Did some serious prop testing today

**WILDMAN** · 03-21-2020, 07:24 PM

We had 12 props to test today. I got some prototype props from Hill Propellers to see what works best. They were all over 15" diameter to run on the new V8's. We had a new big diameter Drag 5 made in a thru-hub and one in an over hub. Also a couple modified performer props with different cups in 4 blade and 5 blade. Also some 5 blade cleavers. The two Liberators had different gear ratios. 1.75 and 1.60. The Bullet had a 1.75. Also ran a highly modified Bravo 36 that was cut into a 4 blade cleaver. Ran good but with alot of slip on the 1.60 Liberator and the Bullet, but threw a blade on take off with the 1.75 Liberator. We ran them all for 4 hours. I gotta say, both of the Drag 5's ran awesome with great holeshot. The cupped and modified Performer were good too. As always, the Hill 5 blade cleave got the best top end. I will be selling all these shortly as soon as production starts. The Drag 5's will also be made in a LH for twin application which should be awesome! I got a pretty good sunburn! Here's some pics.

**Stoker1** · 03-22-2020, 07:38 AM

Originally Posted by WILDMAN

modified Bravo 36 that was cut into a 4 blade cleaver.

Is that it in the bottom right of the pic?

**WILDMAN** · 03-22-2020, 09:10 AM

Yes, blades were thin. Worked good on the 1.60 300R Liberator and the Bullet but with 20% slip. Threw a blade on 1st pass on my 22 Liberator with a 1.75

**JBS** · 03-22-2020, 09:11 AM

Sounds like fun,always liked trying different props. Let us know what ran best,you have a bunch of good ones.

**Merc 2.5** · 03-22-2020, 09:17 AM

Yep sounds like a great time ,except loosing a blade , thanks for the report,

**21CheckmateLD** · 03-22-2020, 10:07 AM

I would like to see a close up pic of the winner!

**scott reierson** · 03-22-2020, 02:01 PM

Was that on the St Johns or on a lake nearby? Any Gators in there? Weather looks nice.

Those motors must have a lot of Torque to swing ratios and blades like that.

I did get a chance to run the V8 300 & 400's on Benny Ttoons, Rabalo CC and the Big Ranger 622. Very impressive.

I'm curious, how is that Bullet like to drive with that motor on it? Will it take a set and dig in or is it all wiggly when it gets up there?

**WILDMAN** · 03-22-2020, 02:03 PM

It was a local lake. Every lake has hundreds of gators. The Bullet chine walks just like every other V-bottom at higher speeds

**mjw930** · 03-22-2020, 05:15 PM

The drag 5 looks a lot like the max 5 ST which I’ve heard works really well on the 300R. I’m looking for a max 5 ST in 32 or 33P for the Talon. It likes the Hill 5 blade but I think the Max 5 will be a better all around prop based on some testing with a pro max.

**WILDMAN** · 03-22-2020, 06:00 PM

On the 21-22 Liberators the max 5 was 9 mph slower than the Hill 5 blade. The bigger Drag 5's are also quite a bit faster than the Max 5. The Drag 5 will be under $1000. The Max 5 is about $2000

**engineermike** · 03-22-2020, 06:04 PM

Randy, can you comment on bow lift characteristics of the drag 5 vs hill cleaver 5 blade vs max5?

**mjw930** · 03-22-2020, 06:25 PM

Originally Posted by WILDMAN

On the 21-22 Liberators the max 5 was 9 mph slower than the Hill 5 blade. The bigger Drag 5's are also quite a bit faster than the Max 5. The Drag 5 will be under $1000. The Max 5 is about $2000

Sounds good. But, was it a Max5 or a Max5 ST, they are two different props.

**WILDMAN** · 03-22-2020, 06:29 PM

All the props cavitate alot getting on plane due to high engine height. Bow lift is better with the Drag 5. Drag 5 cavitates and gets on plane pretty quickly. Cleaver cavitates alot Getting on plane especially with a heavier load but has best top end. Has alot of tail lift but doesn't seem to be an issue. Max 5 cavitates with alot of vibration. It loads and unloads several times getting on plane which has broken a couple propshafts while getting on plane. Max 5 had 9% slip. Hill cleaver has 4%, and big Drag 5 has 4% on the thru hub and 5% on the over hub. Not sure yet on top end with the Drag 5 because they were both 30's and put them on the limiter quickly. 1.75 gear ran 99-100 at 6450. The 1.60 ran 106-107 at 6300. Yesterday the 34" Hill cleaver ran 107 at 6000 on the 1.75, but it has run 112 at 6300 on the same boat.

**WILDMAN** · 03-22-2020, 06:59 PM

It was one of the first in July of 2018

Originally Posted by mjw930

Sounds good. But, was it a Max5 or a Max5 ST, they are two different props.

**mjw930** · 03-22-2020, 07:37 PM

The Max 5 ST came out in Jan 2019, it’s 15.25” diameter with a shorter hub to reduce stern lift. Not saying it’s better then either the drag 5 or the Hill 400 5 blade just that it needs some further testing as it is different than the previous version. I know of one Talon running a 33p ST on a 300R and he’s supposedly very happy with it.

Due to a number of reasons I haven’t had time to air out the Hill 5 blade but did air out a 30 ProMax and was impressed with its hole shot, short cavitation period with less bow rise before to takes a set and it’s midrange punch. Acceleration from 35 - 80 was breathtaking. Of course it hit the limiter and couldn’t do better than 10% slip so 94 @ 6450 but it was rock solid and went from 25 mph to 94 mph in less than half the distance the 300 XS took to get to 90. I’d be perfectly happy with a prop With similar hole shot and midrange performance that would get me into the low 100’s with normal load WOT. I’m not interested in posting a big number, I’ve got nothing to prove and I don’t want a prop that’s a one trick pony.