Getting my 1st 300R V8 this week.

[mach351]

Which Hydromotive did you try?

[mjw930]

You are mistaken, we tried several thru hub 4 blades (b-blades, hering, hydromotive of mine and Randy's merc. propellers). It took all of them to 6400 and slip numbers were all high. Grant has played with tons of stuff looking for a less expensive option that will last on the 400R and they either slip or throw a blade (not sure if its in the power delivery harmonics of just the 6 cylinder or if these might do the same). I think every boat will be different but the consensus on the twin engine cats is that it takes Hering, Merc. or Dewald 5 blade overhubs to please the 5.44 case.

Also remember that Brent had one of the first 400R motors and put it on his LCB. We tried everything that worked with the 3L case and none of it performed on that boat. Unfortunately, his frustration took a drivers seat on that rig and he pulled the 400 and went back to his X. It will be interesting to see how Errol and Troy end up now that we have the torque on hand with the 300R and better propeller options then what Brent was able to come up with at the time.

Joe

Fair enought, I wasn’t aware the BBlades and Hering were thru hubs. I wonder if it’s the number of blades or the diameter that’s the biggest issue? I also wonder what Merc is doing for this lower since the most of the other props in their catalog seem to not work?

[Double Rigged]

What are the props of choice for the XCats?

Dave Dewald does a lot them and I believe a few Herring props also.
From what I have watched and in talking with Dave most or all of the boats run thru-hub 5 blades.
Every boat will be different and require some time to dial things in.
On Jim’s 308 Skater pitch for pitch the 32P Dewald’s thru hubs were faster than the merc CNC’s by 2mph.
However the Merc’s got on plane better and had a better cruise speed but as speed went up the Dewald’s won out.

[JPEROG]

Fair enought, I wasn’t aware the BBlades and Hering were thru hubs. I wonder if it’s the number of blades or the diameter that’s the biggest issue? I also wonder what Merc is doing for this lower since the most of the other props in their catalog seem to not work?

Remember that this segment is a very small percentage of their operation. My guess is that like everything else-volume goes up, price will come down. There will also be all of the aftermarket guys doing the copy and chase deal.

The Hydromotive that I have is a 32 Quad 4 15", the Hering is a 32 15.25 with very small vent holes in it and a full 6" long barrel on it-neither of them have any flare. Like I said previously, my STV wouldn't turn the hering past 2K but with three of us in the boat the 300R jumped on plane like it was a pontoon wheel "I was really surprised when I experienced both of the results"-I actually didn't think that my STV would get that loaded by anything.

I am going to run that 5 blade cnc on my stv and see how it does compared to the 4 blade herring that like to run the most on it.

Joe

[mjw930]

Remember that this segment is a very small percentage of their operation. My guess is that like everything else-volume goes up, price will come down. There will also be all of the aftermarket guys doing the copy and chase deal.

The Hydromotive that I have is a 32 Quad 4 15", the Hering is a 32 15.25 with very small vent holes in it and a full 6" long barrel on it-neither of them have any flare. Like I said previously, my STV wouldn't turn the hering past 2K but with three of us in the boat the 300R jumped on plane like it was a pontoon wheel "I was really surprised when I experienced both of the results"-I actually didn't think that my STV would get that loaded by anything.

I am going to run that 5 blade cnc on my stv and see how it does compared to the 4 blade herring that like to run the most on it.

Joe

Good deal, sounds like you have a plan. I’ve been weighing the idea of repowering and it’s good to know I’ll need to budget a few thousand extra dollars for props if I decide to go that route. Looks like the days of throwing an $800 prop on and running strong may be history, at least until the volumes come up and the aftermarket (and Merc) catch up.

[Spinelli Propellers]

OK, here's the results. This lake is only 1.25 miles long, so I re-ran the MAX5 for a baseline.
Mercury MAX5 102 at 6150 rpm
Mercury CNC 5 blade 34 x 15.25, 105.5 at 6300 rpm
Drag 5 30 x 14.5 90 on the limiter
Spinelli 32 x 14.5 DR4 88 slipping on the limiter

Joe and I will post videos later

Have to say that all our propellers are custom built; This propeller was not built for this application and obviously not a good example.
We could have 10 plus propellers lined up that have the same pitch but there are many variables that need to be addressed to get the desired result; We don't just sell a single propeller in any given pitch.
We are looking forward to addressing this application while still supporting the past by delivering what we have for the last 49 years here at Spinelli Bros.

[WILDMAN]

Nothing negative on the Spinelli prop. Not a single one of the standard props I use on the 300xs would hook up on the 300R. Too much exhaust over the blades.

[mjw930]

In talking to others it appears Mercury Racing confirms this case really needs a 15" or larger prop. 15.5" seems to be their recommendation. Blade count, geometry and other factors are very boat specific.

[xb03fs]

In talking to others it appears Mercury Racing confirms this case really needs a 15" or larger prop. 15.5" seems to be their recommendation. Blade count, geometry and other factors are very boat specific.

Id really like to see a promax shaped prop in 15" or 15.25". They lift pretty darn well and bite harder that 15" diameter bravos...........

[1BadAction]

but who cares when you run swamp fuel that is available everywhere...

LMFAO!! but

This is a huge deal that most people miss. 91 or 93 pump gas and go. No sweating the ethanol, additives, oils, etc or worrying about it burning down because the station had piss water fuel in their premium tank. Just pull up to the pump and fill that bitch up. I know MULTIPLE people that have burned down high perf motors that need the 93 octane. It's not uncommon at all.

With props, as these things proliferate, expect to see bigger stuff get more popular. Personally I'd swing a CNC Cleaver in a 34 pitch with the motor then find something else to run day to day.

[mjw930]

Personally I'd swing a CNC Cleaver in a 34 pitch with the motor then find something else to run day to day.

Personally I wouldn't even consider putting a $5000 prop on a small High Performance boat unless I was competing with it. In many cases that 10% - 20% of the entire boat's value.

I don't think it's going take a long time for both Mercury and the Aftermarket to start addressing this and coming out with 15"+ props.

[XstreamVking]

These motors and props put you in the "if you have to ask, you can't afford it" category.

[WILDMAN]

I'll be trying out a 34 Performer 4 blade prop soon. It's 15 1/8" - 15.25" and the blades are huge. If it works out, that will bring the prop cost to under $1,000.

[gotboostedvr6]

If I can secure you a P5X loaner would you try it?

[engineermike]

If I can secure you a P5X loaner would you try it?

Fwiw the p5x has a very similar blade outline to a max5, but it has a "regressive" rake like a bravo1, whereas the max5 has nearly the same rake from the root to the tip.