I think in the long run those crate engines sound good. It seems like you can drop them in and go without that many problems.

I want to find someone local. I've read to many horror stories about these long distance deals.

PAT YOU ARE WELCOME TO TRY MY LAB 26 JUST GOT IT BACK FROM MERC. AND IT GOES AS FAST AS IT DID WHEN IT WAS STOCK BUT I DID PICK UP 300 RPM. IT WILL SOON GO BACK TO THEM AGAIN AFTER I TRY MY NEW 28. I ALSO HAVE A FAST 25 MIRAGE YOU CAN TRY. IT WENT 4 MPH FASTER THAN ANY 25 I TRIED.YOU CAN TRY EITHER PROP FOR ABOUT WEEK.

Thanks for the offer Zuperboat! I may need your fast 25 Mirage to keep up with you speed demons during Superfest.

I should have my Lab 26 before the 4th. The prop guys say that they should be able to gain me 150-200rpm and 1-2mph. I'm hoping to have the top speed of my 25 Mirage plus with the rough water performance of the 4 blade.

ZZ, we still have not seen any pictures of your boat or tripps boat.

IM GOING TO BUY A DISK FOR MY MEMORY CHIP TO GET THE PICTURES INTO MY COMPUTER THIS WEEK. ONCE IN THE PICTURES WILL BE ON THE BOARD. AS FOR SPEED DEMONS IM BRINGING MY WIFE AND DAUGHTER THIS YEAR SO 50 IS THE NUMBER FOR ME. BUT THERES ALWAYS TIME FOR A QUICK BLAST. I STILL HAVE NOT PULLED THE BOAT TO PUT THE FLAGS ON YET.

Hey Dave,
I got into a knock down drag out race with a friend of mine from work last night. He has a 23' Velocity with a 454mag. He has me beat in calm water but not in the rough. I will say that you are totally on about the 3 blade. To stay out in front, I had to run with my tabs up. The boat not only chine walks more with my 3 blade, it also seems to heal over to port. Good thing the 24' Superboat is such a good off shore hull, I had been talking **** all Spring. I should have my 4 blade back for the weekend. Hoping for the same speed with more stability. Next time I want to really kick ass.

My labbed 26p goes on tomorrow. The prop guys gave me a great deal, $150 cash... We'll see if it helped or hurt???

Lab talk
 

Just Curious Pat, How did the Prop work out for you? I'm thinking about making a switch also. I have a 3 blade mirage plus which turns 4900, but i chine walk like crazy...

What a weekend !!

Hi Shawn,

Dave M. has the same boat as you. A 24' stepped hull with a 454mag. He runs a 26p Bravo I. Dave will be happy to confirm his numbers for you, but I remember him saying about 74mph at 5000rpm vs 75 at 5100 with at Mirage +. The 4blade is more much stable.

As for my boat, the difference does not seem to be as dramatic as Dave has described with his boat. Could be a couple of things. As you know, my boat is a straight V with no steps. I also only have a 310HP 7.4MPI. My boat runs 67mph under the best conditions. I ran my newly labbed 4 blade prop this weekend. I did gain 100rpm over stock but I'm not sure if I gained any speed. My wife gets a little pissed if I push it too much. The 4 blade is definitely better in rough water.

Shawn, In my opinion the 4 blade is the way to go especially on your boat with the stepped hull and speeds over 70. If you are running a 25p Mirage +, then buy a 26p Bravo I. The $$ are well worth the improvements.

Labbed Props.
 

Well add me to the list of people that should have left a stock prop alone.
Went for a ride last night and checked the numbers on my newly modified 26p Bravo I.
63.8mph on the GPS going north, 64.5 heading south. My engine revs about 100rpm higher but my speed is the same, maybe even slower. Seems like I have to trim the drive farther to free up the boat.
I'll bring it back for another try, but I probably should have spent my money on a 24p.

Hey Patrick,

Sorry the lab job didn't work out. The heat and humidity could have you down a little too. My last few outings I have been down a few rpms and mph do the the hot and humid air.