According to the prop experts who advertise here, the hydro is too much stern lift, and the 27 Fountians prefer a 3 blade prop due to this fact. It was recommended to me to use a 25p Mirage Plus for best top end. I am running a 23 QIV and have incredible holeshot and 70mph at 5,000rpm on stock 502 MAGMPI

In my experience, a Hyrdo provides the best performance on my boat. Hole shot is a bit slow but I'm not participating in a drag race. My boat comes on plane with no issues and once on top the Hydro is hands down the best prop for running. It will blow out on a hard, slow corner occasionally but I can deal with that. Bravo1 is probably the best all-around and everyone's taste and preference is unique.

If anyone needs one I have a 23P LH Hydro I would part with.

Stepped hull 27's and 29's up to about 2000, prior to when they changed them to the "new" style with the windshield/anchor locker/built in ladder, work very good with Hydro Q-IV props. Blowout can be minimized by having a diffuser ring added to the prop, if it really bothers you. As they increased the X dim, the Hydros' started to not work as good, until it got so high that there were problems just getting on plane with the Hydro Q-IV's. The Bravo 1 props solved that probem! Hydro started making a round ear prop to compete with the B1 props, too. Never really heard of anyone using a 3 blade on the mid/late 90's stepped hulls. My friend's 1991 came with a 3 blade, but after adding ~ 200 hp and a 1.36 drive, we found that a merc Rev 4 prop worked the best on his boat.