Is any one out there using Hydromotive props on their fastech? I want to replace my 26p bravo 1 on my 271 fastech. I was wanting a labbed 28 bravo1 but would like to hear some info on hydro's. In another post magicfloat has said that labbed props don't work as well on the 271. Can anyone shed more light on that? Thanks

cstobe -

I have a 1999 271 Fastech and am experimenting with a Hydro P5 26P and a labbed 28P Bravo 1. If you are interested we can share some info and maybe save ouselves some time and $$$.

The P5 gave me way too much stern lift. The boat flew level with almost no positive trim. I sent it back to Throttle Up to add some cup to the blade tips. It helped lift the bow but not nearly enough. Julie at TU wants to see pictures of the boat on plane before doing any further mods. In my opinion, TU is a first rate outfit.

I haven't tried the labbed B1 yet. Probably next week.

BTW...My motor is a Whipplecharged 502. My drive ratio is 1.65:1, LH rotation.

I'll keep you posted.

Greg

I have an '04 271 w 496 mag.
1.65 lower- I had a mercury labbed 28 which worked fairly well, 4900 rpm@ 62-63 mph, off Florida keys.
I had a 26 briefly and it was constantly hitting the rev limiter.
After BBlades made some minor changes it would plane better and would run 5000 rpm at 60 mph, 800 foot elev. fresh water.
Unfortunately I just destroyed it yesterday on a poorly marked rock ledge.
So now I Need to figure out what to do.
I was thinking of going back to a 26 and getting my ecu mapped, rev limiter bumped to 5495 rpm

I tried a 26p Hydro on my 99 271. It didn't run bad but I lost a couple of mph on the top end and the mid range was slower. I tried labbed 26 and 28p Bravos and the best was my stock 26 that was tuned up by my local prop shop. He didn't cut it down and thin the blades like most labbed props just balanced it and put in a little more cup. I found that labbed props on this boat are a little faster on the top end but I lost 3-4 mph in the midrange. I would run 47-48 at 3500, 54-55 at 4000 rpm and 67-68 top end at 5000 rpm on the speedo. I hope this helps as I spend 3 summers playing with props and not really gaining much.

Thanks for all the info guys! I had a chance to run the boat again yesterday to get some #'s for thottle up to work with. My boat is a 98 with a 502 mag, last fall we were seeing 66mph (speedo) @ 4900rpm. Now it has EMI tunder exhaust & a cp performance mpi upgrade. Last weekend @ 65 degrees we hit 69mph(speedo) 65 on gps @ 5200. Yesterday @ 85 degrees I hit 64.1gps @ 5100rpm. All this is with the same 26 bravo 1. I guess 2-3 mph on the speedo isn't a bad start. Throttle up said my slip with this prop is 17% wich is on the high side. Does any one have any ideas how to lower that #???? My propshaft at nuetral trim is 4" below the keel.

Greg,
I hope the labbed bravo works out for ya with the whipple charger a 28 should have an awsome holeshot. In another thread someone said that the fastechs have natural stern lift. Are the p-5 's advertised as a stern lifting prop? Ihave read that bravo 1's give bow lift, what about the new maximus? Unlike every other boat i have owned this 271 doesn't like a whole lot of positve trim.
How much horsepower did the whipple charger give your 502? Eventually I'd like to procharge ours after we get enough hours that the engine needs freshened up.
I see you are from AZ, does the heat out there kill horsepower? As in my previous post I saw a difference in just 20 degrees. Come the middle of June I may not be able to pull a bigger prop. let me know how the prop testing goes!

I think the Whipple puts me at around 600 hp. You are correct about the hole shot. Especially with the 5 blade P5. It feels like it wants to jump on plane at idle. I don't know yet if it is right for the 271 hull yet though. So far, it seems to plow the water (no bow lift). I don't know anything about the Maximus.

Your Formula runs stronger than mine did stock. With the same B1 26P, I was turning 5000 rpm and 61 mph gps. With the supercharger and the B1 26P I was hitting the rev limiter at 5400 rpm at 67 mph. I never got to really test anything since then because I've been chasing an intake water leak.

I boat at about 1400' elev. The heat takes about 2 mph off of my top end in the summer.

I'll be getting out again next week. I'll probably run the Hydro P5 first. I don't have high hopes for the labbed 28 because of what I've been reading on this forum but we'll see.

I am going to re-measure the distance my propshaft is from the keel. My first measurement with neutral trim was about 5-1/2". I don't understand why the difference for 1 year difference in our boats.

I'll keep you posted.
Greg

Chris -

I tested the labbed 28 B1 today. It definately has more bow lift than the Hydro P5.
With the B1 lab, I was bumping the rev limiter at around 5400 rpm and 70 mph. Midrange with the lab prop isn't so great.

I really like the P5 because of the mid range handling but the 26P that I have also bumps the rev limiter so I can't use it unless Throttle Up can add an inch of pitch or so to it. Otherwise, I need to sell it. It looks like I will be looking for a used 28P B1 or a 30P B1 lab unless TU can help me out. Can't afford another P5 new, and there aren't many used ones out there.

How is your prop testing going?

Greg

Have either of you tried the Maximus yet? It looks like these are the props for our Fastech hulls. I have a 353 and am in the process of testing them. Just got mine back from BBlades and am going to splash on Monday and see what difference it made.

The first test out went pretty well. GREAT acceleration and minimum RPM's to put the boat on plane. I bought to big of a diameter prop to start and that hurt on top (couldn't pull the RPMS), so Brett cut the diameter back to 15 1/4" and lab finished the blades.

Magicfloat has tested the Maximus...could be worth a call to see if he has any "extras" floating around for you to check out for him!

Dave

Senator if you are testing in the Bay and intend to park it in your slip you best be calling HBW. Poacher in the slip and a pile-o-timber on your dock, as of this afternoon.