28ZX Prop Talk
 

I have had plenty of side conversations and there are a bunch of threads on 28ZX props... This thread will hopefully consolidate all of the info into a one spot check point. If you have tested props please include your boat model (ZX or ZXO); Year, Drive ratio!, describe pros/cons in planing, handling, cruise, top end, etc.

2008 28 ZXO, 6.2 MPI's, 1.65 ratio

23" Mirage Plus
-Planing stinks, easy to blow out. Nearly impossible to plane in rough water.
-Handling stinks, easy to blow out a prop in a turn
-Top End.. 65 at 5200+ (on the limiter). Can't trim past neutral or it hits the limiter

Overall: These props are too small, miserable planing, poor handling.

2008 28 ZXO, 6.2 MPI's, 1.65 ratio

25" Mirage Plus
-Planing stinks, easy to blow out. Nearly impossible to plane in rough water.
-Handling moderate
-Cruise is ok
-Top End.. Probably low 70's but I didn't leave them on long enough to find out. They are poor in rough water, poor to plane, poor with heavy loads.

Overall: These have the top end speed but lack everything else.

2008 28 ZXO, 6.2 MPI's, 1.65 ratio

26" Bravo 1
-Planing is awesome. No issues, trim it however and go. Rough water planing is no problem
-Handling is good, no prop blow out in turns.
-Top End.. 68 at 4800. Trim set high
-Cruise.. Awesome. 55 MPH fast cruise. Easy cruise at 45+. Very efficient. The boat seems to free up from the water over 40 so these are the best cruising props.

Overall: So far my "go to" prop that i keep on the boat almost exclusively. Not the best top end but it will go 65 all day long and the cruise, handling, etc. are all so good that it's easy to leave these mounted.

2008 28 ZXO, 6.2 MPI's, 1.65 ratio

24" Bravo 1
-Planing is the best. Basically the same as the 26's but quicker.
-Handling is the best. Tight turns at speed are easy, no blow out, holds the water really well. Hanging U turns in a channel is no problem, boat digs in to turns like a classic digging in, rolling into it steep.
-Cruising is decent. just over 40 MPH at 3200. low 40's at 3500 (maybe 43-44-ish). This was in a confused 3 foot slop. Also able to cruise slow which is nice for when the seas pick up (easily cruise at 30 which is near impossible with the Mirages)
-Top End.. Abysmal (so far). I ran out of space but the most I could get is 60 @ 5100 RPM. I'm a bit bamboozled by this number. I ran them full fuel, full water, 4 people in the boat... but even under these conditions I can hit 65 with the 26's

Overall: Amazing props if I ever decide to do any kind of water skiing, tubing, etc. Kinda turns the ride into a big ass ski boat. Might be better ot top with less load.

2001 28zx 350 mag mpi's bravo 1's 1.50 ratio.
Mirage Plus 23's
Will run 68-70 mph gps all day long. Fastest has been 71mph. Slip calculator shows <10% at 5100 rpm.
Comes up on plane really easy. Will stay on plane as slow as 23mph.
Handling is great, but going to full hydraulic steering next year.
Also want to do Lunatti stroked kit @ 383cuin, so there goes the prop setup!

I'm ready to measure X dimensions at this point. It seems like all the older (pre 2005) 350 mag boats with the 1.5 ratio all run great with Mirage + props... and all us with newer boats with the 1.65 drives have issues with them.

I am beginning to wonder if they got more aggressive with the X at the same time.

I wonder if anyone has tried the 25 Bravo 1's or 25 Revolution 4's. That's what BBlades was recommending with my slip numbers. But it seems you found the best with 26 Bravo's. I agree like we discussed, Mirage Plus 3 Blade 25P suck big time on the ZXO with 6.2's. Even after having them worked, adding more cupping, and testing I find them better. But, having said this, they still blow out easy, don't create the lift of the 4 blades, and the improvement was minimal. 5-7 mph at top end is no real improvement when the drive-ability of the rest of the boat suffers.
Good Post Vette!

