Shoot, I read this message too late!

OK, I'm starting to wonder if my prop supplier knows what he is talking about.

I wonder if a 23 mirage (NOT PLUS) would have been the perfect fit.

private message
 

I received your message ,give me a call when you can,Darin 10:00-10:00 7 days a week

Chuck try the 4 blade you will love it Darin can help with this.

That's what I said above. You probably need either a 21 plus, or 23 mirage. Again, Merc added more cup to the newer plus models, so you typically go down 2" in pitch compared to the standard Mirage. Any Merc prop dealer worth his salt should have known this.

So a 23 Mirage plus is more like a 25 Mirage. Return that prop, 4200 is way to low, and is overburnding the engine. In my opinion, it is better to be a little too high on RPM's than too low.

As mentioned, you could try a 22 4 blade if available.

Jaybird,

OK, now I get it. And I had read your post after buying the 23 mirage +. It wasn't clear to me when I bought it that was what I was getting so I asked for clarification (after the fact of course). Prop supplier responded to me to say "all mirage props are plus. that is the new style. the plus has extra cup as compared to the first generation mirage" Wish he would have told me on the front end! Oh well.

OK, well I'll definitely have to make a change and let you know the results...I'm think this boat should do 60mph with the right prop...

Chuck

Re: 242LS prop choice - cruising, speed
 

I returned the 23 mirage plus and I'm going to try a 22 Bravo I four blade next.

Last weekend the temperature gauge went up after a cruise. Mechanical pulled the water pump to find the impeller had disintegrated. It's always something :)

So hopefully I can try the four blade this weekend.

Re: 242LS prop choice - cruising, speed
 

I ran the 4 blade bravo 1 today. Topped out at 55mph @ 4800rpms trimmed out. Acceleration is better and the boat gets on a plane much quicker. Runs about 34mph at 3200rpms. Boat handled the waves better too which I don't understand. Oh, and no "porpoising" with this prop, when I ran the 3 blade mirage+ the boat was jumping out of the water at mid range cruising speeds.

Re: 242LS prop choice - cruising, speed
 

Sounds like you've found the right prop. 4800 is right in the middle of that engines WOT operating range. 4 blade props "hold / grip" the water better, which can improve your ride. Also you are probably running a different trim angle with this prop, which also affects handling.

Well with a new water pump and prop, sounds like you're ready to go boating!

Re: 242LS prop choice - cruising, speed
 

I should be getting the 22 pitch bravo prop soon. The one I tested was a test prop and was painted blue of all colors. Got all kinds of comments about it at the boat yard. Hope to be on the bay this weekend.

Two weeks ago I burned up ANOTHER impeller. I was running the motor on the rack and the flusher thing wasn't on there correctly.

This time I changed it myself. Hopefully I was able to get the water pump on there right. Just as I finished installing it last weekend it started to rain, so I didn't get to go for a test drive.