So, I refreshed my 26 Outlaw 496 HO and installed Whipple and DriveGuardian coupler. Won’t go into details in this post. The right prop is the topic here. I made several runs, after break-in, with a stock 28P and 26P Bravo I props. What is odd to me is both props run very similar. At WOT, the 28P is 5200 RPM and the 26 might be 5250. I cannot seem to over trim either prop, although the 26 does seem it start to get the bow a little lighter. I cannot get either prop to cause the bow to start porpoising or to see a noticeable drop in speed or rise in RPM beyond 5200. Both run 73.5 +/- .5. Rev limiters from Whipple set at 5450. Essentially, with either prop, you can just put the throttle on the stop, and trim full up, and it will stabilize at 5200 and 73.5. You can’t over trim, and you can’t hit the rev limit. Clearly, I believe, I need more bow lift and about 200-250 RPM, but it just strikes me as very odd. Intent is to have one of the prop labbed and tweeted to improve the two issues of RPM and lift, but I’m at a loss as to which prop to work. I’m baffled as to the similar performance of the two different pitch props. I’m throwing it out here to see if there are some simple answers.

I would contact Brett @ Bblades or FJ Propeller in Ft Lauderdale and tell them your situation. I don't have much experience with 26 OL's since I only owned 2 of them for a summer apiece, but I do know they like a smaller prop than the 25 OL. Sounds like you need the "Baja Cup" in the prop, which is where they add more cup in the blades to carry the bow more. If you call FJ then ask for Mike Eggleston to do your prop work. He's labbed and reworked my Hydromotives, Herings and Maximus props. Probably the best work I've had done on any. Brett does very good work as well and also is familiar with the Baja setups.

Stock out the box props have a lot of variance. The 28 could easily be closer to a 26.5 in actual measurement.

BBlades has their winter special until Feb 28th.

That's a lot of slip on the 28"...about 21% so it isn't hooking up well...and around 15% on the 26"...which is better but still not ideal. Suggests to me that once hooked up, your RPM will be a bit lower but top speed higher. Do you have any idea how much power you are making?

700hp

What did it run with the stock 496HO??

With 700hp, you should be into the 80's and you should be banging the rev limiter with the 26 and 28's.

About 63 MPH consistently. I’ve heard 80 will be tough without other outdrive mods, but am looking for high 70’s. Trying to be realistic.

Based on a 275 hp gain you should see close to a 20 mph + - gain.