i picked up midrange speed with the 4 blades top end seemed close , handles better and comes out of the hole like a ski boat.

tnks for info. Right now I am not ready. When I am either I build this one up or trade up. When the motors get tired I'll have to cross that bridge. And I think it will be build this one to go.

I had similar experiences with the 3 blade and 4 blades. I started with the 4B Hydro and switched to the 3B Mirage. The Mirage was more difficult to keep on place at low speeds and was not as good out of the hole. I also could not tell any top end difference in speed. I then switched back to the 4B and noticed that it felt more stable at the top end and I regained the midrange power and better hole shot. I don't try to drag race this thing but it definitely planes much easier with the 4B.

Why didn't Fountain put 4 blade on from new? Is 1993 before 4 blade technology? I would think if 4 blade on my boat is better, Fountain would have released the boat with that set up. It sounds from above posts that 4 is the way to go for my non step.

thanks everyone for all the info...I am still new to this and still absorbing it all... from what I read I should be talking to my local prop shop on a pair of 28 hydros 4 blade spinning out, he is pushing the Mach 4 blade, but he has not seen the boat yet..........Now for the next phase the engine's, I found a shop in Pompano Beach Florida, Performance Marine, fellow name was Pat I saw his shop had lots of high performance off shore boats, he does not do any machining but he puts them together and does not let the boat go until he fine tunes and trial out on the water.....has any one heard of this fellow or can recommend a shop in Florida..
Thanks for all your support
Gord
ps: is anyone going to be in Marathon in the middle of may, I have a hobby shop at the airport in Marathon

forgetg, good luck, it sounds like you are on the right track.




4 blade VS 3 blade

I am sure that my boat (1989) left Fountain with the Mirage props because the technology on the 4 blade props had not progressed to the point where they we common place and/or affordable.

It also seems that the 4B Hydo is more popular than the Bravo 1 but Fountain has switched to the Bravo 1. Is it because it preforms better? I think not! I think it is because of the Fountain/Mercury relationship. The point is, just because the boat comes with a particular prop, that doesn't mean it is the best prop for the boat.

Mercruiser just got back to me, i have 1.5-1 TRS drives....this explains why the 1-1 transmision, now don't laugh i said i was new at this, i am a quick learner and when i jump in its all the way, Doe's any one have comments on the out drives..good.....bad.....ugly...
Thanks
Gord

in re to the what fountain puts on from factory it has got to do with $$ too if not they would come with labbed herrings,,

run em if u got em if they are in good shape.. it would be huge expense to buy xr's and all the cheese that u need to go with it. i believe that trs is kinda the predecessor for # drives..
i have not had trs's but i know people that have and seems the bravos blow up first?
put it together and run it,, have some fun and maybe downt the road u do some arnesons with 1000's

I'm running 28p 4-blade Hydro's on my 10-Meter (33') non-step, turning out. Spinning them with HP500's at 5000rpm and tops out right at 80mph. I've not tried Bravo's, but I can't see any reason to. Boat planes great, and accelleration from 50-80 is awesome. When the green flag drops, I walk from other boats getting up to speed. Your weight/length difference might require a different pitch, so maybe other 38' owners will chime in with what they're running.

I also run TRS drives, 1.5 to 1 gears, with Borg Warner 71C trannies beefed up by Huber. The drives have held up, even under racing conditions. Just got them back from the drive shop, for paint and seal checking, and they tell me they stilll look good inside, no need to refresh gear sets. They're solid drives, and with shifting being done by the tranny, that's one less set of shifting mechanisms in the drive to fail. I'd keep 'em, if I were you. They're heavy and eat up more power than a Bravo drive setup, but strong nevertheless.

Good luck,
Brian