I have a 02 31 sonic with 496 ho's what props are you guys using for max speed? It came with merc 26p and for those of you using labbed props are they stock merc labbed props or who did you send them to to do the labbing?

I'm running Bravo 28P's labbed by Bblades on my '03 with HO's. I have yet to find a better prop for the boat and I've wasted a bunch of money trying. The best speed the boat has seen is 76.2, but it's typically in the 74-75 range.

so did you but labbed props direct from bblades or did you buy stock 28p and had him labbed them ?

I also use Bravo1 28p labbed by Mercury racing. I also use Bravo1 28p stock for use on the St. Clair river where there is a risk of prop damage. I see close to the same top speed but I have not tested nearly as extensively as Plum. I notice the labbed are smother and launch better off waves in lake Michigan, have more porpoise at slower speeds, and turn at a little higher rpm. Either set of 28p will always run at least 75, with light load maybe 1-2 mph more. I rarely run at WOT, either set seems to cruise at 70 without much effort.

so z06 what is the diff in wot rpm from the labbed vs the non labbed?

150-200 rpm, Stock 28p's will be around 4950-5000, labbed I'll be close to rev limiters and have touched them a few times. It's difficult to give exact numbers since I haven't ran both sets on the same day for the last 3 years and as we know there are a lot of external factors. The boat runs great on 28p here on the great lakes. I'm not sure why Sonic delivered some with 26p props, maybe the salt water, warmer air & water temps and greater humidity between Florida vs. Michigan make up a 2 pitch diff.
I have considered trying Bravo1 30p labbed to bring the rpm down but I think there may be to much prop slippage to obtain a greater speed. Maybe Plum tried labbed 30's?

I sent Bblades a brand new set of stock 28's. This isn't generic labbing. They were designed specifically for the boat and the RPM's I wanted to run. My boat is fastest around 5000 RPM. I don't like to run on the low end of 4700-4800 because I think it's hard on the equipment. However, I do know that kjberman did run labbed 30's on his 31SS with HO's and saw 77 MPH.

plum crazy sounds great!! so exactly what did you tell bblades you wanted from the stock props you sent them? just increase by 200 rpm etc.?

If you go to bblades.com, they have a form to fill out about your boat. I recommend you talk to either Brett or Brad on the phone, too. You should run the stock props to see how fast you can spin them as not all boats are the same. Basically, you're looking for more bow lift and around 5000 RPM at around 70°. Keep in mind that you will gain RPM in cool weather and lose RPM in hot weather. The HO's hit the rev limiter at 5150.