I have a 27 Fever that I just put a new 502 with 435 hp, gil exhaust giving the motor about 455hp (guessing). I have a Hydromotive 4 blade 23 pitch prop. Is this a good prop? What pitch should I be running? Which is better - Hydromotive or Bravo props?

Thanks!

The Hydromotives are great props particulary for top end...they generally do well on fountains. The Mercury Bravo 1's are great props as well...They perform so well on so many makes. I would suspect that you will need a higher pitch than the 23P...it will probably put you in the rev limiter. The recommended RPM Range for the 502 is 4600-5000. I suspect you will need something around a 27P in the Hydro or a 28P Bravo. If you can find some props to test locally that is always bonus but if you need further help I have test props I can send to you. What type of drive do you have? I do have some test props for the XR Drives as well.

Julie
Throttle Up Propellers
877-842-6855
www.throttle-up.com

I would try the prop you have and GO from there, see what it does rpm ,how quick does it plane out,and any cavation or blowout on take off and when turning this will give you a base line to start from and then go from there. let me know if we can futher assist after you do this /

I've got a 25' Outlaw with a HP500 for power. I settled on a 24P Bravo I. Love the prop. I had it lab finished by Merc Racing (sorry Darin, I did this before you were on this site) and picked up a few MPH & RPM's. Total r's now are 5,200. I would say you should be in the same prop range. I've also heard great things about Hydro's. Maybe you should try one as Fountain often uses them as standard equipment from the factory. Good Luck.

I have a 1999 27 Fever with a 415 hp Merc 502 Mag. The boat came new with a 23" Hydromotive. The Hydro is great for top end but it sucks getting on plane and is not very efficient at cruise speeds. Bought a 24 Bravo and it planes much better and the cruise speed is better for the same rpm but it porposes badly at top end. This porposing starts at 62 mph and pretty much limits me to 65 top end. At cruise speeds I noticed that less throttle was required to maintain the same speed. This has to be burning less fuel also. All around I would have to say the Bravo is the better prop for the boat but its frustrating dealing with the top end problems.

Thinking about having Darrin work on both props to see if he can help. Either make the Hydro plane better and cruise better or make the Bravo stop porposing at wot.

No expert here and I only have about 30 hours seat time in the boat (4 hours with a GPS) but thats been my experience.

Ron

Ron,Either way you go on the props it won't be easy but what is call when you can and give me alittle more info and we will see what can or can not be done. Thanks

There is always a next time.

They used to prop fountains with mach1's, My 27 had a 24LH and it was much closer in design to the bravo 1's.

I understand that they quit making them and then fountain went to hydro, then "rumor" has it reg is in deep to merc so he now uses their motors and props but I do not know that to be a fact.

My 95 27 fountain would run up to 67 with the mach 1 with a 454 mag and 48-4900 RPMs with 2 people and no ill handling so if you could find one used you might try it. I think a 27 pitch would be too much prop for your boat and HP. My 28 pantera is a bigger boat but I have a labbed 28 bravo 1 and a 575sci and I turn it right now at 48-4900 with full fuel so with that an my experience with my old fountain I would say something in the 24-25 range depending on the style of prop would be best.

My 27 had a 24" Hydro. Around same HP as yours.
Doubt it would swing much larger prop though.

yep, I think you guys are right about the pitch arond 24 bravo one or the hydro 23 pitch with some modifactions to the prop,the mach props back in the mid 80's had a slight problem with blade alingment these props are weld on blades and were not set accuratlley?spelling /anyway they also seem to have had a lot of casting flaws on the hub barrels where I have seen putty put in them /I just did a set like this not too long ago and it was anightmare.just my two cents/DARIN