Magicfloat

Definately get the steering.

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I have it on the boats under construction now, but the factory didn't offer it as an option (now I realize that you have to get them to install it as a "silent" option, and will do so from now on).

I just got back from running the boat with just me on board, still full fuel tanks: 76.0 and 74.2 on the GPS for a two-way average of 75.1 mph.

Not bad! When the motors loosen up a bit and the fuel burns off we should see a little bit more. I've got to get some of that slippery "Bama waterthat Robert has!

Tom
Total Marine

Rippem

I've gotta get some lab 28's for mine. It wouldn't pull the stock 28's it came with so I've been running stock 26's with excellent lower speed results.

Definitely giving away some top-end though.

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I don't know what Robert's thoughts are on this subject, but all in all I've almost ALWAYS had better results with Hydromotive props than Mercs, whether it was on my F-2 boat or on customers' boats.

Any opinions?????

Tom
Total Marine

Rippem

Tom, I've heard this in regards to the 353 specifically, but don't know where to start.

I'm somewhat familiar with the Hydomotive prop having run them on my Velocity's.

Care to share some of the positives of the Hydro vs. Bravo on the late model Formulas? How do the advertised pitches compare?

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It seems that Mercury generally overstates the pitch of the prop, whereas Hydromotive gives a truer pitch. I've had 32" Merc lab props that actually scan out to about 29.5" to 30", and they will give the same general RPM and speed as 29" Hydromotives. The "labbing" process usually takes away some blade surface area, and this leads to having to step up a size compared to the Hydromotives.

I also thought that the Hydromotives carried the bow better (at least on my F-2 382 race boat). I have re-propped some 353 pleasure boats with better results using the Hydromotives as well. These were "worked" Hydromotives, in all fairness, but I just really liked the way they performed.

Just wondering if other people are getting the same reults?

Tom
Total Marine

Rippem

well, having been a Velocty guy for 9 years...there's nothing that would unnerve me about a more bow-carrying, "looser" Formula.

The very flat running attitude of the bottom with wetted keel that far forward is kinda strange to me.

so on my H.O. boat...maybe try a set of 25" Hydros to start?

are the FasTechs more sensative to trim, have a wider or narrower trim window, with the Hydros?

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25" sounds like they might be a tad too small. I would probably start with 27" Hydromotives, and then twist them down if you need to get some RPM. It is always better to twist a prop down than up. If you've got a good prop shop, that would be the way to go, IMHO.

I'll try to get the number of the guys that did our props on the F-2 boat, they were AWESOME! I got hooked up with them from my buddy Jim Arvis and they were incredible at helping us get that last 1 or 2 MPH out of the boat.

You may also want to try changing the propeller rotation to "inward" as this (usually) results in more bow lift. The 353 is a great boat, but it does run a bit flat, so anything that will get you bow lift is a good idea. Try inward rotation as well and see what you think.

What are your thoughts on all of this, Magicfloat? You have more experience with the 353 than anybody.

Tom
Total Marine

Magicfloat

We changed rotation once on a 353,and noticed no difference in anything,very strange. Inward rotation makes a 312 a little crazy,but did not affect the 353. Would like to see how the new Maximas work on a 353/496 boat but hate to just buy a pair to try and see no improvement,they are kinda pricey, but they work well on 525/600 353's.