72ndPoolShark

This spring I purchased a 1991 Powerquest 230 Conquest with 454, 7.4L BravoOne. For the whole summer, I've used the aluminum 3 blade prop it came with. Last weekend, I had a full tank of fuel and 2 heavier passengers it struggled to get on plane. It hasn't been too much of a performer before that as well but this time it was too much. I plan on getting a SS 4 blade over the winter and am seeking some input on what would be best for this boat. Hopefully people who own or have owned this boat can chime in. I'm not concerned about top speed. I really only want to get on plane quicker (plane at slower speeds would be great) and improve fuel use if possible.

TxHawk

iTrader: (2)

Any idea what pitch the 3 blade is?

72ndPoolShark

No idea except I've heard aluminum props lose pitch over time which sounds right since the seller said they would get 55mph out of it and I'm not even up to 40.

Gary C

I'll take a stab at it. Try a 19 pitch bravo one.

72ndPoolShark

GaryC, why do you suggest 19p?

Dave M

I think 22P is the smallest bravos come in. I would try a Mirage+. The pitch of your current prop is probably stamped on it somewhere.

Knot 4 Me

^^^^^ Mirage Plus. Your drive is too deep for a 4 blade. I'd start with a 19" pitch. .

72ndPoolShark

Knot4Me, what do you mean by too deep for a 4 blade? I've heard of many putting 4 blade props on these boats with pleased results; especially with a 22p 4 blade. I'm new to all these prop specs so please bare with me.

Knot 4 Me

Older boats such as yours normally have the drive pretty deep. Meaning, the prop shaft is fairly low in relation to the bottom of the hull. Therefore these hulls normally like a 3 blade prop over a 4 blade prop in terms of overall performance and prop-slip numbers. If others are having success with your combo running a 22" Bravo I 4 blade, that would leave me to believe a 23" Mirage Plus would be the proper prop in a 3 blade. You can calculate your theoretical prop pitch if you have your drive ratio (1.50:1 I assume), max RPM (4,600 in your case), and your actual speed (in this case, enter 55 MPH since others claim your boat/engine combo gets this speed). There are many online calculators. Entering a prop slip of say 10 or 12% puts you right around a 21" prop. Since you were wanting better planing ability with a heavy load I suggested starting at a 19" though that may be too little prop at WOT. At the end of the day your boat will like what it likes so I would try both a Mirage Plus 3 blade and a 4 blade stainless prop. As for the 4 blade you might want to contact Brett at BBlades for his suggestion as the Bravo I 4 blade might not be the best prop for your combo. He may suggest a different 4 blade prop. Brett also has a prop testing program.

72ndPoolShark

Talked with Brad at BBlades (Brett was out). He did suggest 4 blade for this boat but wasn't willing to suggest pitch until I can tell him the pitch of the current prop and my drive ratio. Hopefully the manual will tell me ratio and I will have to wait until the boat is out of the water to figure out the pitch which will be on the 16th. Thanks for all the input or any more input you can provide.