Thinking of trying a set of 25 pitch Mirage + props on my 42'.
Just wondering if anyone has tried 3 blades on a 42' and could give me some feedback. Trying to pick up a few MPH on top. Currently running 24 B1's stock with 500EFI's at 5000-5100 with 1.5 XZ drives will run 66-67MPH on calm water. Thats on GPS, boat speedo reads 70MPH. Doesn't really matter if I have a light load or heavy load still runs about the same #'s.
Thanks in advance for any info.

Don't waste your time. Boat will not like the 3 blades

+1.

Try some B1 26's. Or better yet some 5 blades.

Dont try hydros. I had Hydromotive 24 4 blades on a 42. It sucked big time. Constant blow out comming out the hole, no matter how easy you feathered it out the hole. 24 B1's were a huge difference and improvement.

Talk to Bret at BBlades. He can hook you up Im sure.

If it is only turning 5000 RPM with 24 B1's wouldn't 26's just pull more RPM out of it and slow it down more?
Also do you see a couple MPH difference between calm water and 2-3' chop?
Thanks

Its hard to say on the RPM, it may loose some RPM, but it may also increase your speed. Talk to Bret at BBlades. He is the expert.

And yes, I do usually see more speed with some chop versus flat water. I think most Sonics do or most deep V non stepped hulls.

What trim setting are you running the drives and tabs at ? I usually run the tabs at 3-4 which is level with hull and the drives about 3-4. I used to run my 42 at the same settings.

My 45 carries the bow very well, even without any trim angle on the drives.

It usually works the best with the trim at about 3, if you go too much over you can feel it start to slow down. The tabs I will pull up if I am trying to achieve top MPH.

labbed 26's will keep the rpms and possible give more mph. I tried 25" Mirage Plus on my 386, no more speed, very loose feel to the boat. No problem planing, just prefer the 4 blades.

I have had good luck with my 3b Stilleto SS. Now I realize I'm talking apples and oranges here since I have it on a Prowler and y'all are talking twins. But when comapred to the B1 22P I got with the Prowler, I get almost 4 mph (62 MPH) more GPS with the 3 blade. Also, since I have had the 3BS on I have experienced 2 blowouts where I have never had one with the B1.

Ed

Thanks for the feedback.
Ed, I always thought that three blades were faster, I just didn't know if that carried over to a boat of this size. Apparently it doesn't.
Thanks
Craig

Craig, I know what boat you recently purchased and while a three blade would in theory give a higher rpm and speed the weight of the boat doesn't allow it to do that. I've tried a lot of different props on the 42. a set of 22 four blades gave me a good top end but lost it in the mid range. The 42 does do best with the 24's or maybe 26's depending on what water conditions are for that particluar day. A set of 5 blades are great for increased cruising mph but not much help in the top end area.

Also which direction are the props turning in or out??