I have a 2002 38 Powerquest with 500efi's and XZ drives. I was wondering if you guys are running 28's or 30's and are they labbed. What are you running for speed and RPM's?

Go test the P5x props try the 29's or the 31's. The 5 blades make a huge difference. Better hole shot, mid range and top end. As you have learned it is a pig to get on plane anyway, but the 5 blades help a lot. Congrats on the new toy.

Rich.

Prop choice depends on so much but I can share my situation for what its worth.I have a 2001 Avenger with factory stock 575sci's set up with 34'merc maxims five blades that have had some extra cup. Excellent out of the hole performance, very little bow rise and outstanding mid range pop. I can get up to plane by never going over 2200 RPM but usually put it in the upper 2000 and she comes up nice and easy
Top end in 83 to 85 depending on conditions but only getting 4900 rpm, would like to try something around 32" but still 5 blades.

I have same year, same engines, same drives. I am currently using labbed 28 pitch Merc Bravo 1's and getting 5200+ at 78mph. I have had all kinds between 4, 5 and 6 blades. The fastest I ever had was 29 pitch 6-blade Herrings which put me at 83mph but only at 4900. The best performing was labbed 28 pitch 5-blade Hydros which got me to 5200+ again but dropped down the top end to 77-78mph, but like Mary said, WAY better hole shot and cruise with the 5 blades. Hope that helps...

I have a 2000 with stock 502 MAG MPI's and I have stock bravo 28p 4 blades. I hit 4950RPM on both motors and run about 68-70mph.

Hi,

I have the same engines/drives (500efi & XZ's) and run 30P non-labbed bravos. My 38 (2001) will run 82mph on GPS at ~5000 rpms. I have run a buddy's 28p non labbed bravos. 80MPH top end at 5200RPM. The boat handled a little bit better with the 28's at cruise, and responded better to the trim tabs. There was not a noticeable difference in planing speed between the two props, but it would hold a slower speed on plane with the 28's. At the end of the day, my boat was the same speed as his when I ran the 28's and he ran the 30's, and I am faster then he is when I run with the 30's (his boat was the same speed with both prop sets), so I preferred the 30's. If I spent a lot of time cruising in rough water I would probably like the 28's if I was more interested in using the tabs to provide an even better ride for the passengers (at 30-40MPH) then I can get with the 30's.

With either propset, he was a lot faster planing and accelerating then I was - he is in a 34' boat with same drives/engines, but I would reel him in in the midrange - guessing due to the difference in step design.

Who labbed your 28's for you?

2000, 496 ho ,72 mph ,5000 rpm ,30 pitch 4 blades ,labbed by BBlades.

P5X Hydros are a great prop, give them a try and see what you think.

P5X are the only way to go. I tired the mercury 5 blades and the boat did not like them near as much as the hydromotives. I have the 29 pitch with some added cup / mild lab and they will run right up to the rev limiter at 5250 and produce 85mph on gps on a regular basis. The boat will come on plane with very little tab and throttle. Call hydromotive they were great to work with and allowed me to run several different props so that I could find one the boat liked