I have a 2003 ZXO with 350 mags (300 hp) bravo 1/ 1.50. I have Merc mirage puls 23p. I have hit 70 on the gps but run 66-68 all day. Props are top of my list of upgrades. Brett at Bblades is recomending the revolution 4. I have read a lot of great reviews on him and his company, so I am going to try them out early next spring. I am looking for a nice cruise and better control at the dock.

Silly question... Which way do you spin your props? Mine are set fron Donzi to spin "in". I do not plan to change that, but a few people have told me it will handel better.

Great post, Matt

Vette, interesting stuff PMed you about a year ago if you remember. 6.2's 1.65 ratio. Same experience as you even with 25's, blow out easy, especially with some chop going on. Even have to lay back and then start over again. Had just got some 24 bravo's, haven't had them on yet.

That aint a silly question. Are you sure? Most i thought were spinning out. I have a closed bow though, so unsure if they spun em different.

Word is the factory set up Scorpion edition 28's to spin In (starboard engine spins counter clockwise, Port engine spins clockwise).

The rest of them were set up to spin Out...

With that said: I have seen them set up both ways on both Scorpion edition and regular boats. Both ways on ZXO's and ZX's as well. I don't know if it is a factory or owner change.

If I remember correctly mine spin out. I go by the decals on the transom :lolhit:

My next prop test will hopefully come this weekend. Hydromotive 26" Q IV. I'm waiting on the delivery of castle washers before I can bolt them on.

I have not tried 25" Bravo 1's (they don't make them, so it would be a custom order). I'm guessing Brett wants to take a 24" Bravo and cup the hell out of it to add lift and also reduce RPM. I won't use BBlades, bad experience, Mr. Fixxall here and on donzi net suggested DAH: http://www.dahpropellers.com/ I trust him so that's who I will use when the time comes. They are cheaper and they polish the props so they don't look like turd when they are done.

Regarding the Revolution 4's... I have looked for a set used and they are HARD to find. I think they max out at 25" so there just aren't that many of them. They also have a HUGE blade. Considering our boats are designed for a 3 blade wheel I think the bigger blade will destroy top end, and considering how efficient the cruise is with the Bravos I don't think they will work well on our boats. just my opinion though so take if FWIW.

Beachbum: You have one of the fastest ZXO's out there. I looked at a scorpion edtion ZXO that could only hit 73. Mr. X (used to test drive every boat at the factory) said the Opens are slower because of the air flow over the bow. I'd actually like to try running with the cockpit cover on to see if it runs faster.

You mean the bow cover????

Yes I meant bow cover, was obviously too early when I typed that !!!

I had visions of that Enterprise Rental Cars commercial where the car is all wrapped up in brown shipping paper and driving down the road!

Have you thought of switching to 1.50 ratio, and, do you know how to measure the X value? I'd be interested in doing a comparison with you (I want to know as well, for future purposes).

The enterprise thing is hilarious, my covers are even tan to match!

We can measure the X in a simple way... just take a tape measure and measure the distance from the lowest part of the transom assembly to the bottom of the hull directly below it in a vertical line. To double check accuracy we can also measure the top of the transom assembly to the bottom of the underside of the swim platform.

I can measure mine Thursday... taking the day off to go boating:)

I am sure my props spin "in" I have decals on the transom that show what direction they should go.
As far as my GPS speed. I have a Livorsi set up. Another silly question, is there any way to calibrate a spedo? Do they have a +/- of any MPH?
Any way, I love this thread, I look forward to reading about which one works out best for you.

It should be calibrated properly. If you have a smart phone you can get a number of free GPS apps that will show you speed on the screen to double check the accuracy.

Also, I'm not questioning your speed at all, just making a statement. It's a great speed to hit and it sounds like your boat runs right!

My measures off the transom plate as you described are 6.5" down, and 6.5" up (at flat of the bottom of the swim platform, past radius).

SeaTow has a free GPS speedo App

I'll check mine tomorrow...

I just looked at pics/video of my boat and my props also spin IN from the factory so my previous statement was wrong.

Mine turn out...

