311 Props- What are you using???
 

I know there is a way to start a poll . . . I would rather just ask: Anyone with a Bravo drive 311, what are you running for (a) power and (b) props and (c) what do you see for (i) hole shot (ii) mid-range (iii) top end and (iv) general driveability? I have some warmed up 454's- probably in the 400hp range -and am running some 25p Mirage Plus props. Am going to a pair of 22p or 24p Hydromotive Quad IV's. I feel that the boat runs well now but tends to want to blow the props out (my seat of the pants impression- haven't managed to do the deed yet). Opinions? Thanks.

Re: 311 Props- What are you using???
 

Running 23 Mirage's 454Mags .... out of the hole is fine .. pops right up .....I did 35mph@3000rpm and 60mph@4600 ..I had Throttle left .. I am looking at a pair of Quad IV's 23's ....

Re: 311 Props- What are you using???
 

What RPM can you spin those 25 plus props to?

Re: 311 Props- What are you using???
 

I'm running Quad IV's. No comparison to the old Mirage. I've got stock 454 mags.
Picked up 6/7 mph at 3300 and 3 at WOT. The Quad's lift the stern higher out of the water and reduces drag tremendous. The 311's are serious a$$ heavy boats. Boat runs much flatter now. Just jumps on plane and midrange is much stronger. Definitely go with the 24 inch Quad's, I'm running those. The reduced drag allowed me to up one inch in pitch from the 23 Mirage, although I know that is not the general rule. It just worked for my boat, should work for yours.

Re: 311 Props- What are you using???
 

Jaybird- I am only spinning to around 4500rpm right now- however, this is not WOT and not trimmed up. I have been gradually working my way up throttle to see where I get. Formula Outlaw- great info., I was going to go to 22p Quad IV's- I have a friend that wants the 24p that has the 22p. I bought 24p to swap with him . . . maybe not . . .

Re: 311 Props- What are you using???
 

If you ordered the 24P Hydro's definitely give that a shot, especially considering the results that Russ got. However you should test your current props at WOT and cruising RPM's to baseline results.

Re: 311 Props- What are you using???
 

I will be getting the 23 QIV's soon ..I talked to Matt at throttleup and he seem's to think I should be running 21's ! That is with the info I gave him ...I ran 64@4900 and 44@3300 ....I know Russ (outlaw) runs 24's and loves em ...so we'll see ... What I didnt like about what Throttleup told me was that he didn't think I would gain on topend ..should help low and midrange but not top end ..we'll see ...... Mike

Re: 311 Props- What are you using???
 

I have heard various stories about the 311's inability to go "fast" even with big power. My impression is that the boat is simply a big fat pig- which is one of the things that attracted me. I should have the 24 Hydros on the boat tomorrow afternoon and I will post before and after results on Monday based on the top secret GPS, Lake X testing I perform : )

Re: 311 Props- What are you using???
 

I can dispell that fat pig story. My 311 with supercharged 454/420's is pretty fast. Probably pushing around 550hp. Can't give you GPS qualified #'s, but I have a pretty decent idea from running along side my friend's boats that do have GPS that I am somewhere in the low 80's, and that is with undersized props. I currently run Mirage 25's with added cup, and I can spin those to 5600. This fall I hope to try a set of Quad-IV's, but I have no extra $$ currently.

Re: 311 Props- What are you using???
 

Jay, nice motors. Those older 454/420's are durable as all hell. If I could ever find a set of good ones I'd grab'em in a heartbeat and do exactly as you did. Those 420's were among as durable motor as Mercruiser ever produced. I know two boats up in Maine that each has over 900 hours on and are still running like new. I wish they still made them.

With the reduced drag those Quad IV's produce, I can't see how you could not see some kind of increase in top end. Just my two cents.

Re: 311 Props- What are you using???
 

Quad IV's are the goods. Mid-range acceleration is great and the motors are not working nearly as hard. And jaybird, there is nothing wrong with fat girls . . . especially when they are fast!!! And I like the idea that you are running in the 80's- gives me something to think about.

Re: 311 Props- What are you using???
 

