Steve and Paul;

Thanks for the additional knowledge. I am working with Brett and we have been PMing each other but I ran out of weather up here. We are not enjoying the heat wave of the rest of the country.

Paul, Well either Phil has since changed his mind or I am misremembering the conversation. It was 3 years ago. I would believe his recommendations are as good as they come.

I don't trim out much either but it seems it would loosen up with a prop that would carry the bow. I am already running well but just like all of you I would like a little more.

Steve, there is a lot of information in your post. I will try to extrapolate your findings and apply them to my application. Thanks for taking the time:drink:

This is not a great picture but I am finishing going through the 90's when it was taken. As you can see not much trim.

please remember my boat was a side by side turning out with 1.5's

Is Phil saying 6 blades with big power and 1.36's? He would know he set most of these up.

Six blades and 1.5's with a pair of 525's no way, wrong prop in my opinion. Now if you are running a super high X and Sportmasters you might find a difference of opinion.

Again I don't have information on what you are running power wise or gear ratio.

I have 450 hours seat time in a Gladiator but like I said side by side turning out. I will tell you the straight up truth, remember everyones angle when getting advice.

Bud from Cigarette recommended the little to no cup that got me the last 3 mph so i would not discredit what you hear from the factory.

I have a pair of XR ITS with Imco 1" shorts for sale 1.5's in the OSO classifieds than came off my Gladiator if anyone is interested as an extra set of drives, especially if you are running higher hp.

Steve,
The six blades work very nicely on a staggered 525 1.5 boat with sportmasters.

What kind of speed to you see top end? do you have 2 inch shorts?

90 and yes. Plus, getting on plane is alot easier and the six blades are silky smooth and handle great.

Like I said if you are only running 90 in a staggered Glad you are leaving top end on the table, I bet your hole shot is good and mid range is great.

To be honest the 3mph you are missing is not worth what you would give up on the other end with 4 blades.

I ran 89.5 with 500's turning out. When I ran 5 or 6 blades I got good but sluggish hole shot and lost 3 mph on the top end.

If I was running shorts in a stagger I would want as many blades in the water as possible also.

Agreed!