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Someone prop me up!!

5

502GTX

Active member
I have a 251 Convincor GTX with a 502 and Bravo drive. Has a Holley 750, Merlin intake, stainless risers, otherwise appears to be a stock rebuild. I currently have a 24p Hydromotive 4 blade installed and quite dinged up by the prior owner. I'm getting 65 MPh on GPS at 4900 RPM with a full load of gas, 500 lbs of human weight, anchors cooler etc. This was on dead calm water. Seeing as how I'm spending a lot of money on other venrtures at the moment I have been rather neglectful as to the prop on my boat. I never meant to let it go this long though. I'm starting to think it's time to either fix the one I have or change it though so I'm gonna ask you guys what you think. Am I wasting money to fix the Hydromotive? If so what should I try next? Thanks in advance.
 
The boat is going to run slower on smooth water. It likes a good 1-2 foot off chop and trim. If your happy with your rpms clean up what you have or try a bravo 4 blade
 
Big Red said:
The boat is going to run slower on smooth water. It likes a good 1-2 foot off chop and trim. If your happy with your rpms clean up what you have or try a bravo 4 blade
Click to expand...

That's what I was thinking too, as far as the smooth water. I swear I can feel it sticking at lower speeds. Just a bit of wind and the boat feels a lot better. Thanks for the advice.
 
I would try a 23p revolution 4 (turns like a 24p in real life) or a worked 24 bravo for more bow lift. without having a prop that wants to carry the bow the boat will always feel "stuck" to the water.
 
ross said:
what HP is the motor?
Click to expand...

I really have no idea. The motor was built 2 owners prior to me. Last owner didn't have the specs on it, just that it had about 80 hrs. I've put abot 20 more on it so it's still pretty tight. I'm assuming it has little, if any more than OEM.
 
502GTX said:
I really have no idea. The motor was built 2 owners prior to me. Last owner didn't have the specs on it, just that it had about 80 hrs. I've put abot 20 more on it so it's still pretty tight. I'm assuming it has little, if any more than OEM.
Click to expand...

I would not try anything smaller than a 24, you are already turning 4900 on smooth water. If you lab a 24,, 4 blade it will spin the rpms as a stock 22 rule of thumb. If anything take a 26 and have it worked and spin the rpms of a 24
 
Sorry for highjacking but I have whats probably a really stupid question. What are the noticable benefits of the 4 blade props? I've never tried one yet. The only props I've run on the eluder or 251 were always mirages or mirage plus. Im sure they dont blow out as fast, but what do you sacrifice in top end?
 
A well matched 4 blade prop should not loose any top end speed over a mirage. Benefits are much better handling, higher cruise speeds, and quicker planing. In my mind a Convincor is too heavy for a 3 blade but some wit the lower X dimensions tolerate and perform well with them.
 
after running several props on my 251, I would say try a bravo 1 22p see if you get the rpm 5200-5300, a mirage + will run 1-2 mph faster on top end, but not a smooth or as good mid-range as the bravo 1, the hydro motive is a decent in between the bravo and the mirage +
 
Thanks guys for all of your input and for sharing your knowledge. I really felt as though I had no baseline to start with, seeing how the prop I have now is in such bad shape. If it was in good shape I could at least tell whether it was a good prop or not for my application. It sounds like there are much better choices out there.
 
Bravo I's seem to work really well on a 251. A Rev 4 would also work and carry the bow better than the bravo. Mirages are good for top speed but are inefficient at cruising. I would stick with one of the 4 blade props.

Check out this thread for some more info and comparison:
http://checkmate-boats.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=24318

Hydromotive now makes 3 versions of the Quad IV. One similar to a Bravo I, one similar to a Rev 4, and one that is a cleaver style for surfacing/high x-dims.
 
If you are turning 4900 rpms with a Hydromotive QIV Intimidator, my recommendation would be to order a 26 Bravo 1 Lab finish with extra cup added from Mercury. Of course I would want to know the RPM number of a stock 26 p Bravo 1 first on your boat.

Jeff
 
Resurrecting an old thread

Just for an FYI, 502 GTX's boat was mine. I put that 502 in it back in 2004/2005.
It was a new GM HO 502/435hp. One of the last to be manufactured in Tonawanda, NY.

Anyway, what did you (502GTX) end up doing for prop? And with what results?
Probably going to need to do something with my new Convincor and not sure if the Hydromotive is still liked or might I like a Bravo1 better.
 
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