Re proping my bravo 3???

[derekpfeiffer]

So i've been thinking about doing this for over a year now and really wanting to pull the trigger now...This summer we'd like to run to omaha more and thought it'd be nice to go from my 26p prop set to a 28p on the day's we're wanting to run up there since I wouldn't be doing any water sports then. Guess my major thought is I'm hoping to be able to run a good speed yet at lower rpms...not really concerned about fuel consumption but more so engine life. My boat is a 22.5' open bow and the specs say it weighs right about 3500 but I'm pretty sure that's dry weight and without the larger motor (350 mag) and the larger drive (bravo 3) or the captains call, subs, and extra battery and such. Right now at WOT i'm right around 5k and the reading i've done the WOT for a 350 mag is from 4600-5000 everyone I've talked to have said its worth a shot esspecially since I found a set in excellent shape I could get for round 400 delivered.

Thought I'd see what everyone on here thought about it??

Thanks for any advice everyone!!!!

[John P]

Spend the money we need to turn the economy around.:mrgreen:

[derekpfeiffer]

Spend the money we need to turn the economy around.:mrgreen:

LOL I've been trying buddy! ;) Get your new trim tabs installed yet??

[John P]

Should be here Friday, I think I'll have enough time to install them before its warm enough to boat the way it looks.:roll:

[LA69MM]

So i've been thinking about doing this for over a year now and really wanting to pull the trigger now...This summer we'd like to run to omaha more and thought it'd be nice to go from my 26p prop set to a 28p on the day's we're wanting to run up there since I wouldn't be doing any water sports then. Guess my major thought is I'm hoping to be able to run a good speed yet at lower rpms...not really concerned about fuel consumption but more so engine life. My boat is a 22.5' open bow and the specs say it weighs right about 3500 but I'm pretty sure that's dry weight and without the larger motor (350 mag) and the larger drive (bravo 3) or the captains call, subs, and extra battery and such. Right now at WOT i'm right around 5k and the reading i've done the WOT for a 350 mag is from 4600-5000 everyone I've talked to have said its worth a shot esspecially since I found a set in excellent shape I could get for round 400 delivered.

Thought I'd see what everyone on here thought about it??

Thanks for any advice everyone!!!!

It sounds like you're propped perfectly right now. The thing about the small blocks is they need to wind up near the top of their RPM band to make full HP. There is no difference in HP output between the 5.7L (250hp) and 350 mag (300hp) until you get above the 4,800 RPM that the 5.7L maxes out at. Small blocks don't mind the RPMs and really, running them at lower RPM's at top speed means you're running at lower RPM's all thru the powerband so you may be lugging the engine more which is worse than the RPM's. Think of it like driving 20mph in a car in 4th gear.

I've had my Bravo III props tweaked and you can get that done for $100 a wheel including polishing if you like that look. You could just go up a tad in pitch on them if you want to come down a tad in RPM's but I wouldn't drop 400 RPM on your boat.

[Griff]

Running lower rpms with the 28" props has the same effect on the engine as spinning the 26's a few hundred rpms faster. The 28's load the engine more. Its like going up a hill in a truck. The 28's make it seem like a steeper hill to the engine. Just because you are turning less rpm does not mean the engine is not working just as hard. Besides, a 2" increase in pitch will only gain you about 2-3mph at 3500rpms.

[eddie]

I'd leave it alone, Larson knows what they are doing when they set up a boat. You will need a large wrench to get the back prop off too. More of a PIA than it's worth.

[266CCR/Thumper]

You could also look for a set of 27pitch XR props, and the inner nut socket can be found on E-Bay

[derekpfeiffer]

I'm really not too worried about the socket or changing them...I can make a socket at work. And changing them only take a couple min. Hmmm now I don't know what to do!!!

[Griff]

You are propped exactly where it should be with the 26". I would leave it alone.

[yrkoski]

Don't do it!!
I have a 3500 lb 23' Rinker with 350 mag and bravo 3 drive. When I bought it it had 28 pitch props on it I went to 26's. Comes out of the hole MUCH better and still have the same top end. I don't think you'll gain any MPH going to 28's and you'll loose alot on the bottom probably costing you more in gas.[smilie=042.gif]

[derekpfeiffer]

Don't do it!!
I have a 3500 lb 23' Rinker with 350 mag and bravo 3 drive. When I bought it it had 28 pitch props on it I went to 26's. Comes out of the hole MUCH better and still have the same top end. I don't think you'll gain any MPH going to 28's and you'll loose alot on the bottom probably costing you more in gas.[smilie=042.gif]

Yeah thinking thats what I'm going to do...Thanks for the input everyone...Pry gona upgrade boats before long anyway to a big block so hate to spend to much on this one meanwhile anyways....Thanks again!!!