I have a 1996 29 single 500hp, it currently has a 24p 4blade bravo 1 prop. i was thinkin of going to a 26hydro or bravo and was just wandering if anybody had any kind of a similar set up and real world results. looking to pick up a little on top but not sacrafice to much on the bottom

Most 29 Fountains with a single screw came with either a Bravo 26 or Hydro 26 pitch from the factory, I know mine did. I think you will be happy with a 26.

what kind of rpms can you turn

Actually the 1998-2000 29's came with 24 Hydro, 27 Fever with 500 came with 25 Hydro. I think if you put a 26 on there you will not be able to get your rpms up??

I would suggest a 24 Hydro or 25 and get it lab finished?

Remember a 24 Hydro and 24 Bravo are not equal, they are measured differently, Hydro is bigger, so a 24Hydro is closer in pitch to a 26Bravo. Also Fountain used Hydro on most all boat up until 2002 when Brunswick wanted their props to go on Fountains. A hydro will be faster, but it will blow out easier and harder to plan off.

just my 2 cents

My 2000 29 Fever with 500 EFI had a 24P LH Q-IV hydro from the factory. Test sheet speed was 74.1 mph. Drive was a 1.50:1 with low water pickups. X dim was 17.5" if I remember right (that was about 5 boats ago). I tried a 25P LH Q-IV hydro and it struggled to get on plane and topped out at about the same mph. In cooler weather, the 24P was against the rev limiter, occasionally. About perfect for summer time. You might be ok with a 26 B1, but the hydro's worked better on the earlier stepped Fountains, IMO. You get a little more slip in mid with the hydro, though. The Q-IV is more of a stern lifting prop, being a semi-cleaver blade prop whereas the B1 props are more of a bow lifting "round ear" prop. Later Fountains needed the B1 props because the X was raised to 19-19.5" and the hydro Q-IVs would blow out quickly. Our 1996 27 Fever with an HP500 turned a 27P LH Q-IV labbed by Hydro quite well up to 76 mph (on gps) ... until the chine walk made you let out of it!

26 Hydro will be way too much prop for your boat if it is a stock HP500. They hydro is a larger diameter prop (15.5") and their pitch is average pitch, whereas the B1 is smaller diameter (14.5 or 15 - don't remember exactly) and their pitch is max, not average. Usually you can run 1"-2" larger B1 prop than hydro and still turn same rpm, if I remember correctly.

"26 Hydro will be way too much prop for your boat if it is a stock HP500. They hydro is a larger diameter prop (15.5") and their pitch is average pitch, whereas the B1 is smaller diameter (14.5 or 15 - don't remember exactly) and their pitch is max, not average. Usually you can run 1"-2" larger B1 prop than hydro and still turn same rpm, if I remember correctly."



Totally agree!! Im running about 5100 rpm.

sounds like the 24p or 25p Q-IV may be worth a shot thanks for the info. is there anywhere that has a loaner program for hydromotive props like b-blades has for the B1,s, or know anybody that has a used RH for sale