Great real world testing. I appreciate you sharing your experience.
What was the fastest prop that you tested? Sound like the maximus is the best all around prop. Is the Hydro 5 blade as fast as a labbed Bravo? If I read your post correctly, 104 for a labbed Bravo, 100 for a labbed maximus. You were running some good speeds! Was your shorty from Imco? Thanks.

on this particular 38 the p5's were faster. and yes they were imcos. the merc's were the fastest, but by far the max was the best all around. then the p5 as it was fast as well , then lab 4bld as it was hard to plane with the shorties and had no cruise and wasnt as stable during high speed ocean runs. but it was fast, and it took alot of tweaking to make it just right for that hull, not just a general labing.

i have 4 blade hydro 29's on my boat labbed by throttle up, it has stelling boxes set at the highest setting and have trouble getting on plane in rough water, have to baby it to get up. I would look hard at the new cnc 4 blades that matt has now at throttle up, most 5 blade props are slower [top speed]than 4 blade props unless you have to much slip with the 4 blade

the 4 bld hydro is one of the least efficient props for planing and cruising on the market. it is only good for a paded or notched bottom for speed.
5 's are typicaly slower however their slipage is much better , thus giving you back your speed .
their is no substitution for trial.

all tests done , were back to back,and in triangle formation . as to go with , against, and across current and wind.

herring 5 &6, merc 4&5, hydro 4,5,&6, spinelli, done my herring, merc, throttle up, b blades, and my favorite long island propeller.

opinions are like a#$holes, everyone has one. i would borrow as many props as you can. use the info other boaters here have given. apply. then conclude for yourself. be thorough and document everything and you will find your BEST props.

good luck

Have you tried the new cnc props from Throttle Up on your Fountain, or know of anyone that has? How would they be different from the Bravos or Hydromotive 4-blades? Would like to talk to someone that has tried the cnc'ed props? Thanks.

there are a few racers that use the cnc throttle up props, each blade on a cnc prop is a mirror image of the other blade, unlike a normal prop. I have not tried them on my boat, i would like to. if you wont top speed and are not worried about mid range, or getting on plane the hydro 4 blade turning in on a fountain is hard to beat for the money

they do sound good, and they must be new pieces from hydro. i wouldnt mind hearing some input on em or heck even trying em out.