87 baja 265 force prop?
 

Hi, I just bought a 1987 baja 265 force with a 454 Mag in pristine condition. when i bought it the guy swapped the old alpha 1 with a new bravo 1 outdrive. the new bravo has different gearing (1.5) the old alpha wasn't! the prop that came with her is a 3 blade, 21 pitch, stainless and only does about 35 mph WOT. I tried out a friends stainless 3 blade 25 pitch and was able to get about 50 @5000RPM. with that prop though it would "spin out" when i would get out of the hole in a hurry. What kind of prop should i get for this boat with the engine and outdrive combo for good overall performance? Thank you guys, Dan

23 pitch 3 blade would be a good start.

I have the same boat, 454 , probably around 375 hp, tried 4 blade 22p. got 45 mph @ 4200 rpm. Will try a 3 blade 23p cleaver ( cause I have one ), tomorrow and let you know the results. The 4 blade handles good, and doesn't spin out, but 4200 wot is too low .

sounds like you might either have too high of a x dimention or the prop has been worked on too many times and is to small od a diameter..that hull should have a 21 p with that engine..what rpm's with the 21p..

I don't believe "X" dimension is a issue as of yet.
The fact that 21P only runs 35mph and the 25P runs 5000 at 50mph is strange. The 25 efficiency is only 64% so there is a issue with that propeller as well as something with the 21.
I would start with a KNOW stock 19-21 pitch propeller and get a base line set of numbers. From there we can begin diagnosing the set up issues.
Let me know if we can assist in test propeller availability.

Brett

ok, I went out yesterday, same boat, about 365 hp, tried a cleaver 15 x 23, 3 blade, got 48 mph at 4200 rpm, then tried a cleaver 15 x 19 3 blade and got 51 mph @ 4750 rpm. I figure a 21 pitch something would be just right. BB, based on this info, what prop will work best on this combo ? 88 Baja Force 265, 454, bravo 1. Mild build, around 365-375 hp. Don't mean to highjack thread, info will benefit thread starter also.
Thanks,
Dale

daleroger,
I assume you are trying the old through hub Merc and TRS cleavers. These props are not the most efficient but did have decent top speed on some applications.
Your slip % is 19 which is a little high. If we harness the slip some the rpm will drop to a level that may be less than you desire. You are also in need of testing a propeller that we know is in true stock condition. A Mercury Mirage Plus, Revolution 4, Enertia, Turbo 1, TXP etc. would be nice test options to get a good baseline. I think a 21 pitch prop may be too big according to the numbers you have supplied so far.
Let us know if we can send you a test propeller through our test prop program. Here is a link to the program details.

Brett

When out today, and tried a Mirage 14 1/2 x 21 that was modified by b blades, according to seller; it was " labbed, cup added for some bow lift, rake slightly altered, blades thinned for 300 rpm increase." wot got 52 mph at 4600 rpm. 3,000 rpm = 35 mph, 3500 rpm = 40 mph, 4000 rpm = 45 mph, 4600 rpm = 52 mph.
I also purchased a 14 3/4 x 21p cleaver, will try it tomorrow.

Tried the 21p cleaver, got 50 mph @ 4500 rpm, mid range not as good, 21 mirage better all thru the rpm range, I think the 21p Mirage in the last post is the best prop for this boat, although, I thought it would do better than 52 mph. But I understand it's heavy , and not state of the art. But it really rides super nice, and handles the waves with ease.
So,,,,if any of you guys have a 60 plus mph Force 265, tell me how you

Hello,

The 3 blade will slip upon hard acceleration out of the hole. Our Quad IV X works well on your boat. I suggest a 25" pitch. Your top end will be good, and your mid range cruise will be better than the 3 blade, saving fuel. Please give us a call.

Thom