Starliner w/ G2 250HO Performance Report

[Sam I am]

I was able to get the boat out today and do a little prop testing. I had had it out previously with friends and got a high of 57 gps out of it with 6 big folks in the boat. Today, I was by myself, same prop, about 16" of chop. So, I ran it down wind, the jackplate right in the middle at 3" on the tape and went for broke. I got 69 gps. That was with a 24P Bravo I FS. I was at 6000 rpm, perhaps a shade over. Extremely stable ride unless the trim is maxed. This hull feels so light and floaty...I can't wait to get someone with a camera out there to take pics of me with this thing aired out. There can't be more than 6" of boat in the water...at least that's what it feels like. Even then it's a cinch to drive compared to a Pulsare.

So, I pulled the boat out to swap props to the 26P RX4. I figured it was going to be 75+ easy...but I never got to find out. The marina I ordered my G2 hub kit through blew it and sent me a G1 Hub kit...even though it was marked that I had ordered a G2 on the invoice in the box. DAMN IT!!!!

So...more numbers to come.

This motor is a BEAST! So smooth and an absolute rocket ship when dropping the hammer. Evinrude advertises ZERO break in and no maintenance for the first 5 years. So far, I'm overjoyed with the motor. It's visually stunning and performance wise, a jaw dropper. Purchase with confidence!!!

EDIT: DAMN IT!!! I'M THE IDIOT, NOT THE MARINA...I was sent the correct part. At least I didn't buy that part from the guy who rigged the motor (only because I forgot to order it with my props)...I don't think I could have lived with myself. Heads up: the TBX Hub looks similar to Flo-torq, but they're not really similar. On the TBX, the torsion bushing can fit it both ways. Also, the torsion bushing and the drive spline fit together from opposite ends of the prop. I was of course, franticly looking for directions included in the information sheet within the part box. Nope, wrong again...the directions were on the back of the box. I've said it before and I'll say it again: I'm the king of doing stuff twice. Words can't express how disappointed I am in myself right now. Damn it.

 

[jaja]

Sam, this is one nice piece. I admire you for doing this restoration. Can you send me your contact info to modonne7@ aol.com, thx

 

[Chellems]

Sam you made my day

I was able to get the boat out today and do a little prop testing. I had had it out previously with friends and got a high of 57 gps out of it with 6 big folks in the boat. Today, I was by myself, same prop, about 16" of chop. So, I ran it down wind, the jackplate right in the middle at 3" on the tape and went for broke. I got 69 gps. That was with a 24P Bravo I FS. I was at 6000 rpm, perhaps a shade over. Extremely stable ride unless the trim is maxed. This hull feels so light and floaty...I can't wait to get someone with a camera out there to take pics of me with this thing aired out. There can't be more than 6" of boat in the water...at least that's what it feels like. Even then it's a cinch to drive compared to a Pulsare.

So, I pulled the boat out to swap props to the 26P RX4. I figured it was going to be 75+ easy...but I never got to find out. The marina I ordered my G2 hub kit through blew it and sent me a G1 Hub kit...even though it was marked that I had ordered a G2 on the invoice in the box. DAMN IT!!!!

So...more numbers to come.

This motor is a BEAST! So smooth and an absolute rocket ship when dropping the hammer. Evinrude advertises ZERO break in and no maintenance for the first 5 years. So far, I'm overjoyed with the motor. It's visually stunning and performance wise, a jaw dropper. Purchase with confidence!!!

EDIT: DAMN IT!!! I'M THE IDIOT, NOT THE MARINA...I was sent the correct part. At least I didn't buy that part from the guy who rigged the motor (only because I forgot to order it with my props)...I don't think I could have lived with myself. Heads up: the TBX Hub looks similar to Flo-torq, but they're not really similar. On the TBX, the torsion bushing can fit it both ways. Also, the torsion bushing and the drive spline fit together from opposite ends of the prop. I was of course, franticly looking for directions included in the information sheet within the part box. Nope, wrong again...the directions were on the back of the box. I've said it before and I'll say it again: I'm the king of doing stuff twice. Words can't express how disappointed I am in myself right now. Damn it.

