hi, i just bought a 2000 35 lightening with 500hp's my top speed is 79 on the gps and am spinning 26's. i have heard that moving up to 28's labbed is a good idea. anyone have any more info on this? anyone have any gps verified speeds with 28's?

i have a pair of 27 hydros for sale if you are interested.

Try the hydros, they are transom-lifting, and you do not need bow-lifting props on a stepped-hull fountain. (I am assuming you are running 26 B1's)
I ran 28's with my HP500's (also with Stellings boxes) and it ran 83+ all day. Carder

My 01 lightning came with the stock 30p b1's. I think that is what came on the boat. I run right at 80. I guess the efi's make a little difference but I wouldn't think 4" of prop difference. Isn't the 2000 the same hull? I am actually thinking of trying some labbed 32's. I am getting some high slip numbers at wot (16-18%) depending on load and conditions. I wondered too how the hydros would run and the appropriate pitch. I have read the B1's slightly overstate their pitch.

I also got high slip numbers with the 4 blade hydros and B1s. The 5 blades took care of the slip problem.

according to the run sheet from the boat being new it ran the 30" b1's to 86 and now I am barely getting 80. The RPM's aren't dopping, just the slip increasing. If I go to a 5 blade my mid range might be better but with the lower pitch required, won't my top speed suffer from the original numbers. Lets face it, these boats like speed and so do their owners. If you didn't like speed none of us would have a fountain, I sure didn't buy mine for the cabin space! I was just hoping to see what everybody else was running for props with 500efi's. Just looking for a place to start because I either need new B1's or even a change of brand to get where I'm going. I'm really thinking Labbed B1 32's might be in my future. I just don't know if it will help or if I can turn them?

Since you are turning 30's, not 28's, you would want to start at 29p 5 blades, or a different blade design 4 blade...ie a hydro quad IV or quad IV plus. Carder