Paging GRH
 

GRH,

How are you making out with that Hydromotive? I borrowed a 26 Bravo last week I liked it. I am probably going to buy one this week. I might try a Hydro again before I decide.

Dave M.

Dave M - I just uncovered the boat Monday! Having a pool put in the back yard F&^$ed up my spring boating.... haven't had the chance to try the Hydro.... Maybe Sunday? I'll let you know....

Dave M - Sorry I never made it out this weekend so no news on the prop.... My new pool doesn't hold water!!!!!:mad: So I spent the weekend watching the "Pool Man" do what I thought was silly **** trying to diagnose the problem.... You want to try it? I wouldn't want to sell it till I had a chance to try it myself... but If you have time to run it & want to pay the shipping let me know.... I HOPE to run it next w/e.... Gary.

Gary,

The 26 Bravo seems to be the prop for me. I got a new one and it works great right out of the box. It stays hooked up in rough water. Something my Mirage + could not do. My cruise speeds are nice ...

3000 rpm = 45 mph
3500 rpm = 50 mph
4000 rpm = 60 mph
5000 rpm = 70+

My top end was decent too. I hit 73.9, I think I can get 75 in more ideal conditions.

Dave M.

DAVE M - Those are real good #'s.... I still haven't used my boat so I can't tell you anything about the Hydromotive... You have a Step hull so I don't know if it will work , but I had much better luck with a MIRAGE 25 then I did with the MIRAGE +... 2-3 mph faster & carried the boat better at cruising in rough water.... I have heard that Merc made the + prop for big twin engine step hulls before they came out with the Bravo... if you come across an old MIRAGE 25, might be worth the try?...

DAVEM - I FINALLY got to run my boat & try the new Hydromotive 24.... dead flat water.... 2 people & full of fuel it ran 78.6 on GPS @54-5500rpm's... the 25 MIRAGE(not a plus) ran about the same rpm & 81.4.... so the 4 blade is a little slower but has much nicer characteristics... planes better... stay's on plane better at slow speeds... seems to have much better mid range & definitely holds better in turns.... I like it even if it is slower.... can't wait to try it in some rough stuff.... Happy boating & I'm looking forward to meeting you at the SUPERBOAT gathering in Sept. Gary...

Hey gary,

I'm glad you like the Hydro. Have you ever tried a Bravo? I'm getting all the benefits you mentioned and not losing much top end.

Dave M.

Hey Dave - No I never have tried a Bravo... but that would give us something to do at the Sept get-together.... we can swap props & see what we find! I'm not surprised the 4 blade isn't as fast as the 3 blade... and I'm not that upset about a couple mph... I do most of my cruising in the 40-65mph range so it doesn't make a lot of difference if I don't get that last mph...