"SW", glad to hear those Quad IV's worked out. I know one of the biggest differences was how easily Outlaw just jumps up on plane. Twice as fast, and easy, as compared to my old Mirages. Next year when I can repower, I will stick with the Quad IV's, just go up, hopefully, in pitch......Russ

Re: 311 Props- What are you using???
 

I'm running 454/420's in my boat.

Re: 311 Props- What are you using???
 

Quad IV's, how much $?

Re: 311 Props- What are you using???
 

Hey Cuda, automotive air filters in there?

Re: 311 Props- What are you using???
 

CMG, new they are about $600 each. Used $400-$600 a set. If you are looking I can pm you an address for a guy that has a pair for sale. And, not to steal Cuda's reply, but those are K&N's Flame Arrestor set-ups. I have the same set up on mine and I think they work great.

Re: 311 Props- What are you using???
 

thanks fore the news, please send the PM. I think Iv'e worn out the wife's patience for this years upgrades, might have to wait for next season. K&N's - Just wanted to be sure the MP's didn't give Cuda a ration of bs without marine flame arrestors.

Re: 311 Props- What are you using???
 

"Worn out the Wife's Patience", boy do I ever know THAT feeling.

Re: 311 Props- What are you using???
 

Soon to be these ...... :D

Re: 311 Props- What are you using???
 

Owned an 89 272 with twin 420/454s with 1.5 ratio bravo drives, spun 25 mirages to 5000 and ran right at 70, came out of the water fine and good all around performance, everything I've read seems to say that older Formula's worked better with the 3 blade props,,,but what do I know,,,educated guess with my previous experience would be that due to the extra weight of the 311 over my previous 272 would be probably 23 mirage props(with possible slight tweaking)
Just my two cents worth.

Re: 311 Props- What are you using???
 

offthefront- What pitch are those? I just bolted the 24's on and I think they work great with my power. The midrange goes off compared to what I had- my seat of the pants impression is that the boat rides a lot higher in the water with the 4 blades than the 3's. Slick02, I had 25 mirage pluses on my boat and was not happy with the performance- felt like the boat was really dragging in the water unless I trimmed the chit out of it.

Re: 311 Props- What are you using???
 

Weasel ,.. they are 23's ... Outlaw runs 24's "Throttle Up" calculated a 21/22 !!! but these came alnog and I am gona give em a try and see what happens ....

Re: 311 Props- What are you using???
 

Thats why I suggested the 23s,,your boats longer/heavier than my old 272 was.. And unless you got a bunch of power the 25s would be hard to pull coming out of the water...But like every thing else,time/technology changes(even if us old dogs don't.). My old 272 liked alot of trim, whereas my newer 292 fastech doesn't like much trim at all..

Re: 311 Props- What are you using???
 

Mike, work on the "shine" on those props, will ya?????? LOL

I disagree completely about running 21's on our 311's. If I was running 21's I'd be blowing my motors up way over the redline.


"SW", yes your boat will be riding higher out of the water, those Quad's are lifting the stern out farther and giving you a better ride attitutde all around. Why they work so good. I'm glad it worked out for you. Russ

Re: 311 Props- What are you using???
 

I cant wait ....:) maybe ole Reggie will be worried ?

Re: 311 Props- What are you using???
 

If Reggie built as quality a boat as Formula, you'd see a whole lot more mid/late 80's Fountains still around. When was the last time you saw an 88' Fountain?

He's way too hung up on "being the fastest". Have heard alot about "after the sale" issues regarding problems.

I'm never going to be the fastest, I don't want to be the fastest, I just want a good solid boat under me, and that's what I have in my 89' Formula. It still doesn't rattle.

Re: 311 Props- What are you using???
 

I just ran my 336 today with a set of 23 hydromotives. Hole shot great, midrange seemed better but could only spin them to 4400-4450 rpm at 61-62mph or so with half a tank of gas and 1' chop. My boat is heavier than a 311 but the overall length is about the same. I need to pick up 500 to 600 rpm to make these props work which probably puts me in the 21 hydro or 22 hydro lab finished. Any thoughts?

Re: 311 Props- What are you using???
 

