Hi Guys,

As some of you know I just bought this 99 Outlaw a few months ago, finally got my other boat sold and the 33 moved over to MY dock and we've been cleaning, tuning, etc the last few weeks. I finally got around the back of it on my jet ski to do some cleaning and inspection (it's nose in on the lift and hard to get behind it). I knew I had 23p Mirage Plus props that were a little rough to say the least because I could SEE the Mirage Plus logo (singular). Well, only ONE of the props is a Mirage Plus...the other IS a 23p but it's a different brand!! I think it's a regular Mirage, has the smaller writing on it, 4 veins on the exhaust hub. Some things are starting to make sense now as my boat rides somewhat PORT side down, the side with the non Plus prop...I tend to run that port tab down more than normal as well. Is this probably the culprit in the uneven ride?

Current performance... 61 mph or so at 4600 rpm. Which sounds about as good as it gets with my power?

So...these props are mis-matched and pretty rough in general. Obviously they need to match. Should I just get a new/used set of matched props? Any other suggestions or experience with "small" power on a 33 and prop size? Lot's of prop info on 496 boats but not much out there on mine.

Let me also add that I'm LOVING the boat!! My previous boat was Monterey 298 SS with twin 350 Mags...basically a giant ski boat as far as hull design and ride. After getting some tips from other owners and feeding it more tab and keeping it at a neutral attitude (not bow high) and letting the bow cut the waves vs. launching it and bashing the hull, in the rough LOTO, I've got it riding really good. Goes about anywhere at 48-50, tabs keep it level and stable even with all the crazy off angle waves and general washing machine we deal with.

Thanks in advance for any help! You know it's greatly appreciated!

I've had a 1999 29 Outlaw and a 1999 302 with 7.4s. Both boats came with 23s from Baja. My 342 with 502s has the same. Pretty much the same hull as you. I most likely have quite a bit more weight than you with full galley, genset, heat, A/C, etc. 62 ish was about the best I saw out of the 29 and 30. Just goes to show the efficiency of the 33's hull.

All three twin engine Baja's I've owned tended to list to port until you find that sweet spot where they like to cruise. Rather than dragging a tab, trim the drives individually to make her level. Play with it before you start throwing money at it. Of course it's never a bad idea to have an extra set of props

+1... I noticed its pretty easy to trim the bow with the drives... its opposite reaction... i.e. trim up the P drive and the S bow comes up sort if like twisting.

I don't have mechanical drive indicators so I had to adjust my mercruiser bravo indicators, which work perfect now..

I also use the individual set of switches for most of the trim adjustments.. I noticed that using the throttle trim switch.. there was a slight delay with small bumps of trim to one of the drives that would make it off a little. Its a lot easier to see the gauges than keep turning around to check the wash... :-)

but love my 33 also... I have 454 mags and have 25p m+ and best of 68 so far and that was the first time I drove it... haven't really had the need for WOT with family on board, but cruises at 34-3500 at 50mph which is 9% slip! ... once I get some seat time, I will probably want to go to a 4 blade set up, but it runs great so far... climbs out under 3k rpms and flat! Only have been in some 2's so ready to test her this summer in some rougher water! lot smoother than the 25OL!

Thank guys! Why would they naturally ride Port down?? Seems really weird.

I am getting mechanical indicators installed by my mechanic when it's in for drive service. The tabs are the stock boat-leveler system with stock $hitty LED indicator you can't read in the sun...or it fritz's and doesn't work at all. And the drives are of course on the stock Faria gauges...about as inaccurate as every other gauge on the boat! So, though it's a big expense, not knowing where all that stuff is set is driving me nuts and could be dangerous in the water we run on weekends. So far the tabs seem to be doing the job, but I could see getting a set of planes at some point if I end up keeping the boat a while. Tabs are HUGE on this lake!

I do seem to have a fair amount of prop spin coming out of the hole...so not sure if that's because the props are so rough or if that's just normal...no way could I nail it out of the hole, it would break loose instantly I'm sure. Right now I seem to be about 3900 rpm or so running 48-50 mph. Sure would like to get the RPM's down and maintain that speed.

My 302 had the ****ty tabs. The Outlaw and my 342 have K Planes. The K planes are much better. As far as the gauges go, I know they're slow to react compared to mechanical indicators, but you can still get an idea of where you like them to be at cruise. Mark them with a piece of tape for a quick glance rather than having to study them at speed. Again, keep playing with everything. Things you think you need now may not be a big deal to you after you have more seat time.

You most likely had Volvo duaprop (sp?) or a Bravo III setup on your old boat. You'll have more cavitation with a Bravo One application out of the hole. You just won't have all that extra drag slowing you down on the top end. Tuck the drives all the way down and give it enough throttle to get on plane rather quickly, but don't hammer it out of the hole like a ski boat. Big block torque + a heavy boat + hole shots = disaster for Bravo drives.

the only chance you will have at dropping rpms is getting labbed props with 4 blades, or you need more HP to push more pitch.. I was running a 23p B1 (worked 22p, generic) on my 25ol and getting around 49 at 4k which was good. Twins usually get a lil better slip so you might be able to get 4800 at 50mph (23p at 9% slip) but that probably about it... (I am getting 9% at 50 cruise with 25p m+)

Yep, I had the Bravo III drives on my Monterey. Again, other than fishing and ski boats (and the Monterey) this is my first foray into performance boats. So, thanks for the tips! I have not hammered it out of the hole, I really don't drive like that anyway, but glad to know that little bit of prop slip is normal.

So, do you guys think I'm okay with UNmatched props as they are? Should I hunt down another clean 23p Mirage Plus and send the old one off to be cleaned up so they at least match?

I would match them up! Will run at better attitude and effeciency! I.e. less slip and less fuel to some degree!

+1 23s can be found pretty cheap on eBay.