Re: Props for a Pantera 24
 

Hi Noboat,
My 24' Super has basically the same power as yours, 502MagMPI.
I have run a lot of props and like Iron man said a labbed Bravo I can give you the same top speed as a Mirage. But, it must be labbed with mods for added bow lift. I found that I actually lost speed the first go around with "labbing".
Get some good data at 3 different speeds and send your prop to BBlades.
Last year my boat topped out at 75mph @4800rpm running real light with a stock 28p B1. She had a sweet spot that was hard to hold though.
This year after BBlades altered my prop, the speed is up about 2mph in all rpm ranges with the altered prop. And she loosens up with a lot less trim.
Happy Boating,

Re: Props for a Pantera 24
 

Pat, do you have a stepped or non-stepped SB? I really want to stick with the Bravo 1 if I can get a little more speed. I love the boat so far but I really thought this boat would have a little more top end. Now that it's hotter 70 is about max even running light. Two people and a little over half a tank and she'd only pull 68.6 in the 93* temps. I know the SB is a little faster but I really thought I could run a consistant 72-74.

Re: Props for a Pantera 24
 

My boat is a 1997 non-step hull.
Yes, the Superboat may be 1-2mph faster because it weighs about 200lbs less.
Is your 502MagMPI totally stock including the cast iron exhaust?
When I rebuilt my engine, I had the heads bowl ported and I'm running Stainless Marine exhausts. My engine probably make 30-35HP over stock which equates to another 2mph.
I agree your boat should run 72-74mph once she is dialed in...

Re: Props for a Pantera 24
 

Yes bone stock 502 mag including the heavy azz exhaust manifolds. It was running 72 this spring with the Mirage 25 I borrowed for testing. The Mirage 25 I bought isn't giving me the same speeds. I'm down about 3 mph. I don't know if it's the warmer weather or if the prop I borrowed had a little tweaking done. Temps are down to 77* today with less humidity so I am going to head out after work with two people and light gas and see what it does.

Re: Props for a Pantera 24
 

FYI -

I am selling my M-1 Procharger with the AW324 Intercooler. The Procharger was rebuilt by the factory 105 hours ago and the Intercooler is not even two years old and has only seen fresh water.

If anyone is interested, lets talk!! All someone would need is an Aeromotive Fuel Pump and regulator.

Re: Props for a Pantera 24
 

FYI my azz! You know that was directed at me Kirk! :D

Re: Props for a Pantera 24
 

Well with the 25 Mirage I ran a consistant 70 mph with two people and a half tank of gas yesterday. Temps down to 75* and not nearly as much boat traffic to deal with so I could bring the tabs up further.

Now the question is do I get the 25 Mirage tweaked or the 26 Bravo 1. The Bravo is 2 mph slower but handles much better. Decisions, decisions.

Re: Props for a Pantera 24
 

go for the handling and beat kirk up on the charger. :D

Re: Props for a Pantera 24
 

I'm thinking the same, about the handling that is, not the charger! :D

Maybe I'll end up getting them both tweaked! :D

Re: Props for a Pantera 24
 

Just missed out on a labbed 26 Bravo 1! :mad:

Re: Props for a Pantera 24
 

Don't bother spending $$ on a 3 blade, just keep it as a spare. Send your 4 blade to BBlades for some added bow lift.
Get the boat balanced so you can run with out dragging a tab and dump the cast iron exhaust for some good cast aluminum manifolds.
Then Enjoy!
Happy Boating

Re: Props for a Pantera 24
 

Get rid of those stock manifolds.

FYI -

I know a great CMI Distributor!

Kirk

Update from last year.

#1- I found out the very first Mirage prop I borrowed was labbed at one time. Which would explain why it was slightly faster. Nothing major but the blades were definitely thinner. Good news is I ended up buying the prop. :)

#2- I bought a non-labbed 26 Bravo and absolutely hated it in the slop. Threw the boat all over the place. Thought about having it labbed but then I risk the chance of having a $700 prop that might not work. So I decided against it.

I have a little more power this year and I am running 76 with a light load with the Mirage and running over 74 loaded up. :D But, the cruise on this prop sucks. Most of the time I don't care but I do go on some long runs a few times a year. Cornering isn't great either.

I'm planning on trying a Rev 4 prop. I am hoping the smaller diameter won't throw the boat around as much and having more rake will carry the bow better.

I'll post results if/when they happen.

i have just shy of 600 hp -- TRS and am running a labbed and turned down mirage 25 (turned down to a 24). at WOT i'm at about 5100 rpms and am seeing about 78 on the speedo. I'm actually looking for a 23 to get me up to 5250 rpms and maybe gain a little more MPH.

i drag a little port tab and the boat runs very smooth and flys great -- i've had many compliments on how smooth it is.

chaos, a konrad w/ a shorty would be slick!
probably gain 5mph.

Well I have a Revolution4 25 pitch on the way. Should be here Thurday at the latest. Weather permitting I'll be testing this weekend and posting results.

i'd love a konrad -- just can't spend the cash (no real sense to right now since mine is working great).

i am thinking about selling and moving up. i've put so much money into mine i'll never get it out. (but its been a helluva ride!!!)

OK... move up... good move.
and don't worry about recouping. it never happens.

Ever try a Hydro P5X?
I did last Sunday and the handling is awesome! The top speed on my boat was down about 2mph though.
I have a used 25p sitting in my basement that is for sale, $600 takes it.
I'm going to give it back to the owner as I really don't have the cash to buy it right now.
I can put you in touch with him if you like. He is Condor 24 here on OSO but I'm not sure how often he visits.

