Just wondering if anyone has run a newer style 35 Lightning, twin step bottom, with the Merc Short Sportmasters??? What did you gain/lose with them vs the regular Bravo XR lowers??? What did you run for props on the Sportmasters??? Trying to improve mine and wonder if these might help, Thanks in advance.

Bump.

Can't believe that someone has not tried this on a 35. Somebody?????? Anybody??????

I'll take a guess. Your X-Dim is already pretty agressive on your boat with the side-by-side motors. Going even shorter or higher will probably not help and may actually cause problems.

They use shorties on the new staggered 35's because of the lower drive height with that config.

Probably look at 5 or 6 blades if you want more efficiency.

hmmmmmmmm,,,,,,,,,

Well I have talked to Brian at Fountain about this, and he said they did a few this way towards the end of the '06 model. Told me that short sportmasters and 5 or 6 blades worked ok, and are faster. What I'm looking for is some feed back on the overall, everyday deal with this set up. And yes the X is up there already. The boat works fine the way it is, just might be better with some changes.

Monstaaa, I've tried you a few times, was busy. I'll try again.

I considered it on mine (2006) but with 496's the drag from the larger skeg would probably negate any value add due to the HP i'm pushing.

I'm pretty sure with your setup (525's) Fountain has got the setup dead on with the side by side config. Some minor tweaks in props could be your best $$/MPH bet. After-all, they went to the staggered setup in 2007 in order to wring out the last bit of top end performance on that hull. Any setup changes will probably create some driveability issues at some point.

If you really want more speed, you need to add HP.

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