?? Best prop for 275 baja
 

The boat has the 496 ho 425 hp, I have a 4 blade bravo 22p now. I keep hearing about similar size boats that run a solid 70 and cruise in the mid 40's. I seem to cruise comfortably at 35 at top out at 62 on gps. I took some advice from the board last year to get more top end by lightening up the boat. the best i've seen was 66 with 3 people little gas, no extras on board, but thats not how i use the boat. I also notice this boat doesn't respond well to trim. I was thinking going to a 24 and having it labbed. Am I going in the right direction? thanks for the input. I am also interested in what kind of lift characteristics the different props have on this model boat.
Thanks for any input.
John

Re: ?? Best prop for 275 baja
 

Hello John,

Can you please give us more specific information about your boat.

What is your WOT RPM
What is your WOT MPH (gps)
What drive and gear ratio?

With a little information I am sure that we can get you dialed in.

Julie

Re: ?? Best prop for 275 baja
 

There are certain props that are "the" prop for your boat. The one you have isn't it. However there are things that can most definately be done to help the one you have perform better. I wouldn't go get a 24 Labbed just yet.



Brett Anderson / BBLADES Professional Propellers

Re: ?? Best prop for 275 baja
 

The drive is Bravo 1X 1.50 ratio
WOT MPH (gps) 62 on any day
WOT RPM 5000-5100 ( I don't have a lot of faith in the tach. On several occasions going through no wake zones it has read 1700-1800 rpm with the throttle pulled all the way back throwing no wake at all)

Brett,
I agree with what your saying. The only thing I like about the prop I have now is it gets on plane real quick and with ease. bfd.

Re: ?? Best prop for 275 baja
 

What year is your hull, please.

Julie

Re: ?? Best prop for 275 baja
 

The hull is a 2002
thanks

Re: ?? Best prop for 275 baja
 

The Baja bottom configuration hasn't really changed in years. The slip you are running isn't too bad either. Rpm is good for a 496 HO. Your options lie in raising the pitch while maintaining rpm. Labbed 24 Bravo 1. Or moving to a different prop which changes the attitude of the boat. Either way, 8mph out of a prop on your boat with this power will be hard to get.

You mention other similar boats running 70mph. Are you talking about a 275 Baja with a 496HO or something close? If it is a Baja, talk to them about their set up.

Brett Anderson / BLADES Professional Propellers

Re: ?? Best prop for 275 baja
 

One more maybe stupid question. Is labbed, and balanced and blue printed the same thing? And two, Do you have a prop exchange program? and three Do you work with dealers? Millenium Marine in my area said I more than welcome to try some of his props as long as I ordered through him.
thank you

Re: ?? Best prop for 275 baja
 

Theoretically, they are all the same thing. However, different places do things differently. Lab Finishing has become a term used like "Kleenex" is to tissue.

Lab Finishing is short for 'Labratory Finishing". The term was generated by my old boss Dennis Cavanaugh back in the 60's with Bob Hetzel. Since then anybody and everybody use it however they want to. Technically there is a specific Lab Finish for Mercury propellers and other brands and or people have their own way to "blueprint" their props.

When you say work with dealers, I'm not sure what you mean. Buy box stock from him and we Lab Finish it?

We will work with you on exchanges within reason. If we are off by pitch is one thing. What do you mean?

Brett Anderson / BBLADES Professional Propellers

Re: ?? Best prop for 275 baja
 

I think you can get away with a Mirage on you Baja(no steps?). If so you may loose a little handling, but if you can get on plane your boat will definantly run faster with a three blade Mirage than a four blade Bravo. I have a stepped 30' and cant get on plane with a three blade, plus I need the lift of the Bravo, you may not. Talk to some other owners of similar boats, maybe in the owners forum and find out what they run. If you can turn a 23 or 25 pitch Mirage you minght be in the high 60's ballpark.......

Re: ?? Best prop for 275 baja
 

jcimprover,
I'd agree with Brett. The term lab finished is used like "rebuilt". Everyone has a different definition of what it means. Each shop will do something a little different to the prop when "lab finishing". The same goes for blueprinting a prop. Balancing is just what it implies and only has to do with making sure the propeller is balanced. We balance all propellers we work on as do most high performance shops.

As far as working with dealers we work with many dealers. As the largest distributor of Hydromotive in the world we sell props to many dealers and manufacturers. We also do much prop work for dealers all over the country and supply them with props and prop related products from several different manufacturers including Mercury.

We have a test prop program that allows you to try any of our test props and the only cost is shipping. We have an exchange program in the event you are not satisfied with your propeller. The goal is to make sure that when it's all said and done you are more than satisfied your propeller and the entire experience with us.

Matt

Re: ?? Best prop for 275 baja
 

I would attempt to try all the props on the same day. Air temp and humidity with wind direction and wind speed, also changing water conditions can make the boat run 65mph going east into the wind and 68 with the wind. You may think you get a great prop when actually you get great conditions. Brett at B.BLADES and MATT/JULIE at THROTTLEUP are both great.

Re: ?? Best prop for 275 baja
 

The first thing I would do is get that tach checked. That isn't right.

I had a 272 with a 502 mag. I switched to a 22 Bravo from a Mirage and loved the improved handling. My boat would run 67 plus on gps. (The mirage was 1 mph faster.) You should be running at least that fast. Could be a bad prop. Definitely give Julie at TU a chance to get you in to a better prop. It will only cost you shipping.