I was the other "lab rat" for the polished vs. satin finish by Houston Propeller. I am very disappointed to say that I picked up less speed than Nick (bajadaze) ....just kidding.


The boat is a Formula 223, 454/425hp, Gils, Bravo1 and a Hydromotive 4blade. Both tests were performed with a full tank of gas (79 gallons),done in fresh water and pretty much identical conditions.... and yes it was the same Prop.

All speeds are gps

Polished
4000rpms-52.8 mph
5000rpms-65.7 mph
5200rpms-67.8 mph

Satin
4000rpms-53.3 mph
5000rpms-66.0 mph
5200rpms-68.3 mph


I am real happy with the results and can't thank Darin and Kim enough!!!


Craig

So based on those results the satin prop actually hooked up slightly better to give you a little more at the same RPM. I would have thought the satin would not have hooked up as well, but would allow a slightly higher WOT RPM and maybe a little more speed. Is exactly 5200 the max RPM with both finishes?

Craig,
Thanks for your results. Nice to have double confirmation.
Did you gain any rpms at WOT?

I gained like 50rpms, leading to the speed increase of 0.7mph.

Looks like you got 0.5mph. We're pretty close.

I can't swear by it. Between steering, throttling, trimming, and holding my gps... There may have been 50 to100 rpms difference. I actually got the WOT number by looking at the max speed recall page on the gps.

Craig

VetteVette, with a satin finish, you might be only 2 away from tripple digits

Thanks for providing us the excelllent testing results/we'll DONE

The satin finish is helping to collapse the bubbles that cross the propeller blade, thus improving "traction" Polished or waxed finishes only carry the bubbles which displace good hard water.