Steve Zuckerman

We have discussed Heat X dimensions here a lot. My conclusion is the factory had a good idea by raising it on the step hull boats (2000 and newer), but went too high. When I bought my boat it had 20% prop slip...............
I measured a friend's '97 Heat over the weekend. From the top of the notch to the bottom of the transom bracket was 4 1/8". With his drive down, the cavitation plate is even with the top of the notch.
I later measured mine @ 6 3/4"s (19 1/4" XD). So they raised the X dimension 2 5/8"s if our boats are representative of the rest.
Rumor has it the 07s and 08s are back to the 5 3/4" to 6" neighborhood.
FYI,
Steve

I DIG IT !!

Steve did you lower your drive from stock. Mine is still stock but thinking about it I dont know how much will change with the whipple. Will it get better or worse

Steve Zuckerman

Brayden,
Yes I did. My 5 blade propeller will work at he stock XD, but I never could get any 4 blade Bravo1s to work efficiently at the stock XD. It's just too high.
I have lowered my drive 1" and am running an Imco case.
The B1s now work well, and the 5 blade doesn't seem to mind the extra depth.
Will yours get better or worse with more HP? Good question. It depends on your existing XD and your propellers. If your XD is 18" to 18 1/2"s, which would be 5 1/2" to 6"s from the top of the notch to the bottom of the transom bracket, you'll be fine. If it's higher, you will probably have the same slip %s you do now. If you can test a Hydromotive P5-X, I would. They have been consistently the fastest and best handling props on the Heat. With the 5 blade, your current XD is probably fine. They are expensive propellers, but I do see them occaisionally in the OSO classifieds. Just make sure it's the X model, not the standard P-5. Hydromotive does have a test and exchange program if you are buying new. Mine was also blueprinted by Throttle Up in Florida, who unfortunately is no longer a Hydromotive dealer, but does still work on them. They have an excellent database for Heat modifications, as they have worked on several of ours. I am sure Hydromotive can do a nice blueprint for you too.
Thanks,
Steve

johnlomant

I have a labbed 26 p5x for sale cheap from my old heat $600

Steve Zuckerman

That's a great deal for a boat in this pitch range. The P5-X compares to a 2" larger pitch B1. In this case it would compare to a 28" B1.
Steve

ekbearly

Would this prop be ideal on an 03 Heat with a 525 Raylar? I am looking for the best prop to get great top end. I am getting 70 at sea level and feel I should be getting more.

Steve Zuckerman

ek,
I agree you should be (at least) in the low to mid 70s at sea level. What prop and max RPM are you running?? Something's not right. Either your motor is lazy or you've got some really bad prop slip#s.
raytart got his Heat with a Merc 525 to 80+ at sea level.
Steve

bobl

You need a 1" drive spacer. It will get you 2-3 MPH. That's what all the other Heats I've done required. The P5X works well on the Heat. A labbed 26 Bravo is the fastest though. The 26 p5x may be slightly large to get the RPM you need. You just have to try it.