Re: Prop 3 or 4 blade
 

I had my 1991 311 with 502 mags out a few weeks ago. I am spinning 24P labed bravo ones. I started with them turned out. With four people in the boat and full of fuel it saw 68 on GPS. I when jumped into the Cold St. Croix river and switched them so they spun inward. I figured I would gain one or two mph, so being cold would be worth it. Running the same strech of river with the same conditions I lost 1 mph! I was not only cold but, slower! What's going on. I thought spinning them in would increase mph not lose. Confused and cold!

Don

Re: Prop 3 or 4 blade
 

I spoke to the prop guys at Mercury last year and asked what the best prop was for my 89 311 454mags (nice guys, real helpful) and told me my Mirage 23 were as good as it gets for the boat. Didnt reccomend swapping props around or anything like that. Does anyone have a way to reach hydromotive, I'd like their input (and a set of loaners!)

Re: Prop 3 or 4 blade
 

Someone is feeding you a line. My 89' 311 came with 23inch Mirage. Swapped to 24inch Hydromotive Quad IV's. NO COMPARISON WHATSOEVER IN ANY WAY. The Quad IV's gave me 6/7 mph increase at cruise (32/3300 rpms) and 3 mph at WOT. Spinning out.

Hydromotive's # is 330-425-4266
website: www.hydromotive.com

They spent half an hour on the phone with me telling me exactly what I could and expect and why. I've had mine now for almost four years and could not be happier.

Re: Prop 3 or 4 blade
 

dgdock13 - did you run mirage or mirage plus before? If so, what did you see for difference in changing to bravo 1's.

Re: Prop 3 or 4 blade
 

FYI, I have a 1990 292SR1 w/ 454 mags. When I got it, it was running using 23P Mirages. it seemed that it turned as much as 5200+ RPM. This seemed to be too many RPM. So, I called Hydromotive and a couple of shops regarding an alternative. I eneded up with a set of 24P Bravo 1 4 blades. Man, I love the way the boat runs! The holeshot and midrange are awesome! Even my cruise speed is 5-6 MPH higher. However, I'm embarrassed to admit that I haven't run it WOT yet! :o My kids won't let me leave the house without taking them (I set a speed limit for them, despite many chants to go faster!) :p !!!

Re: Prop 3 or 4 blade
 

Formula1 - I would be curious to know what your WOT diference is with your new props. I am running 23 mirage+ at around 4800+ rpm on my 336. I picked up a set of 22p bravo 1 props that I have not tried yet. I hate to loose top end but I spend most of my time cruising at 50-55mph. I may ave to break down and pull the boat out and make the change.

Re: Prop 3 or 4 blade
 

Powerguy, I might go out one day this week solo. If I do, I'll try to make a WOT run and see what the difference is and post it here. I almost bought a set of 22's by the ol' rule that go down a pitch, good thing I didn't!

Actually, I searched boattrader online and found some similiar boats (there wasn't that many!) and saw what kind of props they were running. It was interesting the different information I rec'd. :cool:

Re: Prop 3 or 4 blade
 

Mr Outlaw, are your Quad IV's stock or labbed and blueprinted?
Thanks...MM

Re: Prop 3 or 4 blade
 

Bone stock. I believe the Quad IV's lift the stern slightly more than the Bravo's do. I got basically the same results as Formula1 seems to have gotten. I don't have a clue as to "which prop is better". I'd think it would come down to the particular boat. I just know what results I got, and it was EXACTLY what Hydromotive said I'd get.

Re: Prop 3 or 4 blade
 

Yeah, everything I've read point's to them being ideal, and my '89 292 is always gonna be even more arse heavy than your 311. I currently have a pair of 23" Mirages. Hmmm, I'll struggle to afford a new pair of quad iv's, I wonder if I can find someone with a used set that won't mind shipping them to the UK.

I have a friend who I need to catch :D:D:D