I am thinking of trying -2" shorties on my 2000 42' Lightning with stock 500 EFIs and two large steps. Anyone running anything similar? How does it work? What props work best?

Anybody?

I want to know the same thing!!

I think allot depends on what your x dimension or prop shaft height is , mine is set up quite high the prop shaft is about 3/4 above the bottom of the the with -2 sportmasters .

So how does that work? Hard to get on plane? What props are you using?

just hold the throttles at about 2500 and let it do its thing, no it does not jump on plane but its ok , its better with maximus props than the herring 5 blade . this is the way the boat was set up by fountain in late 08 .

OMG I think my prop shaft is 3 3/4" below the bottom surface of boat. Shorties with a 5 blade would have to help.

Have shorties on 06X with 525's. A little tough to get on plane but once moving it's ok. Boat has a little to much stern lift in smooth water with shorties. With that stern lift I get a bit too much prop slip even with 6 Blade Herring's while cruising in smooth water. When the boat hits some SNOTTY water and gets some bow lift the boat runs GREAT. Prop slip gets cut in half when on plane in chop. Chop meaning 1 -3 footers, or a normal weekend on Lake St. Clair.

I have a 1999 42 lightning with 525 efi and bravo xr with imco shorties. I have so far run bravo 30 4 blades and 32 4 blade lab finish and run at 5400 rpm at 78 on gps. I feel there is alot of slip with this set up would like to try 5 blades but not sure which prop size and will I gain anything but more stress on the drives. One positive about the imco shorties they put out a nice rooster tail in the midrange speed. I have not had the boat in much over 1 foot so far. I feel 2 to 3 will make the boat come alive. Shogren stated that expect issues with 5 blades on the drives with a 42 which I can concur.

Ken

I'm running 29 P5X hydros on stock B1 drives , mines a 98 big step 42, no drive issues so far, excellent cruising speed, 50mph @ 3000, tops out at 86 @5400 (540's 600hp) I feel the -2 lower would likely be a waste of $$ from my past experience on my 35, you will loose some ability to carry to bow, and more blow out in rough water my .02