Props on the 28...
 

What props are you guys running???
FYI my boat is a twin BB.
I have 26 B1s, but they hit the rev limiter hard now that I have the new exhausts..
So I got a set of 26 Hydromotives.. Word has it that they pull farther...more like 28 B1s.. along with more transom lift...which is exactly what this boat needs.
BUT,
I tried the props last weekend and they broke loose immeadiately.. Couldn't get the boat on plane. I'd say they blew out at less than 2500 RPM.

I spoke to Jo, who recommended adding the diffuser rings to the props to help with the blowout..
I'm with Jo on this... but those diffuser rings had better be "miracle" rings... the props are all but worthless at this point.
I'll order the diffuser rings, but I want to hear what props you guys are using...
Thursty Turtle????:confused:

Yes, we'll be in KW supportin' the team!

'nother pic

Tim pm me with a # i can call you at, I tried a bunch of props on my 28 and i will tell you the results......

JO IS RIGHT I ADDED DIFFUSER RINGS TO MY HYDRO PROPS AND THE BOAT PLAINED OFF MUCH EASIER
A 28 W/ BIG BLOCKS

TimG
You saw the same thing I did with B1 28......a signifigant loss of that kick ass acceleration, and not enough uumff to spin the 502's to 5000 rpm. I went back to the B1 26...but I have the stock exhaust manifolds. You've probably gained another 200-300 rpm with the manifold upgrade. Not enough to go back to 28's.

They say the Hydromotive runs much truer to its said pitch, but there doesn't seem to be the blade area to push our boats.

OPA....we'd be interested to hear some numbers on your boats performance with them.

Tricky919....you too...spill the beans here on what you tried.

I've always thought a 26 repitched to a 27 would be an ideal prop for my boat on the Mississippi.

Bruce

Ok.. Jo said to get some 4 blade Hydros. They pull like one pich bigger Bravos, and give more stern lift.
So I got 26 Hydros, but they didn't have diffuser rings, so she wouldn't plane out.
Jo told me to call Hydro and get the DF rings and have them welded up locally... so that's what I did.
I spoke to Tom at Hydromotive.
I explained the whole thing and he too said that the df rings would help.
I told him about the 26 B1s.. but he still thinks that the boat might pull the Hydros turned to 27... but we'll try the df rings first.
Then we start talking speed. I told him that I was shooting for just under 80..or 80 if I'm lucky. He said no way...
I had him puzzled when I told him that I've seen 76 with the B1 26's.. He says it should have been more like 72, but that's sure not true...
He did say (like Jo did) that the Hydros give more stern lift than Bravos. That's exactly what this boat needs.

As far as RPM.. I could just get to the limiters before with the stock exhausts. Now the motors hit the limiters like a fly swatter...:hothead:
So, having seen 76mph before, I don't see why these Hydros won't get 78. Then if I have the RPM, I can get Tom to turn them to 27 to get me at 80.

This thing has to do 80... I know it will. I know it will.
I really would like to try those 28 Bravo's again though. I got 4700 rpm with the stock pipes.. but now I might get to 5000. But then again they don't have the stern lift... but then they don't slip on take off..so then I could continue to whip everyones azz in 0-70....

Oh, and now one of my new SM manifolds has a water leak... I haven't found out where it's coming from, but the salt crystalizes around the band clamp where the riser mounts..???
WTF?

I have seen it hit 76, and I have seen it hit the limiters, and I have also seen what happens with the 26 hydro's, all I can say is it was ugly!!!!! Oh wait that was the weather.

8 days and counting til KEY WEST!!!!!!!!!

Tim ,
I had a 2002 Pantera 28 with twin 500 hp 502 motors , bravo 1s' . I ran box stock 28 B1 . The boat would accelerate from 60 to 80 in 4-5 seconds , then climb to 86 mph ( on GPS) . Top revs were 5300 RPM .
The props worked excellent all around , but I would agree that the boat could use some transom lift as it is a bit ass heavy . I also ran a set of 27 3 blades which were good for 83mph at 5400 .
Jerry

Yep. Exactly what I was thinking... You have roughly 85 HP more per side and turned to 5300 and went to 86. I'd like to think that I can get my boat to nuge 80..
86 is getting it done..:D

That's about where I am with 26's.