There is a 2005 ZXO on eBay right now... 350 Mags, turning in. Looks like M+, probably 23 pitch.

This is beginning to blow my mind. Every boat is different. I wonder if Donzi just left it up to the person hooking up the cables.

I have a 2000 just like yours, numbers are real close. 71.8 gps Ran a little faster with 25 M not pluses. 72.6, but at 3500 ran about 4-5 mph faster than 23's M pluses...X on mine looks like 7 from bottom up 6 from top to swim platform...

That's interesting... you seem to be a half inch higher in drive height.

What kind of R's are you turning with the 25's? I'm on the rev limiter with 23's and have a lead on a clean set of 25p's.

Good news and bad news...

Good news is I got on the boat yesterday. I also got to try the 26 Hydromotives.

Bad news is I forgot my tape measure and the weather was horrible so it was a very short ride.

This is just an initial trial of the props. So far they seem to behave between the M+ and the Bravo. Planing isn't terrible like the M+ (no blow out) but there is slip getting moving. Cruise is about 45 at 3500. Top end, not really sure as I ran out of real estate in the one spot I ran... got it up to 63 and climbing though. at full throttle, trimmed, and 60+ the boat is light in the rear.

I'll test more this weekend. I think between these and one of the Bravo sets I'll send one set out to be worked and labbed.

Same here on rev limiter with 23, 25's remember not pluses 4800-maybe 4850, if you get 25 m pluses should be at 5000 or real close....

The plus version adds cup, so you have to factor in an extra inch of prop... so 26". If you are running 4800-4850 with the M then the M+ will be 100-200 RPM less than that.

I ran again with the Hydro's this weekend. Definitely a bit too much stern lift at speed. Top speed, still near full fuel and a loaded boat with 4 people heading to the sandbar was 66.

All in all, these aren't the ones for me. They would be a great upgrade for someone that is on the fence with the 1.65 drives running the M+ props. I think labbing these and adding cup for bow lift would easily take the boat into the 70's.

That may still be an option for me but I'm a bit scared to have this set of props labbed props hanging off the stern. I could see my kids getting hurt climbing in/out of the boat at the sand bar.

So... if anyone wants to buy or trade these let me know. I'll take a clean set of 25 M+'s. I traded mine for the Bravo 24's and I think I'd like a set for the occasional time when I just want to run fast.

Just really got to run the 25 mirage plus's out.
Maybe 3/4 to 7/8 fuel, me, the wife, and son. Best was 68 on the gps, 5100 rpm. Was fooling with trim, went in a little, could feel and see on the gps, went down to 66. Just curious also in this thread about hours on the engines. Mine have about 600 so they could be a little tired.
Vette, on the 25's could you run the drives all the way out and not hit the rev limiters? I was trimmed up to the limit switch still did'nt pick up any speed. I let it eat for about two miles.

245hrs

Sorry, just got back to this... life in the way of fun, kids starting school + sick + work deadline.

Anyway, in regards to the 25's I can't recall where my trim was in the end but I do recall I wasn't trimmed all the way out. If memory serves a bit out from neutral.

I haven't used the boat much at all this year, had high hopes but reality kicked in. Hopefully we'll get out this weekend, Monday maybe... Work to do the rest of the weekend. All well :eek:

Hi fellas,

I'm relatively new to this, so go easy please... :)

I've got a 2000 28ZX Scorpion with the Mercury Racing (blue) 377 Scorpion engines... everything about the powertrain is stock as far as I know.

I've got what I think is a pair of older Mirage props (maybe before they came out with the 'Plus' line???)... The lettering on the side reads: EE Quicksilver 48 18280 (& 18281) A45 27P
So I'm not sure what this equates to when I see you all talking about Mirage + 23s, 25s, etc... Thoughts? I'm also pretty sure that my drive rotate outward... my mechanic and I have never really paid attention, but were looking at how the blade moves as we rotated them by hand... outward seemed to look right to us.

