Yesterday I got my props back from Bronson Hill. They look really great. I hope they run just as good. I was debating with them as to whether I should go with 26 or 28 Bravos. They convinced me to go with 26’s even though I think I can turn 28’s (if labbed). My opinion on the 28’s is based on the two tests I have seen with 33 Outlaws. Both of the 33’s had HP500’s and were running 28’s. Power-to-weight ratio of my boat with the HO’s is identical to a 33 with HP’s. Stands to reason that I could run 28’s just like the 33’s do. Oh well, we’ll see.

Prior to labbing, Hill insisted that I first run the boat with the 26’s in stock configuration. When I did so, I saw 4900rpm. Hill told me their labbing will get me an extra 300rpm. If they are correct, then I will be hitting the limiters on the HO’s which are 5150rpm. If so, I will still be happy but left wondering what 28’s would have done. The 26’s at 5150 would put me right at 78mph (8% slip)

I should have numbers posted tomorrow if the weather holds out.

These are the numbers I got. These are speedo numbers. I don’t have a GPS (I’m a low tech kind of guy). I plan on buying one in the near future to get “real” numbers. However, last year I borrowed a GPS one day and it revealed that my speedo was off by 1 mph at mid range speeds and 2 mph at top speed.

2500 rpm – 37 mph
3000 rpm – 45 mph
3500 rpm – 52 mph
4000 rpm – 60 mph
5200/5100 rpm – 78 mph

I’m not too happy with that top speed. Those top speed numbers are the exact numbers I got with the 25-3 blades that I had on there before. Hill was right on the money in terms of getting me 300 rpm with their labbing but I’m not happy with them talking me into going with 4 blade props. My first choice was to go with 27-3 blades but they basically made me feel like an idiot for wanting to run 3 blades on a boat like mine. Late last year I tried some old, beat up, un-labbed 27-3 blades and saw 79 speedo at 4900 rpm. Now if I had gotten some new 27’s and had 300 rpm added to them, I would have to think I would have broken 80 mph. Hill told me that 3 blades suck on a boat like mine even though I was quite happy with the 25’s and 27’s I’d used. This is the last time I let someone tell me what I “need” rather than me telling them what I want.

If you don't have problems with blowout when getting on plane or in cornering you don't need 4 blade props. 4 blade props will be about 2 to 3 mph slower than a 3 blade prop. This is assuming that both props are the correct props for the boat. I would return the 4 blades and buy the 27 3 blades and have them labbed with a little extra cup to help lift the bow and hold better in getting on plane. Every one thinks 4 blade props are better and in some cases they are. But for the tipical boat they will do nothing but slow you down. Mind you that you will get out of the hole much better but if you were happy before with the way the boat handled then why switch?

Yep, I'd always known the downside of 4 blade props but Hill was quick to remind me that just about all the F-1 and F-2 boats are now running 4 blades for speed - go figure???

F1 and F2 boats have such high X's they cannot get on plane w/ 3 blades. If you can get on plane the 3 blades will probably work better.

Just talked to Joel at Bronson Hill. He said he will give me 100% credit on the 26's when I send them back and will send me labbed 27's in return. How's that for customer service. If the 26's had still been stock, it would not have surprised me but since they had already been labbed, I am very surprised to get 100% credit.

Are they giving you the credit for the cost of the props or the props AND the lab finishing?

BTW, they did a great job on my 23" Mirage Plus...

I assume both since he said the only cost I will eat is shipping.

I have a 1998 25' Outlaw with an HP500 for power. I played the prop game with a 23P Mirage Plus and a 24P Bravo I. The Bravo I was so, so much better in terms of hole shot and mid-range acceleration. The 23P was 1-2 mph faster on top, but it seemed to take forever to get there. Getting on plane was a joke. I sent the Bravo I to Merc. Racing for lab finishing. Yeah, they charged me $360.00, but it was worth it. Now, the Bravo I is just as fast, if not faster than the Mirage in stock form. (Gained 2-3 mph and 300 r.p.m.) I would rather have killer hole shot and mid-range, than a tank that took forever to reach top speed, even if it was 1-2 mph faster. It's better for the motor too. Just my .02. Good Luck.

I’m thrilled that Hill is going to give me full credit on the labbed 26’s towards a set of labbed 27’s but I’m highly disappointed that this process is taking so long. It’s Hill’s policy that they will not sell you labbed props right off the shelf. They insist that you run them stock first. So, they are sending me stock 27’s with an ETA of 17 May. I will have to run them stock and provide them with performance numbers. I will then send them back to Hill. They will lab them and send them back to me. The ETA to finally have labbed 27’s will be the first weekend in June!! I have known since last year that labbed 27’s were my choice. I’m just kicking myself for getting talked into trying 4 blades first