Hydrostream Viper prop advice needed

[74hsviper]

Hello, I am new to the forum, I have a 1973 15" Hydrostream Viper with a Mercury Optimax 250hp Pro XS Racing 20" Sportmaster 1.75 ratio. Fury Prop 26 pitch. I built the Lower unit from a bare case on Ebay and Painted it with a ceramic dry lube, Cerakote, it sheds water like water off a ducks back, lol.

I am wanting a prop with some stern lift and need to go faster as well, 75 mph is what I am getting, the prop is out of the water about 3 inches, rpms about 5800. What prop should I get? 15" 30 pitch? Clever or chopper, 3 blade 4 blade? I had trouble with a jack plate 4" set back, with the motor weight and jack plate was to much, to much bow lift, etc etc, I had to take the jack plate off and move fuel tanks up front, its manageable now hard to keep it stable at 75 mph, I may need some more seat time I guess, LOL...I lifted the engine as far as I could modifying the transom.

So whatcha all think about a Prop? I did put on a Ballistic Michigan 26" and it was like having a slipping clutch, the worst! My Fury prop has a vibration after I hit a log at 60 mph and cant see anything bent but the vibration is not good.

Thanks, Andy

[rock]

Welcome to the site. Hope your safety equipment is in order. We had Jeff's Viper running 90 or so. They will run pretty good but be careful. As far as props go I might consider an ET. I know some guys like the cleavers but I never had any luck with them. Good luck.

Rock

[74hsviper]

What pitch was the prop used on Jeff's Viper

[rock]

Don't know for sure but I would guess a 28 or 30 and have no clue as to what style/brand he used. I need to talk to him anyway and I will ask.

Rock

[LakeFever]

I’m guessing that’s a Viper 1 with all that transom weight? Yikes. The bow tank freaks me out too because as you run it your balance is going to change and that can lead to a real bad situation. Your going to want to be extremely judicious with the trim.

Prop wise you don’t hear anyone complaining about lightning et’s on streams only about the cost and the fact that they break. Otherwise top tier prop for sure. Some seem to like the Hill Et but many don’t like them even after labbing I haven’t run either of those yet so that’s heresay.

With such a big motor I’d be worried about breaking a prop and I’m thinking a bravo might be the ticket for you. Big strong fast prop. Small ear chopper or hoss triton would also be great but so thin, can’t see them lasting.