Does it make sense to loose 3-4 mph top speed after boarding 2 passengers?

Yeah! Thats like hauling 50 extra gallons of fuel.

Yes, about 1 mph for every 100 lbs added.

Speed is all about weight.

This boat responds to the slightest amount of weight change.

Now I'm less worried! Actually, I already guessed that the boat is sensible to weight 'cause it was noticeably harder to get on to plane with a couple of friends onboard, but I didn't think it would have been so relevant at WOT.

Btw, I have a stock 496HO spinning a 26" Bravo 4 blades, and I get 68/69 mph out of it with very light load.
By reading around of other experiences, I assume that's about right.
Otoh, holeshot is awful even when the boat is unloaded, and even with flaps all down and leg all in.
Is there any trick which might improve that?
According to what I read, the Maximus 5 blades prop with the performance vent system should improve that, at least on paper.
But since it's also pretty expensive and unfortunately I don't have the opportunity to test it, I'd be very interested to hear about any hands-on experience.
Is that really better on acceleration?
Does it improve also (or at least not loose) top speed?
What pitch should be used?
Anything else worth considering?

Thanks in advance!

Mine had a 454 Mag MPI and ran 67 with 1/2 tank and 1 person. Back then they used Mach 4 blades spinning left. 24 pitch I think. Same issues getting on plane. The boats are set up with an agressive X and with 5 people and full fuel everyone had to stand at the dash to get it on plane..

I'm sure a 5 blade would help some.

I have a few threads on this already. The 5 blade Maximus is a very impressive prop. You can buy one from BBlades and have him lab it or buy your own and send it to him. It will make a tremendous difference especially for cruz speed.

Fair amount of money for that prop but just compare yourself to the #6 boat owners and you'll feel like you're getting a discount.

seriously though, it would be a decent investment. Probably have to send it back and forth a couple/few times but well worth the efforts. They'll rent you one for one week at 30 bucks. Write down your numbers and send in. You'll be surprised. You may also see a couple mph on top end as well.

LOL, yeah, I guess that also with respect to fuel consumption I should feel lucky, considering what sort of blocks are normally spinning #6 drives/props!

Thanks for the suggestions on the prop, but I'm afraid it would be tricky to send it back and forth from the US to this side of the Atlantic. Aside from shipment costs, Customs would also take their toll on each delivery...
I guess the best thing is to give BBlades as accurate figures as possible on the existing rigging, and then get the best prop they would recommend according to their experience. Hopefully, they will get it right the first time!

Re. this PVS trick, do you know if it is really as effective for holeshot acceleration as Mercury says?

I have a 2000, 27, fever with a 502 mag mpi, 1.5 b1 spinning a 24 lh bravo1 that bblades labbed for me and I can run 71mph on gps at 5150rpm's with 1/2 tank of fuel and 2 on the boat. The boat came with a 23 hydro running 67 gps same conditions. I talked to bblades and he told me to let him lab a 24 bravo 1 and it would get me out of the hole better,, cruz better,, and at wot I would be 70-71 mph. He was dead on the money !!!
original specs
4950 rpm, 67 mph
23 lh hydro 4 blade

bblades prop
5150 rpm, 71 mph
lab bravo 1, 24 pitch lh