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350 Mag MPI, Bravo I best prop for MPH

4

40Coupe

Member
Let me know what you think. I'd like to see if I can hit 60 MPH with this boat.

2003 Caravelle 207 (open bow runabout)
20.5'
2900 lbs dry
350 Mercruiser MPI mag 5.7L 300 HP (100% stock)
Bravo 1 (1.5 ratio)

Props tried
Cheapo aluminum 4 blade Solas 14.25 x 19: 53.5 MPH @ 4900-5000 RPM
4 blade stainless 14 x 23: 50 MPH @ 4000-4200

Here are some props I'm considering in various 19 to 21 pitch 3 blade options.

Mirage Plus
Tempest Plus/Torrent
Laser II
Enertia

I've called several prop shops and getting a lot of recommendations but also was told by one shop to forget 60 MPH. I was told the engine doesn't have enough HP and won't turn enough RPM and that I should just drop a 383 mag in it. LOL
 
MPH seems a little low for a 20' boat with that combo. Not sure you will see 60 but here is what i see with my Caravelle 232 Interceptor. 3500# but it does have a pad bottom which yours won't and 20 more hp.
The boat has a 320 HP 6.2L Mercruiser with a 1.65 Bravo One drive. All speeds are GPS and rounded to the the nearest 1/2 mph as different runs gave different decimals as the condition changed. The results are as follows:

Props :------------------------ 22 Enertia-----------21 Vengeance------------21 Mirage (detuned 23)----23 Mirage---------23 Tempest

Holeshot---------------------- Very Good------------Excellent-------------------Very Good------------------Good--------------Very Good

3000 RPM ---------------------30 mph---------------31 mph--------------------33 mph--------------------34 mph--------------34 mph

4000 RPM----------------------43 mph---------------42.5 mph------------------44 mph -------------------45 mph--------------45 mph

RPM @ WOT-------------------5100------------------5200-----------------------5100 -----------------------4800-----------------4950

GPS speed WOT---------------=57.5---------------------58---------------------------60---------------------------60-------------------61


The Enertia does better on the 1.5 Bravo than 1.65 because it will spin it faster makes up for the small diameter. It is a favorite among the Interceptor crowd with 1.5 Bravos.
I am a little surprised how little difference there is between the props. Some have slightly better holeshot but really none are bad. I would go with whichever one you could get the best deal on. You might need to drop 2 pitch off what I am using.
In the end I sold all my props and use a 23 Mirage.
 
Thanks Mark. That's excellent information. How much performance difference is there between a V bottom runabout hull and a "pad bottom hull"? I know the interceptor is more of a performance oriented boat so I'm sure it's a faster boat but wanting to understand more.

I talked to Ken at PropGods and he seemed quite knowledgeable and suggested the 21 pitch Tempest Plus/Torrent prop. Another shop told me my stern is too heavy as the Tempest is a stern lifting prop. The more I talk to folks the more confused I get. I'm assuming I want as much of the hull out of the water as possible to achieve the fastest top speed?
 
I have a 23 Turning Point Speed Zone for sale in the classifieds forum. Runs comparable to a 23 Mirage Plus gets out of the hole a better though, has a 14-3/4" dia if I remember right.....it's basically brand new, hasn't been run much, I just have too many props.

I ran it on a 23' ZT230BR w/ 6.2 320hp.....I would think 60 would be pretty easy for you, considering bigger/heavier 232 Interceptors run close to that with similar power. ( I have a buddy who has one and he gets close to that with 300hp.)

-Craig
 
The pad is definitely good for another few mph. You can actually feel a pad bottom hull climb up on pad and speed up. The main thing in your situation is you are running crap props at the moment.
The 21 Tempest will work great as would any of the above. The Turning Pt that Craig has is also a great prop. My only concern would be I am not sure you could tun enough revs. You need to try a 23 and see what it does. If you are down under 4500 you are lugging the motor.
 
Where do you boat out of ?
I'll let you know if I want to sell my Tempest prop by the weekend.
Otherwise if you are close to me I could let you try it.
 
