limiter 5350 now Id think you'd be able to pull a 28p B1 with that engine and the ITS set back, might be in the 5100 range ?

I tried a 28 and no good. Too much. Stock 26P has nice cruise and I was around 4950 light load. I need to try heavier to make sure I can spin at least 4800 but the labbed 26 has a little diameter out and thinner blades etc so that one spins on the limiter on a light load and might be a better choice for now. Maybe I’ll have the 26stock labbed a little by BBlades

What about a 25p mirage plus ? more cup might carry the nose a bit better

I really believe you should have Brett or whoever add cup to you labbed 26 Bravo. Typical lab jobs have no cup left. Send your pcm to whipple and have rev limiter changed.