I think I’m going to send these out to be labbed

Got to run the boat again this morning with no wind and light current. Made it to 68 trimmed out but still just shy of 5k rpms.
should I go down to 26p FS ?

No. You would be better off to have your props labbed by BBlades

I’ve been trying to get a hold of them for a week now.

not easy to get hold of them this time of year. use the contact form and wait or run your current props until the off season special they offer?

https://bblades.com/contact-us/

I have been down the exact same path as you. everyone with a 292 says they are easily 70mph boats...my experience is totally different.

I bought my boat as a Formula demo boat with 20 hours on it. It is a 2014 model with 6.2 mags. Has 1.65 drives, and sea core.

I have a set of brand new 26 B1s, 28p B1s, and labbed 28p B1s that BBlades did for me. The boat came with labbed props, but has Brett redo them. They even have vent holes drilled in them to help get on plane....which by the way does not really help.

I run mostly on Lake Cumberland, so it is pretty big water. A long lake that gives you miles to run. So...with all the props to choose from, what do I run?.... 26p for the last 3 years. Stock 28p are impossible to get on plane with any load and a heat soaked engine compartment.....not really impossible, but embarrassingly slow. Labbed 28p are awesome once you get on plane, pull hard in midrange, and let the engines scream right to 5200....they are great.....just really hard to get out of the hole. Have 4 people in the boat and they are a bad choice due to hole shot.

i never boat alone, and rarely have 1/2 tank of fuel, but always a cooler and stuff for day trips. Intentionally run the boat on the light side as I keep it on a trailer and can fill up before launching.

in the end, if your goal is only top speed...get the 28s labbed...but beware, it will be even harder to get on plane than the stock 28p. Also...if you boat in hot weather, when you shut down, the engine compartment gets hot an robs power until you get running and cool it down.

Just got back from the lake, and with the Bimini up, 4 people and various stuff in the boat with 1/2 tank of fuel(60gal), I could hold 50 at half throttle...and over 60 at WOT with ease.

I can say that I have never seen 70 in my boat with any prop combo. Yes, I know how to drive, and have tried....but gave up. Maybe my ECT engines don’t make the power....but I am pretty sure people reporting over 70 are not using GPS....or they have 5 gal of gas in salt water, with the wind, 1’ chop with the current and only the driver in the boat.

Do Boats Go Faster In Saltwater Or Freshwater? All other factors being equal (boat type, water temperature, weather, weight) boats will travel 1-2% faster in freshwater environments. This is because the density of freshwater means less resistance in the water.

Thanks for the right up. Great info! What’s your cruise speed with the 26p ?

I usually cruise around 3700-4000 rpm, at around 40mph. Drop below 40mph and you will add enough drag that you will begin to come off plane. Cruises at that speed with great fuel economy.

I have a long series of posts on the topic of props and cooling if you want to search for them. Went and looked at them, and now remember that with a light load, and good chop, I could only get 69mph with the labbed 28p B1s. Tabs neutral to a little up, 1’ chop, and trimmed to get beat speed. Unlike my last boat, 260 PQ, the stepped hull really likes neutral trim. No use in adding a lot, it just takes speed away.

Less drag going through the fresh water but since salt water is more dense, the boat sits higher and rides on top more.
Temp, humidity and elevation are more important factors.