What props are people running on a 29 with the 525 in it? What speeds and RPM are people seeing?

I have a 27 w/ 500efi running a 25 Hydro and gps between 72-74 at 5350 rpm. I will be trying a 26 Hydro this weekend and will let you know how that goes.

for your 29 I would start with a 25 Hydro.

WILL

I have a 2004 29 with a 525 hp built in October 03. It came with a 26p 4 blade. It ran 80 at 5400 drive at 4.5 tabs at 2.

Another 29 I know of came with a 28 4 blade. It ran 80 at 5300 drive at 5.

A good friend of mine bought a 29 with a 525 hp that was tested with a 29 3 blade (of all things) but was shipped with a 28 4 blade. The boat test sheet claimed 79 with the 29p 3 blade. We don't know yet what it will run with the 4 blade 28p. That boat was built last June.

I was told by a Fountain dealer that the change to a 26p 4 blade was done to get the boat to plane faster and provide better overall performance. I was also told by a super charger mfg. that the X axis and hull shape conspire to keep the nose down and that the boat would benifit from a 5 blade. A lot of money to try that out though...

Hope this helps... What are you running????

I spoke with some people at fountain and they have not had any luck with 5 blade props with stepped bottoms. That is totally contrary to what mercury claims. I have a set coming to try on a 42 Ex and see what the difference is between 5 blades and four ...

- Vinnie
Mariner's Cove Racing

Yes I have an 04 29' HP 525 Fever as well.
It came with the 4 blade 26 pitch.
I see 80.

I have a 29' 1997 525SC with a 26 4 blade pitch and I see 77mph@5100 rpm .

just got a set of merc lab finished maximus 30 pitch props. 10 to 13 mph gain in midrange same top end as 30 bravos 84.2 gps at 5200. on a 35 lightning with 500efi mercs. super smooth, they will pay for themselves in gas savings.

I have a new 30' to try on my 29 with the Vortech kit but it isn't quite ready for prime time yet. Tomorrow?????????

We do a lot of prop work for our raceboats. We use Hydromotive props exclusively. Although I have no experience with a Fountain, I can offer some general observations:

- Going from 4 blades to 5 usually does not improve speed. The goal is to increase acceleration while maintaining the same top end.

- Hydromotive 5bladers are used extensively on raceboats, most of them stepped.

- Some boats like the "pointed ear" 5bladers, some like the "round ear" 5bladers, some like both. Experiment.

- The classic "pointed ear" Hydromotives induce stern lift. The new "round ear" Hydromotives induce bow lift (just like the Bravo style props.)

- When going from "pointed ear" to "round ear" on a boat that liked both, we improved acceleration by 3 seconds.

- A 5blader usually gives better control & "bite" over a 4blader.

- If you do consider labbed Hydromotives, you should work with http://www.Throttle-Up.com Ask for Julie or Matt. They love to work with you. A prop adjustment is included in their labbed price.

Peconic,
Great info. THanks for the advice....

Steve