1988 Formula 206 Prop Selection
 

Hi All,
I bought a 1988 Formula 206 in October and the boat came with a pretty dinged up 14 1/4, 21p SS Cleaver. The engine drive package is a limited production Merc Racing 350 EFI, 320HP, with a Bravo One drive. All original. I will be repairing the cleaver as a space, but want to know where I should start with a modern prop. Mirage 21? Has anyone out there done any comparisons? I will be putting it in the water over the next few weeks for the first time. :D THANKS!

Re: 1988 Formula 206 Prop Selection
 

Are you sure it's a Bravo? If it is, I doubt it's original. The 320 Efi's were usually mated to an Alpha.

Re: 1988 Formula 206 Prop Selection
 

If you are running in salt water, watch that engine. The aluminum intake may corode, and this is what you end up with. :(

Re: 1988 Formula 206 Prop Selection
 

Yes, sure it is a Bravo and it is factory original as I have the documentation. From what I understand, there were about 20 of these made as a joint venture with Formula and Mercury Racing. I heard Merc also did a few Donzi 22s and 22 Panchangas and Scarab 22s as other test models. They added most options to this boat. Ideas on prop selection?

Re: 1988 Formula 206 Prop Selection
 

21 Mirage + would be my guess.

Re: 1988 Formula 206 Prop Selection
 

They put them in 20 foot Donzi Minx's too. I have one. I think there were quite a few more than 20 made, maybe 20 with the Bravo. There is a guy on here that has been trying to get two of those to run for over four years now. I think he just recently gave up and repowered. I sent him all the stuff off my engine.

Re: 1988 Formula 206 Prop Selection
 

Thanks Cuda, appreciate your insights! I know there are some issues with this motor especially the EFI and part availability. Not many out there that have the experience to work on this set up. I found Jim at TZ Marine in Stony Point, NY who is excellent and got me straightened out over the winter. Will let you know how things work out when I get it in the water over the next week or so..

Re: 1988 Formula 206 Prop Selection
 

Sounds like a cool package. The 320 EFI was a pretty expensive upgrade over a 260. I've got a buddy with a pair of 320's in a 24' Donzi Spitfire. He's been running them for years and has them figured out pretty well.

I've never heard of a 320 mated to a Bravo. I'd guess that it was very early 1988.

Kurt

Re: 1988 Formula 206 Prop Selection
 

I have an '88 F-206 LS myself. Still has the original 270HP 350 MAG and an Alpha drive.
I was running a 21" Mirage (not a Mirage Plus). When loaded with 4-5 adults it had a jard time getting on plane. I'll bet your 320HP could handle the load easily.
I switched to a 21" Laser II which has smaller blades, smaller diameter, and more rake. It made a difference on mine. For my setup Formula recommended a switch to a 19" Laser II. I stayed with the 21" just to see what the difference in prop style would do.

I would try the 21" first and see where the RPM's are at WOT. Then adjust from there.

Re: 1988 Formula 206 Prop Selection
 

Thanks All...

Iggy, What speed are you running at WOT with the 350Mag/Mirage 21? What RPM?

According to the original documentation, there were 3 packages available in 1988:

Merc 350 Magnum Alpha - 58MPH
Merc 320 EFI - 63MPH
Volvo 205 DuoProp - 48MPH