280 Silencer Prop / Mods help.
 

I took my new to me boat out today and tried a couple props, now I need to know what direction to go. Here are the facts.

02 280 Silencer w/ 496 HO. Single step hull, weight approx 5k, stock everything. Boat has weekend package w/ a little extra weight.
1/2 tank of gas, 2 people in the boat. Speeds are GPS.

Std 23p Rev4 : - 32 mph @ 3500 rpm, 36mph @ 3800 rpm, 53 mph @ 5100 (limiter)
Std 26p Bravo 1 : - 40mph @ 3500 rpm, 43 mph @ 3800 rpm, 62mph @ 4600 rpm
Labbed/worked 28p Bravo 1 : - 43mph @ 3500 rpm, 47 mph @ 3800 rpm, 64mph @ 4600 rpm
Std Hydromotive Q4 IV-X 22p : did not try

What to do?

1. Lab the 26p and try to get the RPMS up closer to 5k. Cruise speed/rpm would likely suffer.
2. Try a stock 24p Bravo. - Cruise speed/rpm would likely suffer.
3. Work the 28p some more. Can that be done? The blades are already pretty thin. I like the cruise of this prop
4. Install Dana Marine Flow Torque exhaust, and Whipple Stage 2 tune and hope to turn the 28p harder.
(Kinda want to do this anyway, may just give me a good reason to spend 3k)

A comfortable cruise (40-50 mph) with the lowest RPM is more important to me than squeezing every mph out of that boat. It's just never going to be fast without 650+ hp.
Any Suggestions?

#1

Did you mis print the speed for prop #1 if not something is not right with that prop - 53 MPH at 5100 rpm's.

25p REV4 ?

Have BBlades lab the 26 Bravo 1.

A 28" is too much prop for that boat/power combo and chances are its been tweaked as much as it can be since its already turning the same rpm as a stock 26.

Have Bblades work the 26. Your cruise will not suffer as much as you think.

The Bravos definately perform better on this boat I think. The Rev4's are a smaller diameter, have smaller blades and don't appear to have the diffuser ring flaring out at the end of the hub. It feels like there is too much slip with the Rev 4. Maybe due to the stepped bottom?

Sounds like the concensus is to work on the 26 Bravo. I have a few local guys around Indianapolis that repair and work on props, but Brett seems to have the prop thing down. What do you think Brett? Can you get me some more RPM's on the top end and increase my cruise speed from the standard fiqures using a 26p Bravo? It is box stock with only the 1 test run on it.