Just got my Mirage's back from BBlades, they look real nice, hope they work as good as they look. Labbed and a little "tweaking", will see what it does. They worked real well for me in stock form, just hoping for a few more RPMS and a little more bow lift. Its a real pisser having to wait until spring to find out the results. I am still interested in getting a set of 4 blades that work good for cruising speed. Anyone tried Hydromotives yet? Brett thinks he can make me happy with a set of Bravo's but they would have to be heavily modified. Cant speak on the results yet but I learned a lot through talking with him, very informative when it comes to props and how they work.

So three blades will carry the bow better than 4 blades?

Dale, think about dragging the pantera up to next years saber rally!

A standard lab job should get you 250-300 RPMs, I'm sure more could be had if you wanted. I am curious to see your results.

Chris how is it going? No probably not, that date you guys are talking about I think we will be at Cumberland.

Dale, Lesley and i plan on going to Kelleys and PIB a few times this year.. hope to catch up with you at some point

He was shooting for 150-200. I dont think they were cut down at all, just trued up and a touch of cup added, plus some minor geometry tweaks. Supposed to add a little more bow lift so I wont have to trim as far for equal results and carry the bow a touch better at cruise so I am able to trim out more without starting to porpise. I hope it was worth the money, if I can gain a couple MPH its by far the cheapest way to get it.

I was told my 3 blades provide more bow lift than the Bravo's I tested. He said based on my results the hull doesnt like the stern lift that a Bravo makes. Also had an interesting talk about propshaft depth and shorties. I guess one of the negatives to shorties is less bow lift. Was going to find a set to try but maybe not now.

Yes, a little but would think some extra cup could negate that or even add a touch more bow lift. I had found that with the addition of the box and raised prop shaft height speed remained about the same but slip went way up. I haven't had much of a chance to mess with variables yet or a labbed prop which I think will help tremendously.

Makes sense and follows pretty much what I have been told. Props go up, slip generally goes up somewhat. Thats why guys with real high x's run 5 and 6 blade props. The way Brett explained bow lift in relation to depth is that when a blade is on top rotationally it generates downward force on the shaft, pushing the bow up. Makes sense to my limited physics. Less water over the blade means less "meat" for it to push against and thus less force can be applied downward.

My situation is a bit different, my slip numbers are excellent, 6-7%, and I was hesitant to mess with that. Really all I was looking to do was pick up the couple hundred rpms I was short of redline and hopefully a couple mph with it. That and to be able to trim out and loosen the boat up a little more at cruise without creating a porpise to get best speed there.

If you havent already, I would reccomend calling a prop guy and asking questions. Brett was really informative and helpfull. He spend a lot of time answering my questions and explaining the mechanics behind what they were going to do and the reasons for it. I will reserve final judgement until I see the results but very happy with them so far. Have also heard good things about a couple other lab guys, only used BBlades do to good words on here and being close for shipping.

I would think in your case the right prop would help a lot, especially if your slip numbers are really high.