Powerguy, I'm surprised you lost that amount of rpms. What does your boat weigh? I thought our boats were basically the same except on yours the silent thunder box is glassed in while ours are bolted on. To get 500 rpms I'd say you'd have to drop to a 21 inch pitch.

What were you running before? Russ

Re: 311 Props- What are you using???
 

A friend of mine recently bought a 336, which I thought was a 311 with a built on platform. Well, sort of. They put a taller deck on it than a 311, and a few other changes that equates to almost 1000 lbs extra weight in a 336! The hull overall is the same design though. So the weight distribution and overall weight of a 336 is different than the 311 design. Actually his boat came with a set of 24 bravos (I know those are different than the hydros), and he tried my 25 mirages and the boat ran much better.

I think you can send your 23P Hydro's to the factory, have the pitch reduced to a 22P, and possibly have them labbed. That probably would give you the RPM's you need. Give them a call, they are very good at making recommendations. If they are new I would return them and just start with a 21 or 22P depending on what they said. They have a good policy about swapping props if they aren't right.

Re: 311 Props- What are you using???
 

Mine is a 88' 311 with 98 ZZ502's, freshened up this year with a pair of Crane #168741 cams, TRS drives. With labbed 25 Mirage Plus's spinning in Ill see 77mph on my gaffrig GPS speedo, at 5400rpm. @3800rpm I can cruise at 54/55mph depending on trim and water. With a super light load I saw 78mph last year, but that was with the ZZ cams. I tried stock 27 plus's, spinning in, but wasnt happy, cruising speed only picked up by a mph or so, WOT was 5100/5200 rpm @76.5 mph. The 27's feel real heavy,I like the labbed 25's the best, they plane super strong and cruise good, with good top end.
Quick question. All you guys running Hydro's, are you spinning them in or out? Might try a set next year.

Re: 311 Props- What are you using???
 

Just swapped for a set of 22 hydromotives. I'll try those and if they are close get them lab finished to the right rpm. I could spin 22 bravo 1's to 5000 rpm so I'm guessing that the 22 hydromotives will be in the 4700-4800 range before the lab finish and 5000 after.

Re: 311 Props- What are you using???
 

Put new 23 Hydro's on this afternoon ...went out late just before dark and ran about 30 minutes...They are different ..not sure if they are better ....did 50@ 33-3400 ..I dont think I'll get 5000 rpm ..and might loose a cpl of mph ..will run some more this week and post results ..

Re: 311 Props- What are you using???
 

Offthefront - What did you notice for a difference?

Re: 311 Props- What are you using???
 

Mike, one thing I noticed, and did, was as I got up into the top rpm range, with the boat riding at a better attitude, I was able to trim the drives out further and still get "bite" than I could with the old Mirage 3 blades. That alone counted for almost 200 rpms. So when you "wind her up" try experimenting with the drives. Oops, forgot, you don't have a reference point because your indicators have not been working. Well, just trim them out until you lose bite and see what happens.

Is your silent thunder box modified at all or is is still stock? I don't think that would have a direct impact on "prop vs. prop", it was just actually just a question.

We have pretty much the same boat, don't know why you would lose rpms and I gained. That doesn't make sense. Especially since I'm spinning 24's. You with your 23's would be even easier (a tiny bit I admit) to spin up. Keep me posted, I'm real interested in how this works out. Worst case scenario you could get them labbed if finances allow. This would pick up some rpms.

You should have certainly noticed the difference in getting up on plane and midrange performance. Russ

Re: 311 Props- What are you using???
 

i've got 17" 29 4 blade props, spinica types not sure who by, takes 40 seconds 5000 rpm to get out the hole. 70mph

I would much rather have ones with more low down grunt what do you suggest?

502 w/8.71 blowers ssmV drives

Re: 311 Props- What are you using???
 

Sounds to me like the boat has been rigged all wrong. If it's taking that long to get on plane I'd suspect the drives are set way to high. My boat (89' 311 SR-1, and when it's in the water) is on plane in about four seconds and that's taking it easy on it.

With what I've read on your other threads, with the power you have you should easily be in the mid/high 80's if properly rigged.