Props for 1997 35 Lightning
 

Just bought a 1997 35 Lighting with 500's. IT came with "MACH 1 28 Pitch props". I am told that depending on the diameter this might have been a stock prop at the time. I am not making the RPM (only around 4400 to 4500). Any suggestions? I am thinking 26, Hydromotives or Bravo 1's.

With the 28's I am only in teh mid 70's.

thanks. Dan

Re: Props for 1997 35 Lightning
 

i have a set of labbed down 30 bravo 1's i ran on my 92 with 525- 550 hp motrs would prob be perfect for your step bottom boat. these props would turn 5150-5200 on my 35 so i think with your steps and 500's would be 4900-5k and run right around 80..
let me know if interested

Re: Props for 1997 35 Lightning
 

26 Hydromotives were the norm on 35 classics. Mine ran around 81 with them.

Re: Props for 1997 35 Lightning
 

yes that is what i ran too before i got the bravos. when motors were 450 hp ish

Re: Props for 1997 35 Lightning
 

i have a 2000 35 classic with twin 500hp with 27 labed hydromotives that run 5200-5350rpm at 84mph! call me if interested. 516 432 8223

Re: Props for 1997 35 Lightning
 

I have a 1997 35 with 525SC's, The boat left the factory with 27 Mach's. The test sheet say's 85 at 5250. The boat now has ext boxes and 28 Bravo's It runs great. I have tryed 29 hydro's and 30 Bravo's . I can run the same speed with all of them but at a lower rpm. I think If I used the 30 bravo's and had the diameter cut down I could get the rpm back and gain speed. But for the cost the 28's work just fine. I did not like the 29 Hydro at all.

Re: Props for 1997 35 Lightning
 

Thanks fo the feed back. I have since spoken to Fountain who says that the 97 in fact came with the Mach 1 props at 28 pitch. This means I am missing RPM. Teh question is why? Should I be looking for a power loss in teh engines or is it that I did not have the optimal trim setting which according to the dealer and Fountain should be around 5.5 on the guage.

Re: Props for 1997 35 Lightning
 

I would stay below 5 on the trim. Above 5 the gimbal offers little support. How many hours on the boat?... did you do a compression check on it? Your RPMs are way low. I know it sounds stupid but... is the hull clean? what are each of the RPMs on the motors... same , different?

Re: Props for 1997 35 Lightning
 

Your optimal trim setting is between 4.5 and 5 for long gimbal life. Crank the tabs up and see what you get.... need more info from you in above post.

Re: Props for 1997 35 Lightning
 

What Masher said.
Hours on the motors?