Prop selection for 99 353 HP500 w/boxes?
 

I think the boat currently has the original merc 4 blade in 30P. I'd like to turn these into spares. Any prop suggestions for improvement without breaking the bank? Thanks.

I'd go with a set of labbed 28 5 blade Maximus. 15 1/4" diameter, with a little work, 5200 rpm's.

Dave

I read that these would create more stern lift. I'm no expert on this but wouldn't this push the bow down on the 353 who bow runs a little low already? How about the Hydromotive P5X? Some people claim they run as good out of the box without the expense of labbing the Maximus. Just trying to avoid a $2k experiment!

I have a s set of 28 pitch 15 5/8 5 blade maximus for sale in excellent shape

Did they actually make 15 1/4 and 15 5/8?
What boat / motors were you running them on?
Have they ever been repaired or reworked and why are you selling?

Snoboard - your PM box is full. Anyway, there are some nice programs out there now where they're offering demo's for a $40 turnaround fee. Merc racing prices are a bit high on the Maximus - you can get these from Mertinemarine.com for about $1080 each. I think I'm going to have my 4 blades tweaked to see what that does to the top end.

Yes but you may be able to trim higher and have the extra blade to "carry" the bow.

That was my experience with my 311 anyway. Yor hull may react different

Thanks, I had an older Wellcraft hull like the 311 and it was bow high most of the time, never had a chance to throw cleavers on. The 353 stepped hull behaves a bit different than the std. deep V's - I may try a little work on the 4 blades before going to the 5's.

Let us know how it works !:drink:

I never anticipated this much trouble dialing in my new setup. This year I have tried 30P Bravo 4 @ 5500 rpm 28P Bravo 4 @ 5700 rpm and 27P Mirage 3 @ 5850 rpm. I cant ring out more than 82 in salt water. It makes no sense considering we have a combined increase of 80 more cubic inches 186 tq and 270 hp on the dyno vs the original hp 500s but only picked up 3 mph. The new motors peak tq at 4800 and hp at 5800 vs the hp500s which maxed tq at 4300 and hp at 5300. I spoke to Brad at BBlades but we are all over the place with recommendations. He was thinking of having me try 5 blades but the bow seems to carrying to low already with the 4 blades. I wish there were some good shops left in NJ that did prop dialins and rigging.