Mistress IV - The Conception

[Wildman78]

I've been a member for a number of years now but haven't been on much. I'm glad you bumped this thread so I could read threw the last 24 pages on the build. The boat is beautiful and its awesome to see the build of it. Enjoy it and thanks for the thread.

 

[Gimme Fuel]

As I have had an entire season to run my new girl I have also had the opportunity to test several different props. There seems to be a few new faces here with new 2400LD's or 24BRX's so this info may be of some help.
All speeds are GPS. Gear ratio 1.75 w/6" setback. All props tested with PVS system had holes plugged. All testing done with full tank of fuel minimal gear and driver only aboard.

The baseline was the 23p Tempest plus 73.5 @ 6500rpm - 2.5" below pad @ 9% slip. - Hole shot was terrible easy to blowout, midrange was anemic.

24p Bravo1 Labbed by Bblades (23.3 actual pitch) 71mph @ 6250rpm - 2.5" below pad @ 10% slip.
Great holeshot & midrange, top end suffered a bit. Will be converting to FS style.

24p Rev4 72mph @ 6250rpm - 3.25" below pad @ 11% slip.
Terrible hole shot easy to blowout, midrange was just ok top end was a bit better than the bravo.

23p Enertia ECO 70mph @ 6150rpm 3.25" below pad @ 9% slip.
Ok hole shot decent midrange, due to the large 16" dia. it did a good job of keeping the boat on top of the chop unlike the 23 tempest I tested.

24p Bravo FS (23.3 actual pitch) 72.5mph @ 6450rpm 2" below pad @ 11% slip. Excellent holeshot, midrange has great punch, overall ride quality best out of any prop tested. Seems to keep boat on top of chop very well with top end closest to the baseline tempest.

For squits and giggles you should try a old 24p Mach I Sterndriver. I have tried a couple now and are my favorite prop on my 253 as far as handling. aired out perfectely, no chine walk, and balances nice on the pad. No bow steer when crossing wakes or setting the boat back down in the water.

 

[ChuckB]

Thanks for sharing the prop testing.
I'm still using the 23p Tempest Plus 71mph @ 6400rpm and looking for another good prop for the reasons you mentioned.

I will keep a look out for the 24p Bravo FS or even the 24p Mach I.

 

[jjg]

For squits and giggles you should try a old 24p Mach I Sterndriver. I have tried a couple now and are my favorite prop on my 253 as far as handling. aired out perfectely, no chine walk, and balances nice on the pad. No bow steer when crossing wakes or setting the boat back down in the water.

Sounds like a good performing prop from what I can find for info. The propensity for losing blades is troubling though. It also seems like not many will work on them because of the welded blade design.
Also keep in mind my setup doesn't require a lot of stern lift as in a i/o application, one reason the diffuser ring is much shorter on the Bravo FS is to limit stern lift and reduce drag.

 

[jjg]

Thanks for sharing the prop testing.
I'm still using the 23p Tempest Plus 71mph @ 6400rpm and looking for another good prop for the reasons you mentioned.

I will keep a look out for the 24p Bravo FS or even the 24p Mach I.

Teague has the FS for $595 free shipping.

 

[Gimme Fuel]

Sounds like a good performing prop from what I can find for info. The propensity for losing blades is troubling though. It also seems like not many will work on them because of the welded blade design.
Also keep in mind my setup doesn't require a lot of stern lift as in a i/o application, one reason the diffuser ring is much shorter on the Bravo FS is to limit stern lift and reduce drag.

My 253 hates stern lift. My short barrel props are the best handling ones. My long barrel rev4 and bravo I handled like poo.

 

[jjg]

My 253 hates stern lift. My short barrel props are the best handling ones. My long barrel rev4 and bravo I handled like poo.

Rev 4 is too small of a dia for your HP I would think, I was able to break the one I tested loose at half throttle. When I get the std Bravo back from being converted to a FS you are welcome to try it.

 

[jjg]

Thanks for sharing the prop testing.
I'm still using the 23p Tempest Plus 71mph @ 6400rpm and looking for another good prop for the reasons you mentioned.

I will keep a look out for the 24p Bravo FS or even the 24p Mach I.

The boat had much more chine walk with the tempest as well. 3 blades generally dont like a high x dimension or surfacing applications. I noticed no walk at all with the FS. It also has nice bite in the turns & with that snappy midrange it makes it much more fun !!!

 

[Gimme Fuel]

Rev 4 is too small of a dia for your HP I would think, I was able to break the one I tested loose at half throttle. When I get the std Bravo back from being converted to a FS you are welcome to try it.

I may have to take you up on that! Naw, rev 4 doesnt blow out with as big as those ears are. The even smaller 14.5" machs hook up very well and i got 15% slip which i dont really get better than that. I think my nose coned drive allows the smaller dia to bite well. Loads the inner blades parts heavily. I actually want to try a mazco re4 chopper for kicks. Anything 3 bladed i blow out instantly. Even 27p mirage plus. Mine seems to have fairly high x dim.

 

[ChuckB]

Teague has the FS for $595 free shipping.

That's a good price and I'm assuming I could use my existing hub kit from the 23p Tempest Plus. I think I may get it!

 

[jjg]

I may have to take you up on that! Naw, rev 4 doesnt blow out with as big as those ears are. The even smaller 14.5" machs hook up very well and i got 15% slip which i dont really get better than that. I think my nose coned drive allows the smaller dia to bite well. Loads the inner blades parts heavily. I actually want to try a mazco re4 chopper for kicks. Anything 3 bladed i blow out instantly. Even 27p mirage plus. Mine seems to have fairly high x dim.

Must be the extra weight of the sterndrive that prevents the blowout. Plus I needed to reduce the x dim by 3/4" to even have a respectable hole shot or top end with the rev 4.

 

[jjg]

That's a good price and I'm assuming I could use my existing hub kit from the 23p Tempest Plus. I think I may get it!

Yep your hub kit will work. It ships direct from merc racing. About 2 weeks from when you place the order.

 

[ChuckB]

jjg, for the free shipping, did you have to enter a coupon code. The Teague custom marine web site was charging $44 for shipping when I was going to check out.

 

[jjg]

jjg, for the free shipping, did you have to enter a coupon code. The Teague custom marine web site was charging $44 for shipping when I was going to check out.

At the time there was a code I entered, dont see it now. Call them and see if they still have that offer.

 

[jjg]

Mistress IV.......Reloaded

I figured I would resurrect this thread so all info is in a common place. Here is a teaser for all of you. So Far the first images of a Check with a 400R, enjoy!
I should have some #'s in a day or whenever the monsoons go away.

 

[DropTop5.0]

That sure is a lot of motor!

 

[jjg]

That sure is a lot of motor!

"A lot" in this case is always more better !!!

Hey Chris btw your seats are waiting for you dont forget to leave room in the truck come rally time.

 

[RDAGlock]

Badass.

Who did the install? Any lessons learned?

 

[Hayabusa]

Congrats Jeff, niiiice

 

[jjg]

Surprisingly, the install was plug & play other than having to mount a now std remotely mounted water separating fuel filter it was straight forward. Smartcraft initialized with no issue and previous programmed config of the mulitfunction tach remained intact.