I was running 24p bravo's on my Bullet (502 motors) before I lost one. I was getting

43mph @ 3500rpm
62.5mph @ 5000rpm (rev limiter stops here)

I have been using my backup 23p hydromotives since and get

44.6mph @ 3500rpm
66.2 @ 5000rpm

Now, on to my question. I notice that I have more room on the sticks at 5000 rpms with either of those 2 props. I can run the sticks up another 1.5 to 2" until they stop so I know the carbs are letting more in, but the rev limiter is stopped at 5k. If the throttles is still able to move, does it still continue to open the carbs for more? If so, does that mean I could go up in pitch on a prop to maybe get a little more cruise/top end until it matches that 5k rpm? I'm curious if its worth trying some 26's or 28's and see what happens.

Couple of questions:

When the sticks are full forward are the throttle blades full open?

Or are the throttle blades full open prior to pushing the sticks all the way up?

Is the rigging tight? No flex in cables after throttle blade WOT?

When at 5000 rpm on the limiter is the motor breaking up or running smooth. If running smooth you're not on the limiter.

With that info we could offer more help.

You picked up speed by going down in prop size, if you move up to a 26/28 its going to kill the rpm and slow down..........what are you using for a limiter ? what HP are the engines, carb efi

A 23 Hydro is virtually the same actual pitch as a 24 Bravo.

Being on the rev limiter feels like an engine misfire when the limiter kicks in. What engines do you have with a 5000rpm rev limiter???
Chances are your carbs are all the way open before the throttles are all the way forward. Simple to check this with the engine not running.

I'm not sure about the throttle blades. I would have to check when I get the boat home. I definitely never have seen flex in the cables though. When it gets to 5000 RPM it is still smooth, not popping like you are describing and what I've seen in a rev limiter. I am just going off what the previous owner stated when he had the motors installed. When I snapped a lower input shaft and lost the prop the RPMs hit 5k, but didn't go beyond that event then so I was just assuming that somehow the limiter is holding 5k.

I did pick up just a bit of speed with the hydromotive vs bravo which is what was on there prior. I lost a bravo prop and had the hydro's as my backup. I'm not sure what the limiter is though. Never really looked at it.

The motors are basic 502's with (what I was told) HP500 intake manifolds. Also, been told that they are about 450hp a motor.

I wish I had more info and kicking myself for not knowing more about my own boat.

Do you know what size carbs ?

Holley 850's

Sorry, meant to include that in the other post.

From the limited information provided to date I would not go up in pitch. The 23" Hydromotives are providing significantly better performance than the Bravo in your application. I'm assuming getting on plane is a non-issue.

You need to find out what your actual rev limit is.
You need to verify the throttle blades are fully open with the sticks buried full forward.
Once that is done play with the props.

Thanks. At least I have something to start with. Just always seemed very odd to me that I stop at 5k and had room on throttle. Soon I’ll have the boat on my trailer and home so I can have more time to look at it.

I have a set of 26p bravo 1 4 blades if interested.