Prop Choice on a 37
 

About the only thing I haven't changed on this boat is the props, ran good so I figured why mess with it. Well I lost a prop last weekend so now I want to research if I should move to a different prop/size to optimize performance.

HP500 boat (stock) with bravo one drives, am currently running bravo 4 blade 28P. Never paid much attention to top end so I have no idea what my wide open RPM was, and now that I'm missing a prop I can't test it. Just wondering for those of you who have experience with this boat/setup, what props were you running? Would I gain anything by moving to a different brand like hydromotive?

I got this from a list from Outerlimits for power and speed for a 37 with bravos and standoff boxes

Twin 502 efi 77mph
Twin HP 500 84mph
Twin Bulldogs 86mph
Twin 600's 95mph

This goes back to the days when I had a 97 37 w Bravos on Stelling boxes. The Merc Bravo 4 blade props worked the best for all around performance. Back at that time I tried the Hydromotive 4 blades and did not like their performance on the boat. Hope that helps.

That does help, thanks. What size bravo 4-blade were you running and what speeds were you seeing? What didn't you like about the hydromotive props?

The hydros just did not hook up as well for all around performance. I ran the boat w 1.5 ratio HP500s 28 pitch for about 2 hours and then the motors came out and were supercharged. Changed to 1.36 ratio and I believe a 30 pitch then. If memory is correct 84mph w the 28s and 1.5 ratio.

84 is an impressive # for a stock boat. I don't think mine would do 84, which is why I was thinking I might need better props. But I'm running same as you were, 28P.

Do you have boxes on the boat.

Just look at his Avatar. I see two boxes. :whistle:

Ha, yes and yes. Boat has boxes.

Make sure you pull her inspection covers off and keep her u-joints well lubed!!!