Liberator 21/22 owners - prop questions

**TraceF3** · 06-26-2019, 08:27 AM

I'm a new owner of a Liberator 21. I've tried several props, a Performer 15x30p, a Drag 5 30p, a Mercury Trophy Plus 28p to name a few.

Wildman told me where the motor should be set on the jackplate and I moved it because the previous owner lowered it. And I realize that if I want to see triple digits I need to do it with a minimal load and a prop for that purpose.

But I'll typically have my GF, a cooler, full gear including her beach umbrella etc. I added a second battery. I keep the fuel tank full (38 gals). I weigh 205 and she weighs about 135.

What are you guys finding is the best all around prop for someone not wanting to run at the redline all the time?

Thanks in advance!

**JPEROG** · 06-26-2019, 08:53 AM

Pro max, drag 5, drag 4, lightning ET all work good. If you want to go up in $, I have a 34 5 blade overhub Dewald that ran on my STV last week and you can try it-cruise speed was very impressive. The five blade wheels are so smooth and stay hooked up but at speed on the small boats you have to pay attention to transom lift and paddle wheel effect. (115 and crabbing in an STV is a touch uncomfortable).

Joe

**TraceF3** · 06-26-2019, 12:27 PM

Hey Joe! Thanks for the offer but I wasn't getting to the red line with the Drag 5 30p. Not sure I have everything set up right yet. The Drag 5 tended to lift the right side of the boat so I know what you are saying.

**eli** · 06-26-2019, 12:48 PM

If you can try a 28 merc cleaver small cats can get very uncomfortable with round ears towards 100 ,here is my bitch about real world boat testing ,most tests come from single driver and no fuel results look good ,then bob buys it and takes it home loads up the family ,cooler ,beach stuff and now the boat don’t go like it did before ,I know your pain I had a 23 Daytona and with me I ran 28 cleavers ,when I loaded it up with family I went to 26 choppers just to handle extra load but it still was not that great and that was 2 motors ,so you might try 26 pitch loaded and to heck with top end till your by your self

**Merc 2.5** · 06-26-2019, 02:49 PM

Originally Posted by eli

If you can try a 28 merc cleaver small cats can get very uncomfortable with round ears towards 100 ,here is my bitch about real world boat testing ,most tests come from single driver and no fuel results look good ,then bob buys it and takes it home loads up the family ,cooler ,beach stuff and now the boat don’t go like it did before ,I know your pain I had a 23 Daytona and with me I ran 28 cleavers ,when I loaded it up with family I went to 26 choppers just to handle extra load but it still was not that great and that was 2 motors ,so you might try 26 pitch loaded and to heck with top end till your by your self

I feel the pain. I got to where I leave a 4 blade on unless I know I'm goin out for wot runs all day, by myself

**TraceF3** · 06-26-2019, 04:21 PM

With all gear and just myself here's what I have:

Merc Trophy Plus 28p 6100 rpm @ 85 mph
Merc Lightning ET 30p 5800 rpm @ 93 mph
Drag 5 5700 rpm @ 88 mph

I'm not sure I'm running right though. I seem to have a surging when I'm accelerating.

**Captaincj** · 06-26-2019, 06:39 PM

Originally Posted by TraceF3

With all gear and just myself here's what I have:

Merc Trophy Plus 28p 6100 rpm @ 85 mph
Merc Lightning ET 30p 5800 rpm @ 93 mph
Drag 5 5700 rpm @ 88 mph

I'm not sure I'm running right though. I seem to have a surging when I'm accelerating.

Interesting, I get the same 85mph with my 28 Trophy Plus at 6,000-6,100rpm on my 79 Viking.

**TraceF3** · 06-27-2019, 06:04 AM

Originally Posted by Captaincj

Interesting, I get the same 85mph with my 28 Trophy Plus at 6,000-6,100rpm on my 79 Viking.

Which motor?

**Fear And Loathing** · 06-27-2019, 06:48 AM

My TEXAS built 21 ran 103/106 with a 30 p Mercury hump back clever. It was however Texas built and rigged by me so it was lighter by design.

**Fear And Loathing** · 06-27-2019, 06:51 AM

Picture of prop.

**TraceF3** · 06-27-2019, 07:00 AM

Originally Posted by Fear And Loathing

My TEXAS built 21 ran 103/106 with a 30 p Mercury hump back clever. It was however Texas built and rigged by me so it was lighter by design.

Nice looking boat! What jack plate is that? And what's the gear ratio of the lower unit?

How fast did the red one run?

**Captaincj** · 06-27-2019, 08:44 AM

Originally Posted by TraceF3

Which motor?

I have an Evinrude Looper.

I've had to change a lot of really poor set-up from the previous owners, and still learning to drive it. That's definitely a PARTIAL THROTTLE 85mph. Wants to go lots faster.

**Flatlander** · 06-27-2019, 02:17 PM

I have one with a 260 on it and solely run a 26" Drag 4 ... boat loaded or light. It is not a speed demon, but lightly loaded it will run 92mph at 7300rpm. Propshaft is 1-1/4" above the pad
It still runs good with 4 people and a cooler. Just a slower out of the hole.

**Tripleflipper** · 06-28-2019, 07:39 AM

Currently running a Drag 4, 32. A bit slow out of the hole but top end is 100 with me alone. Also have a Bravo 1, 26 which is very good out of the hole but robs top end. Also have a Bravo 1, 30 which gets me low 90's with me alone.

**TraceF3** · 06-28-2019, 03:05 PM

Originally Posted by Tripleflipper

Currently running a Drag 4, 32. A bit slow out of the hole but top end is 100 with me alone. Also have a Bravo 1, 26 which is very good out of the hole but robs top end. Also have a Bravo 1, 30 which gets me low 90's with me alone.

Interesting numbers. What motor / lower / gears? Thanks!