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
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!)

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 . 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 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.