38 fountain SC props
 

Anybody running 496's in a 38 SC. Thinking 24 4 bladers versus 26 4 bladers. Thanks,

props
 

Running 19p rev 4 props with 1:32 drives and new 502s, Wish they made bravos props size 20 have 22s too big. Mark told me you bought a sc38. JIM

Yes a 1992 38 sc. I have 23 3 bladers now and at 4900rpm I'm at half throttle and maybe 52 mph.
Got to get into the 60's. I'm hearing 24 4 bladers should do..

I have a 91 38sc with 502's. I have gone through several sets of 3 blades while dialing it in over the past few years. Cant remember what pitch we finally ended up keep on her. I will look through my receipts and post again. I crossed the lake Friday and she was running 62-65 at 4900-5000. Sucking a crapload of gas

Jim, Really, 19's. is that because of the 1:32 drives? I'm pretty sure I have 1:5 bravos with these 23 3 bladers. Everyone says 24or26 4bladers should fit right. Send your number I'll give you a call. Ed. 516-607-3972

I have a 1997 [twin-step]38 SC with 496 Mag HO's with 2 sets of lab finished hydromotive quad 4 intimidators. Props are sent back to hydromotive for service. My best set is the 26 pitch since the 24s put me on the rev limiter. Props are customized to be 25.5 inches pitch which hits 4900 to 5000 RPMs and 68-69 MPH normally. 25-26 pitch hydros are my personal recommendation for this set up
.

Thanks for the info and reply. What would you say would be a good 3500 cruise speed and how easy does it get up on plane? Thanks again. Ed

Getting on plane with labbed 26's is not really fast but not any problem and 3500 gets mid 40's. 3300 RPMs hits aprox.44 MPH. My 1997 has the stepped hull so it's a little easier to push than a 1992 and also best with 4 blades. Mirage plus were not good for me. Not sure of the traditional hull design and props? You may try some out and see. I tied up to an older SC once and the stern of my stepped hull is much lower and the bow is much higher up so there must be a significant difference with selecting props.

Thanks Pat, the search goes on. I missed the step portion earlier and it must make a difference. Then again, I'm currently running 23- 3 bladers and topping out at 56. 5000rpm Ed

Sorry Ed long time off offshore only, sounds like 24 bravos are the way to go . I think they are the best out there wish they made 20.pitch. Bought a 502 from merc rebuilt and one new from 1800 runs new and the 1800 runs new has less power. Going 58 but the 1800 motor not pulling and is 200 rpm less than the Merc. Wonder if any one pulled a cam from their motor I think its a wimpy cam! Want to go 62 mph that's what Reggie says the boat will do with 502s. JIM 631-896-1707

Hey Jim, looks like I'm going follow Pat's advice with the 25.5 quads. He's getting 68-69 mph we should get low 60's at least with our hulls. Thanks take, still in the high 80's down here....Ed

Call Fountain and they will tell you what is best for your boat. Stick with original props and you will know you have what is best. 4 blades may make your boat slower without the steps and Hydro quad 4s are for boats that need stern lift which I suspect is not your case. Don't try to guess at this. Trust Fountain did the homework and somewhere they have records at the factory.

Thanks for advice... Will do....

Pat, Do you think they have data on 2004 496's on a 1992 hull????

The 1992 boat did not come in that combination but the 502s should give you a starting point. The older 502s were 390 prop HP vs the newer 496s 425 HP so you could add an inch or 2 pitch? Better yet check the newer 502s with 415 HP with no hull steps so either a 1993 or 1994 SC and these are the right props,. My boat originally had these 502s and ran about the same as the 496s.

Wow just replaced water hoses in my bravo 1 drives wasn't much fun but boat was running hot last year. Hose ends were collapsed pump couldn't suck water. You need tool for rings on end of hoses to do this JIM

I think mine were done with the engine swap in 2005. Im looking at the stainless water pumps to keep the water pumping. We have a big problem with too much sand everywhere...Ed

Well 1800 motor running good now had bad ignition module making a high speed miss, put 22p bravo 1 props on and will make a high speed pass soon!

Let me know how she goes....