'01 29' Fountain Help!
 

I posted this a few weeks ago...

I have a 2001 29' Fever with a single 500HP. After talking with Mercury Racing and Teague Marine here is what I did. Initially, I had a Bravo 1 four blade 15.25x26 pitch propeller, I was running 40mph at 3500 rpm and 76WOT-5400 rpm. I sent the prop to Mercury and had it cupped to 27 degrees, after this I ran 45mph at 3500 rpm and 77WOT-5200 rpm. Finally after consulting with Mercury and Teague again I bought a 15.25x29 lab finished 4 blade Bravo 1 from Teague. With this prop I am running 52mph at 3500 rpm, 78-79mph WOT-5000-5100 rpm. I did try a 5 blade Herring in that time but I didn't have the HP to turn it properly. As others have said you should probably go to a 32 pitch from your current 34 if you add a blade. I wish I had the opportunity to borrow props like has been offered to you. Would have made it easier and less time consuming for me. Hope this helps.

All I'd really like to do is get this boat to go 80 consistently. Brett or Julie, do you think this is possible with a different prop? Does anyone have the same boat and had success with what I am looking to do?

Thanks for helping,
Mike

I think the 525 boats do about 79-80 on their best day. You must have a prime example of a 500.

Not to sound arrogant, but I do.

I live on a small lake in upstate NY and there are only a handful of Fountains on the lake. We are all friends and party together all the time.

The 29's on the lake with 525's (there are 2)...we run neck and neck, I can't beat them and they can't beat me. All said and done, we have a great time.

BUT, come summer I'd like to give em a little surprise...any suggestions??

Thanks,
Mike

And the '05 and '06, 29' Fountains with the 525's I'm referring to weigh 5'850lbs vs my '01 which weighs 5'500lbs.

All I need is to pick up 1-2 mph and I'm gtg.

Thanks,
Mike

Nice numbers for a 500 for sure!

Sure....sounds like nipple.

I think it may be possible to acheive your goal but your going to really have to loosen the boat up to get it. The Factory One boats (with no luxuries = less weight) ran 82 ish. I believe the record for a APBA Factory One boat is 82 and some change held by Velocity....followed by the SBI record at 87 and some change held by a Fountain. But I think your really going to have to lift the stern to get there.

You should be thrilled to death that you're keeping up with the 525EFI boats. Probably the best thing for you do now is add some HP with a cam change and pick up 150rpms.

did someone say 87:D

Oh yea...Chattanooga 2007....Nicely done Trent and AMF!

Thanks Julie,

I havent driven Trents boat yet, Chris tested it with Treant in Key West, and said it is a handful, I cant wait to test it this winter.:D

Rick

I think Griff is on the right track.. a cam change and aluminum heads would get you 80 to 100 HP, increasing your top end RPM's and top speed. Carder

Handful is an understatement!!! I talk to Trent all the time, he says it scares the chit out of some people................prepare yourself!:evilb:

MAI0076,

Is the 29 made from a 28 or 30 Bravo 1 casting?

Get the part numbers off the barrel of the exhaust hub.

Thanks for your help everyone.

Brett,

I'll get the info you are looking for and post it.

Thanks,
Mike

I have a friend who has dyno'd alot of late model HP500 carbs. Many of them showed HP in the 575-590 range. Mercury racing motors used to be under advertised.

Sounds a little optimistic but :eek:

start unbolting stuff.....lighten it up !!!

Brett,

The place I bought the lab finished 29 pitch 4 blade Bravo from doesn't have a part number for the prop, they have it in their computer as the 28 labbed part number. They did say that it more than likely came from a 28 casting.

Thanks,
Mike

Mike, you can get the part number off the casting yourself. Anyway, it is most likely a 28. If it is, you are running real well for that boat at 10% slip. Fountains are very efficiant but the single 29's andd 27's can be tricky. If the prop is done by Merc, there may be a way to get a fine adjustment to give you the 1.5 mph you need. The down side is you may lose that same 1 mph at cruise.

Hi Brett,

Thanks for the advise. The boat is in storage and the marina has the prop, I called them for the part number and they gave me the wrong one so I'll have to go look myself.

By the way, there is a chat thread in the Fountain Owners Forum titled "I got the 29 Fever." Your expertise would be helpful and you may be able to get some business out of it.

