They are step bottom boats that blow the propellor out of the water alot easier and react totally different on a pad bottom boat.

True steps and pad hulls are different animals but - a 5 blade will still be less forgiving sense it slips less then a 4 blade regardless of the hull design. On a 26' boat this will not be as detrimental as it is on longer heavier boats.

I agree Rick.Are you ready to do some Carting

Agree with Revelocity here in that 5's are harder on the drive. They have less slip, more bite, and are less forgiving. Which is why they often shine on heavier less effecient hulls. A smaller, lighter boat will be a more tolerant set up than a larger, heavier one.

When the prop leaves the water and re-enters it has no idea of what hull design it is connected to, the drive damage results from the shock created by the prop taking bite again, and 5's just bite harder.

If you can think in terms of the water the prop is running in on a step bottom vs a pad bottom, the water comming off a step bottom is airated and not as clean or solid as the water comming off the pad bottom hull. The pad bottom would likely be harder on the drive, add in the more agressive bite of the 5 blade and it is a worse case for drive failure. Pad bottoms , such as the Velocity, have a tendency to skip across the water surface which results in a constant un-loading and re-loading of the drive, it is this that causes the damage, and the 5's just add to it. Sorry Hyper, but I think you've got this one a$$ backwards.

I dont know if I am just lucky or since I have Imcos there for I do not have drive failures.I do know that if you throttle the boat properly especially a 280,you should not have drive failures with the 5 blade props,it has been my experience that they perform and just all around are better than the 4 blades especially for top end performance. Try it and see if you like it,that will be the true test.
Peter,what do you want for your hot rod,just curious.

sorry but i don't agree we have had a lot more problems with drives on step bottom boats then stright v's or pads and the feeling is that the airated water is causing the prop to load and unload at a fast rate and taking out the drives we have broke them on fountains .hustlers and a few other step boats with less power then a standerd v or pad boat

Hyper what 5 blade are you running we have been able to get them to do better at everything but top speed and it seems that we give up a little speed but get great handling thoroughbred 28's boat is faster with the 32 4 blade then the 5 blade even with a high x

Changing to the Imco drive was a wise choice, they are much stronger than the bravos the boat had when you bought it.

If you are serious call me. I figured you would eventually come around and buy a Fountain.

Cant wait to here the final thoughs and what prop you go with even though wil be a while until you dip it as same for me o yea are u going to the LOTO shoot out Shore?

SS,

LOTO is too far for me. I MIGHT make it down to the Carolina Run this year, but even that is doubtful unless i can get a bunch of my buddies here to trailer their boats down as well. We've been playiing around with the idea.

I usually stick to the chesapeake bay though.