Which of these props should I start with?

[jmg944t]

I am re-rigging my Viper with a 150 Merc.

I have been buying props to try and I think I have them all (except maybe a 28p chopper)

The boat has (will have) a: 2 1/2" Bob's convertible jackplate, shaft 1 1/2" below pad to start.
Nosecone
dual cable NFB
solid mounts

Please let me know where I should start testing these props, I want one for light loads-top speed, and one for trying to kill someone on a tube- 4 people speed.:D

Here are the props:
24P inline chopper
26P 4 blade Ron Hill Yammi drag copy
28P Ron Hill ET copy
30P 14 1/2d Merc cleaver thinned and worked by SS props
32P 15d Mach cleaver

I'll end up trying them all but if anyone has some good suggestions as to which I should play with first/more I would appreciate it. I am hoping to see 80+ with light loads and 70 with 3-4 people.

I want to end up with 2 and sell the rest before my fiancee kills me:mad:

I can't wait to get this thing finished and post some pictures. It is really starting to look great.

PS where can I get a weld on torque tab?

[Scream And Fly]

V6? 2:1 case?

[jmg944t]

OOPS!
Yes, V6 2:1 case

[Scream And Fly]

If it were my boat, I would try the 30P Merc cleaver first (with a light load). Get that propshaft .5" above the pad to start and work your way up. Make sure the engine has solid mounts (a must). You can get the weld-on torquetab from Bob's Machine (last I knew).

Greg

[jmg944t]

I forgot to mention the solid mounts.

1/2" ABOVE! How high will I end up?

[Scream And Fly]

I believe Ronnie was running 5.5 inches of setback, and nobody had their Viper dialed in like him.

It's hard to tell from this photo, but this may give you an idea of where my engine height is - propshaft about 2 inches above the pad at 5.5 inches of setback. Yours will be less, since you're running less setback, but my suggestion is just a basic starting point.

Greg

http://img470.imageshack.us/img470/5259/trailer3rc.jpg

[vector mike]

I ran my Viper with the propshaft even with the pad with 3" of setback. I had a 200 with a 2:1 LU on it but still the same weight as yours. Definately go with the cleaver. I tried a few on mine and the cleavers work the best. That is all I run on my Vector now.

[vector mike]

What does it say on the back of your transom?

[chris_lacey]

"Display Only" :D

[vector mike]

I get it now. :rolleyes: I tried to read it as that and no way was that what it says. But after the brain fart went away I realized it was a joke. What's the matter Greg doesn't it ever see the water? ;)

[Scream And Fly]

LOL, actually it says "Designer Image", which was the name of my friend's shop in NY. He made some decals I have on my engine cowl.

Greg

[jmg944t]

Cleaver all the time or just for light loads?

[vector mike]

The only time I don't use it is when I pull skiers and knee boarders. I almost always have 3 people aboard with the rest of the boat filled with lawn chairs, coolers, grill and toys. My son loads it up whenever we go out. :rolleyes: The cleaver works just fine jumping on plane and hauling butt.(as much as I can without getting yelled at):eek:

[barr151]

you should follow gregs instructions. he has had that boat riding like it was on rails. crap, it was. on the trailer from new york to florida. i have a buddy that has one and he is running a 28 big ear chopper style. he has a 2.5 200 with the small xr4 gear case. he is seeing mid 80's. the boat is gutted and with only him in it. i think he has 6 to 8 inches in set back.

ps. just pickin on greg.

[vector mike]

The only problem with Choppers especially big ear Choppers is they create a lot of bow lift which is the last thing you want on a Viper. I've seen so many of the Vipers and Vectors with the bow all stuck up in the air when they're hauling butt. All your doing is asking for trouble. These boats need stern lift and very little bow lift. They are almost like a tunnel and get they're best speed and handling ridding flat with little bow lift. Go to the races and you'll see who is getting to the other end first with the best handling. It's the ones that are riding almost flat not the ones with the bow pointing towards the sky. See which one is on Greg's boat too.

[graemers]

cleavers only work good with those boats if they're powered with a lot of horsepower right? Drop down in HP and you need bow lift, no?

[1BadAction]

30 cleaver.

[vector mike]

I really can't see where HP has anything to do with how the hull rides. Unless the weight of the motor comes into play. I would think that 60mph with a V4 or a V6 is still 60mph. The hull is still going to ride the same way. I'm sure someone will correct me if they think I'm wrong. :p ;)

[graemers]

I was told that a cleaver with not enough power won't lift the transom. Like a paddle wheel pushing the transom up. in my situation I have to use the properties of the hull to acheive lift instead of the prop ie. get the bow lift. I haven't tried a cleaver yet. I'm probaly wrong. This is only what Ive heard, not what I know. HOw do you know unless you try it huh?:)

[David]

Anthony SS got pretty good speed out of his Vision w/150 with a cleaver.

Cleaver, small ear chopper, something without too much lift for a small boat, Viper or Vision.

[jmg944t]

Ok so cleaver it is.

What are the charactaristics of the Yammi Drag or Merc ET? As in Choppers lift bow, cleavers lift stern....
ET's __________ (phone home:) )
Yammi drags________________

Which one will be my 4 people/skiing prop?

choices
24P inline chopper
26P 4 blade Ron Hill Yammi drag copy
28P Ron Hill ET copy

[graemers]

that 26 4 blade yammie would pull hard, maybe try a thru-hub for pulling people?

[vector mike]

I tried the ET cut chopper and didn't like it. I have a 26 small ear chopper on the way which is going to be my drag/pulling prop.(2:1 gearcase) I'm thinking about getting in to the drag racing thing if I can talk the wifie into it. :eek: :rolleyes:

[graemers]

What didn't you like about the ET?

[vector mike]

Didn't like the way it felt when haulin'. It however did seem to hold better in the rough water.