2112

Sorry I don't remember
I will look around here to see if I can find what props I was running & Pitch I do know that they were 6 blade herring :D
or you can just ask bigdanc I am sure he konws


Rick OSG

michael,im running 29 pitch 6 blade herrings seems to be the best set up for the gladiator with 800 zuls. i also run 32 pitch bravos non labbed,harder to plane off ,and your right docking is a pain with the drives so close together.

Once you get used to it and figure out all the diffrences, you can dock this set-up as easily as a traditional side by side set-up. (It only took me 2 years to get it right!) :D

My set up is nearly identical to yours. I am experimenting with bravo 32" and 34". What kind of rpm are you running up top with the 29"s?

Right now I dock with one drive and use the other engine to make sure power steering fluid is circulating and as a back up should I kill the first motor.

with the herrings turning 5600@108gps , have not done any testing with the bravos at top end, mid range acceleration with the herrings is amazing!!, also very little slip when planning.

I would have guessed a lot more RPM. Must be the lack of slip the 6 blades give you. I assume you haven't had any drive issues.

His drives have been beefed up by Philly.

I remember that, but they are still Bravo drives and he has big power and many blades :D:D. I think I remember a u-joint blowing out a while back.

I am just not convinced more than 4 blades is the way to go. I need some bow lift, not a lighter rear end. I am personally convinced that our boats need to keep the rear planted for tracking, especially in turns, and I like to get my speed without trimming the drives way out. Phil told me he liked unlabbed Bravo 1 props best but I don't remember why he felt that way.

But I am still dialing in and I may just change my mind. That is why I am asking you guys with more seat time:drink: what you are experiencing.

2112,

my Gladiator liked an in between size, 32 bravo banged down to 31 labbed Little to no cup. that got me the last 3 mph. The little to no cup was the secret with mine.

I tested 4, 5, and 6 blades and the more blades the better hole shot and mid range and the worse the top end.

I got less bow lift with the 5 and 6 blades. Then again I got a lot more bow lift with my standard drives before I changed to shorts and lost a lot of steering at the same time.

I was turning out but I was not staggered and running 1.5 gear ratio.

If you are running 1.36 and big power you will have a different scenario.

That boat was a picky sob when it came to props.

If it were me I would jump in the props section and get with Brett form BBlades or give him a call. He is pretty familiar with the Cig T/S proping issues.

I just recently discussed this with Phil in a lengthy discussion. Phil feels the best prop for a Glad is the 6 blade Hering. Second best is the 5 blade Hering and third best is a labbed 34. Now, remember, Phil has sold and operated more Gladiators than any other dealer and has more seat time in these boats than anyone else I know of including the factory. He also told me that the typical Gladiator likes to be trimmed out to no more than 3-3.5 on the trim indicator. And, I have to admitt that I have not found any better overall prop at this time than the 6 blade Hering.
Too much stern lift? Not according to Phil. I would like to try a modified Maximus as well as Throttle-Up,s new propellor. The search continues.