22 scarab need more mph
 

Which prop would be good. Right now I am running a 15.50x22 pitch hydromotive. Speeds are 65ish depending on water conditions at 5200-5300 trimmed up some. I would like to not have to trim it much more then where its at. I can move this prop really easy. Motor is a 383 stroker with a 144 weiand blower. Guessing its making 450-475hp. I wanna keep the rpm's around 5-5300 or maybe alil lower. I am gonna try a 3 blade 14.50x24 pitch this weekend but I am thinking a 4 blade 25 maybe 26 would be something I would like. Is that to much?

It sounds like you've got plenty of Horses, but you should figure out your Torque rating before you go too big all at once. I think you're totally cool with a 24, but I'm pretty new to this so what do I know right? I do have a degree in engineering and have become quite literally Obsessed with all things "OSO". What a great site for a novice to boating like myself. I'm learning quickly, and find that my thoughts on subjects aren't far off from the Pro's on here. I'm at 67 in a Pachanga 22 with a stock 454 Mag and a 23 p Ballistic at 4900 rpms. I think your drive would get one Helluva Workout spinning a 26, what ratio is it?

1.5 gear in the outdrive. I know a 26 is gonna work it but it would only be me in the boat if I ran it. I always prop the boat accordingly to have much weight will be on the boat.

I'd stick with a 3 Blade if you're going to jump up to a 26, but if it were me and I had the power you have, I'd spin a 24 4 blade. Or 25 3. If you're just looking for top end.. spin a 26 3 blade. A 4 bl will cost you a couple mph top end but your holeshot would be pretty good. If you were running a 1.36 I'd say go Big all the way. I think you'd be disappointed in a 4 blade any bigger than a 24.

Welp, gonna try the 3 blade 24 this weekend. I figured if I ran a 4 blade 25 I would not lose any hole shot and still get decent mph on the big end.

What Hydo you running, QIV? If so, not good for natural bow lift requiring more positive trim. What are the boats handling characteristics with that prop?

Try a few props and keep detailed notes on what each does and doesn't do. Then call Brett at Bblades and share the data with him. He'll get you set up!

Yes. Handling is good when trimmed all the way down, but once its trimmed up, the back end seems loose like.

Not sure how much experience you have with this boat but one thing you have to keep in mind is the 22 Scarab has a modified delta pad on the bottom and when you reach a certain speed and trim, thats what it is running on and it will have a tendency to feel a little loose. The trick to running fast with those boats is to keep it nicely balanced on the pad. As part of that a prop with a smaller diameter will manhandle the boat less and make it easier to keep balanced. A pointy ear prop like the Q1v also produces neutral lift requiring more positive trim to carry the bow. You would likely be better off with a rounded ear prop like a Mirage Plus or a Laser which will provide more natural bow lift. If you have the HP you think you do you should be able to run signifcantly faster than you are. You might be better served posing your question in the scarab section as there are several guys running 22s that are in there.

Thank you. I will ask in the scarab section. After looking at the bottom of the boat I always wondered about that pad. Gonna try the 24 rounded ear prop today and see how it is.

Happy to try and help, and best of luck!

Try a mirage + 25, youll like it

I had a '97 scarab 22' with a carb stock Merc 454 300hp with a mirage plus 25 and it would run 62-64mph on the gps every outing. I tried many prop styles. Called Wellcraft and they told me they had spent more money than I had in figuring out props and to leave the Mirage Plus on it. A fellow boater had the same boat except had the 330hp MPI 454 and a four blade/pointed. I could walk off from him. He kept insisting the four blade was faster, but not for this boat!