77.5 GPS down river....75.5 up river.....full load of fuel. Have never GPS'ed low on fuel.

Keep testing boys. I'm learning from you! :D

Bruce

Regarding the trim rings on the Hyrdos. Did they say how much top end would be lost. I have a 30' Cig. 2 500 E.F.I.s, 28 Hydros, 15 1/4, 5100 r.p.m.s, 81.2 g.p.s, BUT what a planing nightmare. If its rough, forget it. Ordered the rings, but they were very evasive about top end loss, thus have not installed yet. Do you buy fast props, that need to be modified only to end up where you started? I am thinking about going back to the Mercs. but lab finishing., rather than keep playing with the Hydros. Please advise if anyone has a figure as to top end loss. Thanks.

I ran 84 all day today spanking a few locals But I only got one motor /that must be my problem

That was kinda smart ass just kiding/ im in the neverending serch for more mph / have you all tryed sanding your tabs .Or bottom /straighten it sharpen your props ? sharpen your skeg s I giving valuable stuf here

Just ain't worth it!
 

We ran them this weekend.
The rings made a huge difference in their ability to plane, but I could still blow them out if I wasn't paying total attention, and there was a time where it was rough and I couldn't plane out.
A total waste if you ask me.
Now, on the other hand, this boat runs a lot flatter when it's running. We ran it pretty good through the Key West Harbor at 77+ 4 times in a row. 2 guys 100 gallons fuel.
I put the 26 B1s back on on Sunday. World of difference planing out. I didn't get to compare the top end in the same place, as the ocean was 5-6' and the women were VERY MAD to say the least.
I'm going to call Hydro to ask how/if we can help this blow out issue.
Half the fun with this Pantera is it's awesome accelleration. What good is it if the props won't bite in???

I have a question..why not have a set of 26 or 28 b-1's reworked to 27 and tweak them for more lift? The hydro's will not give you the same midrange as the bravo prop due to the blade design. That is also why they don't plane out well with this boat. Have you called Merc or Houston Prop or someone like that to discuss reworking your old props? I mean all props are generic in their own respects and it would seem to me you take the best basic prop and start tweaking it. I haven't heard of a lot of Pantera's or any non-step boat running many hydromotive props. Wouldn't Jo be sending them out from the factory with Hydro's and defuser rings if that was the optimum prop for your boat? I guess I am just curious as to what could be done to the props on hand to optimize them.

Also the flatter you run the boat, the more hull in the water and more drag isn't there? If you find a prop that lifts the stern better are you off setting the stern lift by making more of the boat ride in the water and thereby not getting any gain in MPH?

Just my some thoughts.

OK VB, I'm with you here.
Jo told me that the boat should be faster up top with the Hydros. I'd certainly never have bought them if he said not to.
It's no lie that the azz is too heavy on this 28 with twin 502s.
The Hydros let me drive the boat without dragging tab. I'd have to have them down a hair with the B1s...even for running WOT.
I think I'm going to send this set of Hydros down the road.

You'r e right. I need a set of 28 B1s sent to Throttle Up to try to get more azz lift...They probably will need to go back to 27"p.
I wondering if they can work with my 26s...cause I'm about done spending money on props by now..:mad:

Level running... yes, more wet hull, not really. I was able to lift the bow with the trim/drives.

Tim ,
Why are you dragging tabs with the B1s' ?
My 28 with B1 28s' ran true - I rarely used the tabs .

JSM

PS : If you want more speed , change the cams - the 502 MPI motors can be easily upgraded to 470 hp with little investment . Comp cams has some good HP500 style cams which can run with low valve spring pressures ( 340 lbs.) Springs , roller rockers , and new timing chains is all you will need .

Re: Props on the 28...
 

jmemoli...gimme a call 732-539-5882 Bernie

Re: Props on the 28...
 

so what was the final prop selection ?

Re: Props on the 28...
 

Bern-
Did you notice that the original post was from '03??

That baot did fine with 26p B1s..
The Hydros were a bit faster, but other than top speed, they were poor.

Running flat water, you wouldn't need tabs.. But if it was at all bumpy.....then you need to level her out. This is a short boat, with two big blocks side by side.... Ballance baby, ballance.

Those 502s were nothing to get excited about. I can honestly say that I wouldn'tt buy another boat with 502 MPIs..... too much trouble...

Re: Props on the 28...
 

Confused me Tim. I thought you had another 28 with twins!!!

Re: Props on the 28...
 

I wouldn't be upset if I did...
I miss that boat. (Not the engines)

It's hard to beat the bang for the buck with a Pantera....