My new to me 35TS is having trouble getting on plane, right now the fastest way to get on plane is to leave the tabs neutral, drives tucked and let the bow come way up. If I introduce tabs at all the props really want to just blow out and have to fight with it by splitting throttles and giving power to the side that is still slightly hooked. Anything more than 3/4 tabs becomes an exercise in futility.

Have had a lot of recommendations like adding a 1/2" or 1" spacer but have decided to get some new wheels first.

Right now the old (came with the boat so I have no Idea how true they still are) 4 blade 30P Bravos will just touch 80MPH on a good day. Have negligible ability to lift the bow above 40 (you can keep trimming but no real change in bow lift). They also max out at 4700RPM pretty much unaffected by trim until you push it too far and start loosing speed and blowing out the props.

Have been advised to switch to 5 blade 28P but was thinking if I go 5 blade to drop down to 26P.

Other thoughts?

Oh yea, straight XRs, no boxes or spacers now.

I saw your post over in the Cig forum too. Are those props modified to a smaller diameter? Maybe they were a spare set thrown on it when you bought the boat, and it was never really meant to run with those props?

I just mention diameter because that's what really changed the ability to plane for my boat.
16.5" diameter = could not plane
17.5" diameter = no problems planning

BUT, I have a very different setup so I cannot offer the right answer for your application. You may want to look into the diameter and compare with other guys that have the same setup.

I am surprised this is happening with stock xr lowers. I know that planing is difficult with sportmaster lowers and IMCO. I have IMCO lowers (-1"), I had to make a set of custom larger cavitation plates. I also put a 1" spacer in. I scrubbed 4-5 miles an hour when I put the spacer back in. I run around 84-86. The stock Bravo 1 4 blade 30's are what the boat came with from the factory for the 500efi. The boat should hit 80 with that setup. I have warmed up 500efi's. I do run 5 blades. I have Hydromotive PX5. Give and take with everything. I think the 4 blades will give you more top end. The 5 blades give me a much better cruising speed. Stress on the drives for 5 blades of course is more. I even tried some herring 6 blades, I couldn't get the boat on plane. I also tried a few Maximus props. Find some different wheels and prop test before you invest the coin. Every boat in my opinion is different.

Mine is bunny boat number 3

I chased speed and #s on the last Cigarette (Top Gun) Go with drive ability and enjoyment. With the 500's 80-81 is the number for the playboy, you just need a prop that will help you plane. How is your water pressure with the XR's. Just curious.

New props is a good place to start. I would try and borrow another set of 30's that are bone stock and see if anything changes. It seems like you should be a little closer to the rev limiter and that should add a couple mph. Also, keep in mind with a stepped hull trimming the drives out isn't going to raise the bow like it would on a straight hull. Most of these boats run the fastest with the drives trimmed to neutral and little to no tab.

WP has been consistent and higher than any of my other boats, What's too high?

Thanks Cig, I am absolutely NOT looking to chase speed with this boat either, just looking for the best all around cruise package. I even told PBC to give me a recommendation on some subtle mufflers too since the straight pipes make it less enjoyable for me (god I'm getting old). Could care less if it get a few more MPH just don't want to leave anything on the table if it made the boat preform better overall while I am changing parts.

As far as over stressing the XRs with five blades, I am not too concerned if it makes the cruise better, trim better and helps out the hole. I am not going to be racing or hammering her (I'm too old for that), she is after all a 15 year old 35ft 500 boat with XRs, nice package and fun to tinker with but is never going to light the world on fire. Kind of like a stock 2002 corvette convertible to me, fun to drive, faster than most but going to get her ass handed to her in a real race.

I am sure I probably have the worst set of wheels the previous owner had and I intend to put them right back on when I sell her in a few years too.

Really good point, I suspect the props it has have been "modified".

I get that the stepped hulls run flatter, its just that trim seems to have no effect at all except for making it slower. RPMs stay the same, bow stays the same, manners stay mostly the same through almost the full trim range (until you just get stupid).

muffler inserts http://marineexhaust.ggb.ca/

I'd start with known stock Bravo1 30's to get a solid baseline.
It looks like your WOT speed is close, but the rpms are low and will get lower with Summer heat and humidity.
The props may have had pitch added or other mods. You ideally want the WOT rpm at 5200 with a light load of fuel.

Never had this problem on my 2001 Playboy. I had two pair of bravo 30, with labbed it would run 83.

BMBoyer,
we have 30 B1's in stock condition for testing if your interested.

Brett