Benefits of purchasing a labbed prop from mercury racing vs. getting one lab specifically for boat. Advantages? disadvantages?

I have a 1989 22ft stingray with a Bravo 1 26p which runs 73MPH @4900RPM
Have also tried a Mirage plus 25p and pretty much same results- But I am hooked on a Bravo 1, with the difference in planning time.
Ideally RPM would be nice around 5200 - But I want to stick with the 26p for faster cruise.

Any estimated gains in labbing the Bravo 1 26p prop? Any difference in purchasing labbed from Mercury vs. having labbed specifically for boat?

Leaning towards a generally labbed prop from Merc. Because I am not sure how much longer I will have this boat. But if there is a big difference in the gains I will reconsider.

THANKS

Satisfaction,

Mercury Racing uses a recipe we designed back in 1996ish. There is nothing wrong with the recipe. In your case, you should end up right on the desired 5200 rpm and potentially gain 1-3 mph. You will loose 1-3 mph at cruise. You scenario is a little simpler than some. You have a single engine boat and your slip % is low.

We duplicate the Mercury Lab recipe when it is appropriate or if we are matching a lost or destroyed Merc prop. I was at Mercury when we first started doing those props so I have a rather intimate knowledge of the production.

If we were to build you a custom Lab we would adjust the rake angle slightly because we have done a ton of Stingrays. Your hull likes bow lift for speed. This adjustment would allow for less if any cruise speed loss with a adjustment to the trim setting from its current setting at cruise. We would also adjust the thickness curve due to your HP to weight ratio. We have learned some things over the years about this as well. Top end gains could be the same or a touch more or less. Back to back testing is the only way to truly know. I would go head to head anytime though. One thing about the Merc Lab is, "it is what it is". With a BBLADES Lab, we will adjust the propeller to produce a better result if we determine the potential is there. Free. Also, our prices are almost always lower than your dealers Mercury price.

By the way, we can absolutely supply you with a Mercury Labbed prop if that is your desire.

Thank you,
Brett