looking to prop for more speed

[king of my driveway]

I have a 2001 Howard Offshore 250 open bow cuddy with a 496 HO and a Bravo 1 drive with 1.5 gears. I'm currently running a 22p Bravo 1 SS prop. A few weeks ago, I was hitting about 62 MPH at 5000 rpm by myself with a light fuel load (1/4 tanks), 76 degrees out, and light wind and chop. Today, I was hitting 5100 rpm at about 60 with 15 mph wind, more chop, 70 degrees, 3/4 tanks, and two people. The max WOT rpm listed on the engine is 4600 to 5000, so I'm concerned about being at 5000 to 5100 rpms. I'd also like to get some more speed, if possible. All testing at Lake Piru (Elev 1043 ft).

I talked to a prop guy in Ventura who was talking about trying a stock 24p Bravo 1 and a labbed 24p. I don't know much about props and am concerned about the ruggedness and longevity of a labbed prop.

 

[Joey805]

The guy in Ventura, Brian at Valley Prop knows his stuff. It sounds like your RPM's are right where they need to be. I have been dealing with him for my boat/motor as well. I'm getting 56mph in a 21 Ultra with a 350 Mag MPI.

If you RPM's are right, I don't think you can really push it harder.

However, I'm no pro but Brian will get you dialed in.

 

[racinjason65]

. I don't know much about props and am concerned about the ruggedness and longevity of a labbed prop.[/QUOTE]


It all depends who does the "labbing" and what exactly they do to it. I now use Cutting Edge Props that he casts himself from virgin stainless steel and they are more durable than an out of the box Bravo 1. Give Greg a call at Cutting Edge and he will be happy to answer all your prop questions and can either lab your existing prop or build you a custom one for your hull and power from scratch.

Greg @ Cutting Edge (949) 701-0900

 

[CuttingEdgePropellers]

I have a 2001 Howard Offshore 250 open bow cuddy with a 496 HO and a Bravo 1 drive with 1.5 gears. I'm currently running a 22p Bravo 1 SS prop. A few weeks ago, I was hitting about 62 MPH at 5000 rpm by myself with a light fuel load (1/4 tanks), 76 degrees out, and light wind and chop. Today, I was hitting 5100 rpm at about 60 with 15 mph wind, more chop, 70 degrees, 3/4 tanks, and two people. The max WOT rpm listed on the engine is 4600 to 5000, so I'm concerned about being at 5000 to 5100 rpms. I'd also like to get some more speed, if possible. All testing at Lake Piru (Elev 1043 ft).

I talked to a prop guy in Ventura who was talking about trying a stock 24p Bravo 1 and a labbed 24p. I don't know much about props and am concerned about the ruggedness and longevity of a labbed prop.

Regarding the RPM range of that engine they like to run around 5000 to 5100 with the rev limiter engaging at 5250-5300 or so. If you were to lab that 22 with a tuning of an additional 100 RPM or so that may get you to where you want to be. However 22's are funny critters, they tend to be at the very lower level of efficiency and tend to have high slip rates. Hence, they don't make a 21 Bravo 1 four blade.... We could let you try a Cutting Edge Labbed 23 and that's where you may end up the most efficient. That 24 will be too big unless mid range speed is your goal.

 

[RiverDave]

. I don't know much about props and am concerned about the ruggedness and longevity of a labbed prop.

It all depends who does the "labbing" and what exactly they do to it. I now use Cutting Edge Props that he casts himself from virgin stainless steel and they are more durable than an out of the box Bravo 1. Give Greg a call at Cutting Edge and he will be happy to answer all your prop questions and can either lab your existing prop or build you a custom one for your hull and power from scratch.

Greg @ Cutting Edge (949) 701-0900[/QUOTE]

What is "virgin stainless?" I've been machining my whole life, and have been around investment casting and just about every manufacturing process on the planet at one time or another and I have never heard this term before..

RD