Hi, I have a Caravelle Interceptor 232. The boat has a pad bottom, 320 HP 6.2L Mercruiser with a 1.65 Bravo One drive and it weighs 3500 pounds.
I am looking for a good all round prop but especially one with high mid-range cruise numbers. I spent some time testing props this summer. All speeds are GPS and rounded to the the nearest 1/2 mph as different runs gave different decimals as the condition changed. The results are as follows:

20 Enertia
55.5mph @ 5400 rpm (on limiter)
32 mph @ 3500 rpm

22 Enertia
57.5 mph @5100 rpm
35 mph @3500 rpm

21 Vengeance
58mph @5200 rpm
36mph @3500

21 Mirage
60mph @5100 rpm
39 mph @3500 rpm.

When I bought the boat the guys on the Caravelle site said scrap the Vengeance and get an Enertia. From what I had heard the Enertia was hard to turn and so I bought the 20p. The thing spun to the moon.
I could hit the rev limiter without even trimming up. Holeshot was excellent of course but it was too small a prop.
The 22 Enertia still had great holeshot but was much improved cruise speeds. Grip is outstanding and it never blows out, I can trim it right up to the top. However it does not run any faster than when it is at neutral trim which is half way up on my gauge.

The Vengeance was a surprise. It looks like such a tiny low tech thing that I never even tried it until last week.
Holeshot was excellent and i could trim it pretty high (3/4) before it starts to slip. It matched the cruise of the 22 Enertia and was slightly faster at WOT. Nothing wrong with this prop.

The dark horse in this race has been the 21 Mirage plus. It actually is 23 pitched down to a 21. It had the worst holeshot until I put large PVS plugs in and that woke it right up. The Mirage was the only one with high cruise numbers and is a fair bit faster on top being the only one to get me to 60 MPH. The big downside with the Mirage is it does not like to be trimmed. As soon as I go past 1/2 (neutral) it slips. Therefore it doesn't lift the bow as much either. One guy suggested that perhaps it lost some of it's cupping when it was de-pitched to a 21. It looks like the cup is intact but hard to tell. I suppose I could just live with it but was wondering if there was something that would give me equal or better cruise but more grip. I am guessing the repitched Mirage is probably more like a 22 so i was thinking a 23 Mirage + might be the ticket but was unsure if it was still going to have the grip problem. Any suggestions? The Rev4 is popular on this hull but gives up 5-6 mph which is way too much. Would a 23 Tempest work on a boat like this? Thx

Sounds like you have found your prop... worked 23p m+, has both highest cruise and top end.

Also, what Rev 4 did you try? 21p? What is your WOT range for that motor?

(just ran you slip) From your #'s, looks like your slip is lower on the top end and based on some quick Bblades slip calculater, that 23 worked is running closer to 23p than 21. 5100 at 60 would be 2% slip... not likely.
I would try the 23p rev 4, might slow you down a lil on top but your going to get a better cruise. the 21p I tested held my 25ol bow up nicely but never had a 23p to test which I thought would be been great.

good luck!

RPM range is 4800-5200. The 23 Rev4 would be too much prop and I know a 21 would be slower than I like. The 23/21 Mirage is working for me but will not let me use any positive trim at all which is the reason for my post.

You might try a stock 23p m+ b/c according to your slip, that's what your getting out of the reworked prop. Also, if your getting the speeds from it with out having to trim out, whats the harm? are you getting bow steer?

I would still look at trying a 23 rev 4 as it would put you at 60-61. They have good bow lift out the box and your getting speeds from 23p now according to your slip. IMO.

The Rev 4 I tried on my 25ol worked well... trim seems mechanical almost.... touch it and it would raise bow immediately.

I would send us your 23/21 and have us measure it add some rake angle. This will carry the bow and you will still have the Mirage benefits you currently have.

Brett

I have not tried the Rev4 myself on this boat although would love to. I ran one on my last boat but everyone with this hull says they are great except they lose anywhere from 4-7 mph. Because the drive is fairly low they end up having to drop at least 2 pitches. I think that is why they lose so much speed. My last boat had a 250 Etec and I would jack the motor way up to run the Rev4. I have big doubts that I could turn a 23.

Rake? Would that prevent the prop from slipping? I was wondering if when they laid these blades back to de-pitch, now the cup does not grab the water like it should. Had a good look and the cup itself looks fine.

"Cup looks fine." Not sure what that means. What do you mean by that?
Yes de-pitching in "a way" that could cause the blades to be laid back is improper. Minor/so-called adjustments can cause serious repercussions.
This is why BBLADES kicks butt......................

Sorry, I just had to brag for a second.
Send us your prop and we will tell you if we can get you where you want to be or if you have a pipe dream............


Sincerely.

Brett A Anderson

Not sure what I mean... except that it doesn't look like it somehow got hammer out of existence when it was worked. The PO had it done at B&B props in Fort Worth. It was re-pitched and balanced. I would need to give you a call and discuss what we have in mind here. My other option is to find a stock 23p M+

Either way, if we can help, even answering questions, give us a call.
We have a 23 M+ for testing too if your interested.

Brett