Lavey 300 xs prop selection

[frankthetank]

Any advice on a baseline prop for my boat? 1994 Lavey Sebring 20.8' tunnel V bottom. 300 xs, 1.62 sporty lower, hyd jack plate. I am intersted in a prop with good holeshot and midrange. I was thinking vented Bravo or one of the new Pro ET's, either in a 26-28 pitch?

Thanks for any help

[sms]

Frank,
I also have a Sebring 20.8.
I know it can handle big weight at the rear so the 300 will be fine. I think you are in unchartered water though as I have not seen one with a 300, but maybe someone who knows them from the Mod VP racing days will have some good advice. Try calling Lavey, or try Thom at Hydromotive in Ohio. He tried some different props on my Bridgeport powered Sebring and we found that the typical jacked way up chopper plan from the STV guys slipped too much, and he had a vented thru hub that was an excellent choice. It had great mid range, slip was a super low 8%, and it rode like a dream. Thom said the best vp tunnel hull ride he's seen, and he's been in a LOT of boats. Will trade in props with you until you get it just right.
I sure want to hear more about your 300 XS on this boat!

Thanks,

Bill

[frankthetank]

Thanks for the feedback, Bill. I will call hydromotive and ask. I have been looking for someone on the West Coast but have not had much luck. My motor comes in on Thursday from Jaco's and I want to have a prop to try. Is your Lavey the wild one with two motors?

[300x Stoker]

A good starting point would be to try a 26 Bravo. You should be able to plane off with no vent holes. With the right sized vent holes you could pull skiers with it. I'd say you'll need at least a 28 to keep it off the limiter on the top end?

Can't wait to hear how it handles with the 300???

[SFL STREAM]

frankthetank, i have recently heard a few guys running the 300xs on some small 18' actions, and just crushing the rev limiter, i recomend a 30+ lightening et they make both the 3 and 4 blade over the hub style. I run the prop on a Hydrostream Venom and the holeshot is incredible, and still runs great top-end

[frankthetank]

Thanks for the input. I will try to find a 26 bravo and get a baseline in. I was worried that without the holes it would be a dog out of the hole, but even if it is I should get an idea on the top end. That new pro et prop looks intense. That will be the prop I buy for the speed side. I'll let you all know how it runs when I get the motor. I can't wait...

[drasticplastic]

If you go with a BRAVO you will want the vent holes (aprox. 1/2") or it will be a dog out of the hole. I have a 2006 250XS on a 21' Liberator and it needed the holes real bad. you will love that new motor on your Lavey, it has the power to push that heavy(well built) hull. I just got a new DRAG 4 30" for mine and I'm going to test it this Thurs. if the weather is good.

[boater454]

I Have 1992 20.8 That I'm the original owner of. It has a 454 and Bravo 1 now but I thought that I might repower with a 300xs so I'm excited to see how yours runs. You should try talking to Chris at Lavey. he used to run quite a few different outboard setups on different hulls. Good luck to you.

Andy
http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x212/ascoles793/Lavey-side.jpg

[Liqui-Fly]

I don't own a Lvey but I do own a BIG pointy nose tunnel V. I have tried endless props and have to recommend a Performance Propeller Performer 3 for this set-up. It is a larger blade chopper (15" diameter). You get stuck with these big boats because the regular choppers won't carry high and the stern drive and thru hub props have to be set too deep. This larger diameter chopper lets you run the motors sky high but still get out of the hole and pull really strong.

www.performanceprops.com

[frankthetank]

I'll look up Chris. I went by there a few weeks ago and they gave me some new Lavey decals for my boat, no charge. Good people.

I read here somewhere that these boats were designed for the Johnson v8, so that may give me an idea of the speeds attainable with big single. When I went there I was still on the fence about the motor.

Liqui-fly, did you try a vented Bravo? Thanks for the advice. Does your boat have a flat padin the center rear as well?

Motor is here and it looks sharp...damn thing is tall !!!

If all goes well, Ill be breaking it in next week !!!:)

[Liqui-Fly]

The only things we have in common are that it is a big single engine tunnel. If you want to go fast, you have to surface your gearcase and propeller....there are no ifs butts or ands about it. The only thing venting a Bravo does is help you get on plane, after that, it is just the wrong prop for the application. Get it set up, run a few props for numbers and call Perf. Prop.

[300x Stoker]

The Bravo can be run as high as any prop I tried. (which include a Merc lab chopper 2 and my favorite,, a Drag 5 with Tillman mods). I never tried the Performer though. I heard it's a great prop too.

[boater454]

how's it going? have you gotten any numbers yet?

[sms]

Ha!
I was just doing a search to see if he's posted any results yet when this popped up.

Thanks 454, great minds think alike.

[cocacola]

different subject, but similar boat.

what's a good skiing prop for this boat?

mine is a 20.2 with 2.5 200 carb

[150aintenuff]

i just did a laser 2.4 setup on anothe sebring and the best we used was an un molested 28 big ear 81.3 mph with a 2.0 gear at 6200 rpm.. thats only 4.5% slip if ya figure it as a true 28... but it may be a bit more than stamped...