BTW...temperature & humidity will have WAY more effect on your speed than any prop will. Make sure you spin at or near the max rpms (5150 I believe with the HO)with your choice of prop because when it's hot and humid and full of people and gear, you'll be well below it!!

Don't forget to take into consideration if it's salt or fresh water. Salt will be faster...

Vyper...there was an interesting article in PRA a while back about this very issue. It was looked at rather scientifically and the net result was there was no difference!!. The best I ever saw on my boat was 67+ and that was in optimal conditions, cool day, salt water, running with the tide. The new owner of the boat got a speed of 68+ in fresh water. All speeds GPS with the same prop. Go figure....

Great thread guys...I am getting ready to send off my prop and this is very good food for thought.

I have the 502 w/24B1. After adding headers last year, I hit the rev limiter at will...

Update...The prop should be ariving at Houston prop where Darin will make it a 25 and thin the blades to keep the rpm's up around 5100. No turning back now.:D

Uh-oh, sounds like the 70 barrier is gonna be broken this summer...:D

That is the goal Rick..:D

I just hope I don't go the wrong way. I know what Indy dealt with when he had his prop labed. It worked out well on my Vindicator but every boat is different.

I would feel a whole heck of alot better if someone else out there with the same setup had tried this. I sent out my ECM Friday and actually asked Darin to work the prop so that it is a 25 and the RPM's are at 5200. Rev limit will now be set to 5400 but I will not be getting close to that number...

After working the speed calculator, I SHOULD be able to hit 71 with no problem. Maybe 72 with all the stars, sun and moon alligned..Oh, also with that 5 mph tide.:crazy: Who knows how fast it will go if I can hook up in your draft as you blow by me in the new 32.:o :cool:

The things we do to pick up a few mph's...I think I have lost my mind.

From the info I got,, stock 288 runs a 24 B1 at 5100 and approx 67-69, and a stock 26 B1 at 4700, I'm hoping a labbed 26 will run 71-72 at 5000...

Chris232, I'm running a 26labed Bravo and see 71mph on smooth water. With a hp500efi!. You will need to empty that boat, and get in some 1' chop to see those numbers, I fear. Good luck.

While I do not have a 288 Sunsation, I agree 110% with what “Indy” has said about lab finishing:

DON’T WASTE YOUR MONEY, LIKE I DID!!!

Seriously, the only real benefit I can see with lab finishing is getting a “custom sized” prop. A little more or less pitch… or perhaps a little more or less diameter. I have yet to find any “magic” speed that is hidden in simple a “lab finishing”. If a prop needs to be worked from 26” pitch to 27”… is there really gonna be a 3 – 5 mph increase. I thought so, but I was WAY wrong.

I actually lost speed when I lab finished the 32” Bravo four blades in my Sunsation. Mid range speed was about 4 – 5 mph slower as well. I have to believe that the guys at Mercury know what they are doing for the most part when designing props. I can’t imagine a one man shop with a hammer and vice being any more efficient at propeller making. Changing sizes, sure… re-engineering the hydrodynamics involved? Doubt it.

Sorry to be such a down on this subject, but I feel it is my civic duty to share my experience(s) with “custom” props.

-Bayley

P.S. CJ, nice to see that your ban has been lifted. :D