Thanks,
Mike

prop suggestion
 

Sorry to butt in on a Fountain conversation, here are some #s on a 2002 29' with a 575, owned by a friend.
Stock, with a weird looking 30" Bravo 1 = 83. By weird looking, it had 75% of the cup ground off, from the factory. Yes, it slipped like crazy, don't remember exact RPMs.
Same prop with cup and AZSM boost kit = 86 @ 5600.
Hydromotive 28" P5-X (mine, worked by TU) 86 @ 5600.
The P5-X works very well on the Fountains with their high 19 1/4" X dimension. No slippage at all coming on plane, much stronger acelleration, and better midrange #s per RPM than the Bravo 30".
That same P5-X runs 90 to 93 @ 5800 to 6000, depending on load and weather conditions on my 28' single step Nordic with a modified 575. Handling is excellent on both boats.
Try one if you can (pitch appropriate for your application = 2 inches less than a Bravo 1). You'll like it :D.
Steve

What's the price range for a P5-X?

New, and blueprinted from Throttle Up with frieght to TN was around $1500. I think they are around $1000 "stock". www.hydromotive.com
Unfortunately, TU (unless something's changed recently) is no longer a dealer for Hydromotive.
Hydromotive does sell direct and they have an exchange program. The trick is to find the right pitch as cast, and then decide if you want to modify or blueprint the prop to your specific application. They can do it, or Brent (I think is a HD dealer), or TU.
BTW, I am upgrading my motor this winter and will probably need to go to a 29" or 30" P-5X if anyone is needs a rocket quick 28".
Regards,
Steve

Keep me in mind Steve if you end up changing props. I might be interested in what you have.

Just a quick note. We are not a Hydromotive dealer as of today. However, we do Lab, blueprnt and repair the Hydromotive line of propellers.

Griswald,
Will do. What motor are you running in your 27'?
Regards,
Steve

Brett,
First Matt and Julie, now you..........wazzzuuuppp? In my business we try to add dealers :D..........
Regards,
Steve

509 with cam, M-1 Procharger. I'm spinning a 28 Hydro 4 blade now. I re-read your statement of dropping 2" going to that prop. Your 28 5 blade might be a bit much.

Griswald,
It might be. My comparison is to a Bravo 1 four blade. They are generally accepted to be 1" less pitch than advertised.
The Hydromotive props are, to my knowledge, the actual pitch they are stamped.
Since the 5 blades have an extra blade, adding 20% more blade area, you'll need to drop 1" to 2" to keep your RPM the same. They are harder to turn, but they slip less. If your slip #s are in the high teens, they are worth a try.
Sounds like you have a good running boat. What kind of #s are you getting?
Regards,
Steve

1 person and 1/2 tank of gas I've got it up to 79 on gps @ 4825rpm. Boat should run closer to 85. I plan on trying some different props and some tweaking on the ECM this spring to get some more rpm.

Griswald,

It sounds to me like you have too much prop too, I think you should be turning around 5150-5350RPM WOT. I posted that a friend of mine has a 2001 27' Fountain, 502EFI with a whipple charger on it. He turns a 5 balde Herring (not sure what pitch) and he runs 84-86MPH. I can try to find out what pitch it is if you'd like.

Thanks,
Mike

Sure. I figure I'm short 400-450 rpm. 5200 would put me right around 85mph. I either need a smaller prop or some fine tuning on the ECM. I ran a scan a few weeks ago and saw some things I think I can improve on.

Griswald,
Some RPM is definitely in order. Another 300/400 RPMs should net more boost, and HP comes with boost. Is your prop stock or blueprinted? If stock, there's some RPM to be had by sending in for blueprinting. You might also have some pitch taken out of it for more RPM. I would consult with Brett or Matt and Julie.
Steve

It is a Hydro 28 Quad IV-X that has had some work. It was on the boat when I bought it, so I don't know the exact details. Stay tuned and I'll post up some results around June.

ONLY 7% slip... WOW, I'm impressed........



Doug

My 05 Fountain with 575 is hitting 84 with hering 27p 5 blade. Midrange and holeshots are much better then with lapped 30p Bravo. I may have to size up since I am bumping my limiter at WOT.
Rick