Well I got to try the Rev 4 this weekend and my it was much better than a Bravo on my boat. Ran looser than a Bravo, much better bow lift and didn't lug the rpms down as much. I was actually surprised that I was able to pull the rpm I did with the prop. Very little slip too!

Boat ran 74 consistantly with a best of 74.7 running just over 5100. A couple mph slower than my Mirage but the handling and cruise was better. Mirage usually runs a consistant 76 at 5200. With a good lab hopefully I could be close to the Mirage's top speed.

Is the Mirage a plus or regular? 25" right? And labbed?

Is your boat the sport model or an SE?

Non-plus 25 that has had some work done to it. But I bought it used so I am not ure what exactly was done, but the blades are thin and sharp. I have a Sport.

I ran a Revolution prop on my 24 and thought it felt real loose...

It was definitely looser than the Bravo and the QIV, but I like to run a little loose. But not quite as loose as my Mirage. The Bravo threw my boat all over the place in the slop and needed a lot of trim.

Honestly, the best way I can describe the Rev 4 on my boat is the equivelent of a "4 blade Mirage".

Out doing a little prop testing last night...

2 guys, 1/2 tank, full cooler, 80°F, 10mph winds, a ripple - 6" chop.

First, a ø14.5" X 28p Mach Stern Driver 4 blade prop.

Top speeds:
73.1mph at 4600rpm into the wind.
74.0mph at 4700rpm with the wind.

Out of the hole, this prop broke free some and required a little bit of feathering. The boat ran nice and level with a good attitude. In hard corners the prop did start to brake free.
With a little tweeking to get the rpm up, I think the top speed would increase some.

Second, my labbed by BBlades ø15.25" X 28p Merc Bravo 1

Top speeds:
74.6mph at 4800rpm into the wind.
75.3mph at 4900rpm with the wind.

My B1 is still the best 4 blade prop that I've run on my boat.
Best top speed, best out of the hole, and does not brake free in corners...

Next up will be a stock 27p M+...

Great test results Pat. Sounds like you had fun last night wish I could have made down. I will definately make it out one for one of these tues, test days... Talk to you soon, Anthony

I agree, good results! Refresh my memory, are you running a stock 502 with Stainless Marine exhaust?

Let's get together soon T.
I've got that labbed 26p B1 for you.

Yup.
A basically stock 1997 Merc 502MagMPI with Stainless Marine exhaust. I did rings, bearings, oil pump, and a valve job about 150 hours ago. When the heads were done, they did also have some pocket porting done. The cam is original so I think it probably only makes 25-30HP over an all a stock 502Mag with cast exhaust.

Then I'd say those are very good numbers! :D

Put 200 miles on the boat this weekend and I love the Rev 4 on my boat! I rarely touch my tabs now. Gets on plane great and boat responds MUCH better to trim position. Was out in lake Michigan in some pretty good snot and had a blast! :evilb:

Vary Cool!
I wish Merc made a 27p Rev 4.

I did try a Turbo Fusion 4 in a ø14.5x27p last year. My boat handled great, but the speed was down vs. my B1.
Brett at BBlades told me the Rev 4 was about 2mph faster than the Turbo Fusion 4.

Onesickpantera,
I have been closely watching this thread. I bought the 24 Sport that JHarran had in Arizona. Stock 496HO.
I have a Bravo 1 26 and a Mirage Plus 25 that are both unaltered. I have only spent a few hours running the boat and have had to run heavy on the tabs to correct the porposing. The highest RPMs I've seen were 4500 with the Mirage Plus and about 4200 with the Bravo 1. Speeds are probably low to mid 60s I guess. I am thinking the Rev 4 could be the answer for me as well. It ought to be and improvement in RPMs as well.I don't need every last mph but would like to see some decent handling. What do you think?
Thanks, Greg

I hated the stock Bravo on my boat. However I have been told that a modded/labbed bravo is much better. With my Mirage I had to drag a lot of tab to keep it from porpoising at cruise, even with the prop buried. And I constantly was playing with the tabs to find the "sweet spot".

With the Rev4 I was cruising with tabs slightly negative and the prop buried and had no porpoising at all. The nice thing is when cruising like that I can mash the throttle and trim it out and be doing 65 in just a few seconds! With the Mirage I couldn't do that because I had to drag a lot more tab.

What rpm do you need to run?

I am sure they will be offering bigger Rev4s as demand increases. I am running VERY LOW slip with it, like 6-7%!

I agree a stock Bravo 1 is not great. With a stock B1 my boat required way too much trim and the sweet spot was small.
BBlades modified my B1 for more bow lift and it runs great.
I believe that Jo ran a BBlades altered B1 on the Army race boat.

It sounds like the Rev 4 or a modified B1 are the best all around props for these type hulls.

For a 496HO, you want to see 4900-5000 running light and trimmed out.

Maybe.
With low slip like that maybe a 25p bent to 26p would work for me.
I know T-Mone wants to test one too, so I may ask Brett to send a 25p our way.

Thanks Guys! Looks like I'll need to try a Rev4 also.
Full hydraulic is the first issue I need to address.

Also spoke to Jo today. Huge help as always. He had some great tips for me to learn to drive this boat to its potential.
Thanks Jo!

Full cooler or empty when done? :ernaehrung004:

Not quite empty; there were two bottled waters and some ice left...:D