We have a 25' Pontoon With 175 HP Johnson and needed a new prop so I ordered a Michigan 4 Blade SS and thought I could use the hub from the 3 Blade Aluminum. Nope would not fit. So I ordered a new hub kit. Went to instal and the prop would not go properly. Hmm bought the boat used perhaps the shaft had been replaced??? Nope! I ordered a hub kit for a Yamaha!
Never said I was the brightest candle on the cake!
So between the two of us we will keep the Marine business afloat!

 

[Sam I am]

Need to have a couple other things done before I really try and jack the motor to the moon. First thing is get the water pressure gauge working. I need to order a part, have it installed, and then the tech needs to log into the motor and let the computer know the water pressure gauge part is there and to send the signal to the gauge. The whole thing is fly by wire. Once I get that done, I'll be a lot more confident in finding the top end of this thing.

 

[Mark]

Once I get that done, I'll be a lot more confident in finding the top end of this thing.

Makes sense but you won't have any trouble with water pressure. You have lower water picks ups on the nose. My G1 did not but had the extra wide scoops on the side and I was able to run up to 1" below pad w/o any loss of water pressure.

I am glad you are enjoying the rocketship and would think 75 is in the cards.

 

[atc250r]

With a nice dry, fresh hull there may be more than 75 in the cards. My all original, probably somewhat wet Liner went 75 with a 99 Merc EFI 250 on it. I found jacking it much over 3 inches below would not give the prop enough bite to carry the bow.

 

[DropTop5.0]

Sam, congrats on your beautiful boat. It is just stunning.

 

[NoNotMe]

IMO the pressure gauge is the most important one.

 

[Sam I am]

Update: 26P RX4

Well....first impressions: for $700 I was expecting more. BUT, the water was rough and I need to get my GPS speedo up. The phone is okay, but not as a feedback tool for trying to dial in trim and jackplate while driving. I lost 500 RPM while only gaining 2 mph for max speed 71. I suspect I was over trimmed, and I had my hands full skipping the wave tops.

I ordered a 28P Bravo I XS...I expect that will perform better than the RX4...we'll see.

Here's some vids...

 

[Chellems]

Have you thought about the ProMax?

Well....first impressions: for $700 I was expecting more. BUT, the water was rough and I need to get my GPS speedo up. The phone is okay, but not as a feedback tool for trying to dial in trim and jackplate while driving. I lost 500 RPM while only gaining 2 mph for max speed 71. I suspect I was over trimmed, and I had my hands full skipping the wave tops.

I ordered a 28P Bravo I XS...I expect that will perform better than the RX4...we'll see.

Here's some vids...

I always wanted to try the Merc Pro Max but I have been told I would throw a blade due the HP. I have always wanted to try one. It is made with the same SS Alloy as the Pro ET. At 14.5" DIA I would expect your RPM's to come back up. Best slip number I have gotten with the 4 Bravo 1 props I had was 13%. I would expect better slip numbers for your new toy and set up.

 

[atc250r]

The ProMax is a great prop but its definitely more prone to crack, losing a blade, or a piece of a blade than something like a Bravo or Trophy. That's the problem with going to a ultra high performance prop, you give up longevity for a little more performance.

 

[Chellems]

The ProMax is a great prop but its definitely more prone to crack, losing a blade, or a piece of a blade than something like a Bravo or Trophy. That's the problem with going to a ultra high performance prop, you give up longevity for a little more performance.

I would not expect a 250HP Outboard to throw a blade but I am not a prop expert. I am tempted to buy one and try it.

 

[corey331]

I would not expect a 250HP Outboard to throw a blade but I am not a prop expert. I am tempted to buy one and try it.

I'm guessing with an outboard its more the rpm's (8000-9000+) that's killing the props and not so much the power.

 

[illMATTic]

So after looking at the RX4 props, Its advertised as a rough water and traction prop. The blades are huge! No wonder you dropped 500 rpm.

That Bravo 1 xs is not the right prop either. Its too large. You have a light boat compared to most boats today. You don't need 15"+ diameter.