Mark said:
The pad is definitely good for another few mph. You can actually feel a pad bottom hull climb up on pad and speed up. The main thing in your situation is you are running crap props at the moment.
The 21 Tempest will work great as would any of the above. The Turning Pt that Craig has is also a great prop. My only concern would be I am not sure you could tun enough revs. You need to try a 23 and see what it does. If you are down under 4500 you are lugging the motor.
Click to expand...

I may try a Tempest 21.
 
Yes: "as much of the hull as possible out of the water". Install front open bow cover for less drag. Uninstall shoes or boots, pants, coat, passengers, fishing gear, extra or backup batteries, adult beverage coolers, mast light, paddles, ski gear, tool box, mooring ropes and buoys, transom tie downs, extra sunglasses and suntan lotion. Run non ethanol fuel and verify engine tune. No dirt, fuzz, bottom paint, or gravel rash on bottom of hull. She'll run a little faster on the salt vs fresh water. She'll run a little faster downwind on a rippled water surface vs dead calm glass smooth water. GPS, not vessels speedo. Does this boat sit in the water for extended periods. Does this boat sit in a covered area when not in use (just thinking about the possibility of a little unwanted ballast water) . The above might just be good for about six mph.
 
Craig said:
I have a 23 Turning Point Speed Zone for sale in the classifieds forum. Runs comparable to a 23 Mirage Plus gets out of the hole a better though, has a 14-3/4" dia if I remember right.....it's basically brand new, hasn't been run much, I just have too many props.

I ran it on a 23' ZT230BR w/ 6.2 320hp.....I would think 60 would be pretty easy for you, considering bigger/heavier 232 Interceptors run close to that with similar power. ( I have a buddy who has one and he gets close to that with 300hp.)

-Craig
Click to expand...

Thank you. I do not think it's strong enough to pull a 23.
 
Jimway said:
Yes: "as much of the hull as possible out of the water". Install front open bow cover for less drag. Uninstall shoes or boots, pants, coat, passengers, fishing gear, extra or backup batteries, adult beverage coolers, mast light, paddles, ski gear, tool box, mooring ropes and buoys, transom tie downs, extra sunglasses and suntan lotion. Run non ethanol fuel and verify engine tune. No dirt, fuzz, bottom paint, or gravel rash on bottom of hull. She'll run a little faster on the salt vs fresh water. She'll run a little faster downwind on a rippled water surface vs dead calm glass smooth water. GPS, not vessels speedo. Does this boat sit in the water for extended periods. Does this boat sit in a covered area when not in use (just thinking about the possibility of a little unwanted ballast water) . The above might just be good for about six mph.
Click to expand...

Thanks for all the tips. I do have a bow cover and will install it next time out.
 
Check your bottom with a 4-6 ft straight edge, looking for hook at the stern. builders some time add a little or it just happens in the mold over time. They build in hook to make the hull a little more predictable and stable in lessor hulls.
 
Yup. Like I said, any of these will work. They are all a little different though. The Tempest will probably be the faster but a bit harder to spin. It will have the most lift and get your hull out of the water.
The Enertia will be a rocket out of the hole and almost as fast. That's what I mean by wake up.
A Vengeance is an entry level SS prop (less expensive) that works surprisingly well on that combo.
I think a Mirage is too much blade area for your rig that is struggling a little on the top end.
Props are too expensive to buy new to try. Find them used on bassboatcentral or craigslist and resell them if they don't perform in your situation. Those are my thoughts.
 
It looks like I need to back it down to a 19 or 20 pitch or something like the Enertia that is a smaller diameter and turns easier. I didn't really care for how the Torrent (Tempest Plus) handled anyhow.
 
If you can get your hands on a 20p Enertia it might just do the trick. I have run them on different boats and been very impressed.
 
40Coupe said:
It looks like I need to back it down to a 19 or 20 pitch or something like the Enertia that is a smaller diameter and turns easier. I didn't really care for how the Torrent (Tempest Plus) handled anyhow.
Click to expand...

I can't put my finger on exactly what I don't like about the Tempest Plus. One thing for sure was that getting on plane was horrible. I think the back end felt loose also.
What didn't you like about the handling?
 
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