Anyways, my boat has always run like a champ... My best speed on GPS was 81.6mph (Gaffrig GPS Speedo, Garmin handheld Marine GPS, and buddies iPhone) at about 5100-5150 RPM. I've read this is the absolute most I should/will see out of this boat in its factory trim. I am not complaining. :)
On a normal day I will spin the engines to about 5000rpm and see 78-79mph easily.

To take off I'll throttle up both engines to about 2600-2700 rpm (any more will blow the props off) and once the bow levels out, I can pretty much punch it from there. The boat corners like a Porsche on the water IMHO.

I have the props off now, and am considering sending them to BBlades for some cleanup (looks like I hit some gravel with them or something - nothing major, but just a little chewed on the edges) and possibly a labbing? I don't really know what that means at this point... so I'm not sure really what I'm after at this point.

If I had to guess, I'd say that my blades are pretty well matched for my boat right now... they operate right where these engines want to (4800-5200 RPM operating range) and the boat will scoot right along up and down the Potomac.

Any thoughts, input, or feedback?

Thanks fellas... and nice thread by the way. :)

- justin

Based on your numbers you are probably running labbed props already. They are more likely to get damaged because the blades are thinner.

It's likely that the lab job added the cup to it so you probably have what is basically a plus minus the name.

Yep, that could very well be the case... the guy that I bought the boat from said he thought they might have been worked already when he bought it - but he wasn't totally sure either. I guess that would make a little more sense based on my healthy numbers.

In your experience, any other props out there I should be looking at to try instead? Also, what about a pair of spare props - do most of you keep a spare set handy in the even\ty you hit something and really screw things up?

If you want top speed you are using the right set of props.

If you want better cruising, planing, etc. you might want to try Bravo 1's.

As far as a spare set goes, I sometimes put a set on the boat, sometimes not. Depends on where I am going. If I am running a long trip I'll put on a set just in case but I'm a bit more cautious than most.

I talked to the previous owner... he said my props had been labbed before. now I'm not sure if they will clean up as nicely since they've already been worked a bit. We shall see I suppose...

As for the Bravo 1's, that's a 4-blade prop yes? I understand better planing in that the boat just gets up on plane faster, but how does that affect my "cruising"? What kind of difference would I see while say, running down the river at 50-60 mph? Would the Bravo 1's also allow me to stay on plane at slower speeds?

Thanks much for the input!

Bravo 1's (yes 4 blade) should give you faster cruising / lower RPM. Easier planing, I literally push the sticks forward and let it do it's thing at any trim angle. I have a terrible time getting on plane in rough water with the Mirage+, as the boat starts to get up as you go over waves they blow out and you have to start over. I have yet to have any issue in any conditions with the Bravo 1's.

They are more connected to the water for me and I'm better able to adjust the attitude of the boat while cruising for optimal speed and/or ride. Handling is also better while at cruise or less speeds.

Top end... Mirage Plus all the way. Bravo 1's make the rear end a bit light... not a huge deal just one of the down sides. you are likely to lose 3-5 MPH top end running them with gains everywhere else.

IMO our hulls like to cruise around 45 MPH for maximum efficiency and you can do so very well with the Bravo 1. You can also run a more efficient fast cruise (say, 55 MPH... maybe 60+ for a Scorpion boat) with the B1's. For the other end of the spectrum... yes, you can stay on plane at a much slower speed with them. I used to boat in St. Marks FL where there is a narrow and winding channel loaded with boat traffic and it's worlds easier dealing with all that with the B1's. The M+ in the same channel I had to run faster and I'd blow out one of the props in every turn.

Figured I would update this thread... (And Vette, thanks very much for your info!)

Brett just called today from B-Blades... he has my older Mirage props and said they were stock. He's going to lab them, change the cup around a bit, etc etc (the talk is still mostly greek to me) but said that he should be able to get about 200rpm more for me, along with better planing and better mid-range as well. I'm stoked because these props have been great already...

I'm also going to look into getting a set of Bravo 1's from him as well - perhaps a little later this summer, but he seemed to make the same recommendations as the other veterans in this thread. Thanks to everyone for their input... I'll make sure to have a couple of GPS numbers to post up after the new blades are in and on the boat!