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

daleroger,

If you can only turn the 21 Mirage we did to 4600 rpm, you'll never turn a Quad 4X 25 pitch even in the 4000 range.

If you liked the 21 we did, get me the serial number off the prop and we can discuss replicating the prop or making slight modifications as needed to the prop.

Brett