Both of these props (from what I have read) are designed to carry heavy loads with big HP. Not rocket through he water with a light load.

 

[illMATTic]

When I had my Flite, I ran a $200 Turbo 2+2 prop. With the 25P I got 74 mph touching the limiter running the Merc 3.0 225. AND I could hop out of the water still with a full load.

Might be worth looking into one of those props considering the coin you just dropped on what you have now.

 

[ForbesZ]

I'm guessing with an outboard its more the rpm's (8000-9000+) that's killing the props and not so much the power.

It's usually the surfacing of the props that's causes blade damage on the outboards. To make outboard boats run quicker we run the motors high on the transom jack so that the top third of each blade of the propeller is piercing the surface of the water all the time. This puts a lot of stress on the blades as they exit the water briefly (no load) and then submerge again (full load) 50 to 60 times per second at WOT. Add to that the occasional jumping out of the water without backing off on the throttle and you can imagine what those thin little blades have to deal with since the weight of water and air are so vastly different. Round-ear blades have it worse than cleaver-type ears because there's more metal grabbing and releasing water at the ends of the blades.

 

[Chellems]

Sam have you called Scott Reichow at Mercury Racing? I called and spoke to him a and he recommended the Bravo 1 FS for my Stiletto. The prop was a dud with a 21% slip number. He contacted the local dealer and they gave me a full refund ($800).
He is very bright and helpful. My nephew added a Pro ET to his Hydrostream and the boat just flew. They say the Pro Max is even better.

 

[ForbesZ]

So after looking at the RX4 props, Its advertised as a rough water and traction prop. The blades are huge! No wonder you dropped 500 rpm.

That Bravo 1 xs is not the right prop either. Its too large. You have a light boat compared to most boats today. You don't need 15"+ diameter.

Both of these props (from what I have read) are designed to carry heavy loads with big HP. Not rocket through he water with a light load.

I was told by Top Gun Marine that the Bravo 1 xs works extremely well on light boats that have a transom jack. They have recommended that I try one on my boat in fact. With a transom jack the motor can be raised up so the prop is only about two thirds submerged while on plane. At that point the larger diameter actually helps increase speed because it lets you get more of the lower unit out of the water (less parasitic drag) while keeping the prop slip low. With a smaller diameter prop you can only raise the motor so much before the slip increases to the point that you begin losing speed.

But otherwise I would tend to agree that the Bravo 1 xs would not be a great choice if the boat isn't able to surface the prop.

 

[ForbesZ]

Sam have you called Scott Reichow at Mercury Racing? I called and spoke to him a and he recommended the Bravo 1 FS for my Stiletto. The prop was a dud with a 21% slip number. He contacted the local dealer and they gave me a full refund ($800).
He is very bright and helpful. My nephew added a Pro ET to his Hydrostream and the boat just flew. They say the Pro Max is even better.

I had a Pro ET on my Hydrostream - it flew when I had little weight in the boat but with two or three adults on board it had trouble carrying the weight. The Pro ET didn't seem to have that much bow lift so it couldn't carry the bow very well with two adults in the front seats.

 

[Mark]

So after looking at the RX4 props, Its advertised as a rough water and traction prop. The blades are huge! No wonder you dropped 500 rpm.

That Bravo 1 xs is not the right prop either. Its too large. You have a light boat compared to most boats today. You don't need 15"+ diameter.

Both of these props (from what I have read) are designed to carry heavy loads with big HP. Not rocket through he water with a light load.

You cannot compare propping Sam's motor to a small block Merc. These things have a huge gearcase and massive low end torque. A small diameter prop will blow out every time. They require a large prop like a RX4 or Bravo but then run at high engine heights to reduce drag and get full benefit out of the horsepower. My guess is that when he is dialed in for top speed he is going to be even with or above the pad.
I had a 250 G1 Etec and my fastest prop was a huge Rev4. A Trophy would blow out on mine. Of course in the end every rig is a little different and you never know what is going to work until you try it. The only other prop that worked worth a darn was a Fury and it was only 13 1/2" so go figure.