5 blades on Bravo X
 

anybody running 5 blade props on Bravo X?
have talked to a few prop shops and was told it would not be a issue,but have also heard otherwise,,anybody running 5 blades on Bravos with 1"shafts?any real life experience?
boat has a high X dimension so I want to bring down the slip numbers

What kind of boat? I ran p5x on a Pantera. It wasn't bad except the rear of the boat was too planted. I wanted a little looser feel. Other than that it worked just OK. never a drive problem while it was on. Also ran it with a Imco as well as the bravo lower

going to try them on a 2004 Fountain 35 EX

I run 5 blade Maximus on my bravo 1s, 550hp a side - I can only think of 2 times I've aired them out tho, so far so good.

I ran 30P Maximus 5 blades on my 2004 35 executioner for 2 summers, boat came with 32P 4 blade bravos. The boat really liked the extra stern lift and it would stay on plane at lower speeds. I inspected the drives every spring and never had a issue. Ended up selling the boat with the 4 blades back on it.

My Daytona 26 didn't like the stock Maximus 26.
The boat got on plane better and my midrange was better but the boat hated it for top speed.
The prop caused a lot of transom lift to the point that I couldn't get the boat to pack air.
Have you thought about sending the props to BBlades to help with your problems.

Yes,they are the ones that suggested 31 pitch 5 blade P5X,
besides I thought the round ear/blade on the hydro P5X makes it a bow lifting prop,no?I am not so much worried about the ride of the boat as much as I was wondering if the 5 blade prop would hurt the Bravo X drive,,Hydromotive says no,,but I wanted some input from people that have actually made the switch and see what their
results have been.

IMO, you will have less of a chance hurting the Bravo I with the P5X's than you will the Maximus. We toasted a buddy's XZ on a 33 Outlaw prop testing 5 blades.

I am going with the P5Xs,,,is the maximus that much more of a aggressive prop?

For the props we were testing I believe the Maximus was too big a diameter prop and needed to be modified to work. The P5X's worked as is and got the slip numbers down but planted the nose too much. The Maximus couldn't even get the boat on plane. Ended up with modified Bravo 1 4 blades. Instead of chasing a slip number we ended up just using what the hull liked best, resulted in the best speed, and ignored what the slip number was. The P5X's were the best prop at cruise if not for the running attitude of the hull. .

exactly the reason I am trying 5 blades,slip numbers are high at around 23%,,not looking to loose any speed so if the P5Xs dont work out I will stick with the 4 blade 32s

The Fountain hull may like the Maximus, Completely different animal than the Baja. I just remember the Maximus looked huge compared to the P5X's. After unsuccessfully trying to get the boat to plane out with the Maximus one of the drives shucked the lower gear set. Had to be related.

well the search goes on,,tryed the p5x 31 hydromotives ..I think I will be ordering a set of cutting edge 32 4 blades,,anyone have any experience with cutting edge props?

props
 

What are you going to do with the P5x 31's ?

Thanx, NP

oops! never mind

Please consider trying the BBLADES 4-SPEED 32's through our test program. They are their own design, not a splash of a Bravo 1 like the CE's.

BBLADES 4-SPEED (sterndrive application) from BBlades Professional Propellers
BBlades Propellers | BBLADES Propeller Test Program

Brett

Just on a conversational basis here, how do these new BBlade props compare to the box stock Bravo's. I do understand that every boat is different, every set up is different, but straight up how do these compare? I have multiple sets of props, one is a set of box stock 32 Bravos, what might I expect to see as compared to these new BBlade props? Mine is a 2006 twin step 35 Fountain 525 Bravo XR boat.

The BBLADES 4-SPEED castings are true to pitch. This means they are the pitch that they are stamped. Bravo 1's are short about 1 inch of where they are stamped.
Second, the 4-SPEEDS are actually 15.5" of diameter as advertised. Mercs are only 15" even though they are sold as 15.25"
thirdly, we have a non flaired exhaust barrel to decrease drag.
Forth, we heat treat our castings. The others don't.

So, more diameter will increase efficiency, more pitch (different progression) can increase fuel economy and speed. A decrease in drag is always good and more strength is desirable.

We have seen performance gains of up to 3.5 mph over stock Bravo 1's.
Of course these castings will not be the best on every boat who tests them but they have been better on many.

Brett

Fair answer, thank you. I do realize the Bravos come up some short when measured, was just looking for general result of one to the other. Just installed a new pair of XR's which need some breaking in but would be interested in some more info and the test program once the drives are settled in. Are your props out of the box or labbed to fit the boat, or a case of buyers choice?

Props are sold stock.
There is a standard template Lab recipe if desired. This is a formula we determined as a standard blueprint. Most often ordered online by over seas customers.

We prefer to Lab Finish all propellers (all manufacturers props) specific to the application setup, base line performance numbers and its personality after a few hours of stock usage.
Let us know if you wish to test them. Here is a link to our test program.

BBlades Propellers | BBLADES Propeller Test Program

Brett

Brett wont steer you wrong,.IMO,he's the best in the business!!!He speeks the truth no BS!!!!!!