• Mercury Racing Blog: FS Deck Boat

    I just got some great news from Mike Griffiths – our resident product integration expert. Mike has been helping me dial-in an assortment of props for various applications. Mike and I tested props with anglers during Mercury’s National Walleye Tournament in Fond du Lac earlier this summer. Mike claims he is not an outboard guy, but you would never know it. It didn’t take him long to transfer his sterndrive performance boat knowledge to enhance the set-up of an average outboard walleye rig.

    A number of anglers were smiling after reaping the benefits of Mike’s work on their boats. Mike provided input on weight distribution, engine height, trim tab positions and of course, props. The Bravo One XS was the star wheel for Optis; the Pro Finish Bravo I FS was more often than not the wheel of choice for Pro Verado folks.

    The Pro Finish Bravo I FS propeller

    As much fun as Mike had with the outboards, his first love is big block sterndrives. He recently did some testing with various West Coast boat builders. With the recent outboard props at his disposal – he thought why not try one with a sterndrive. The boat was a 29-foot Nordic Deck Boat with 565 power.

    Mike began his test with a stock 26″ Bravo I prop on a Bravo One XR drive. The 565 turned 5380 – 5400 RPM @ 69.5 mph. Mike then grabbed one of his test props for a spin. The 27″ Bravo I FS turned 5450 RPM @ 74.8 mph; an incredible 5.3 mph speed gain! Mike is impressed – and it takes a lot to impress him. Nordic is equally impressed. I am too. It looks like Rick Mackie will be updating the Bravo I FS sell once again with a new title; Bravo I FS for Outboards…..and Sterndrives!

    Read the full blog post here >>
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