Hill Marine Props

[ph2ocraft]

Okay
I have an 03 262 with a 425hp 496 and 26 3 blade props.
My question is would a set of 4 blades be better?
I know I still have to run WOT and get my RPM numbers but Joe at Hill is saying we'll probably be pretty happy with a set of 28 four blade propellers.
I'd also like to know if anybody knows what max rpm's should be run on this boat combination?
As usual
Thanks in Advance
Al

[cmattj]

Hey pal.. As much as I would hope a prop change would be the ticket for the high altitude gear set. I worry as I stated it would be tough to maximize your efforts and $$

I would ponder a gear change back to sea level gearing with its 1.81. Cost would be a freshen and gear change which includes fresh spanky new cone clutches usually.. about a 3000.00 investment and you will keep your same props. (common and easy to replace if damaged.. remember we are in the Delta during the spring runoff.
Her is a snapshot of what a prop change would give you and last what a gear change would give you. (10%prop slip and 5100 rpm)

[cmattj]

Gear change

[cmattj]

What you currently have now.

[cmattj]

It would not let me stack the pics for some reason. so I added the different setups.

You would need a 31-32 prop to equal what normally would be the correct ratio for sea level with a 2.22 gear.. and that doesn't pencil. Anyways it's not broken right now but it could be better by springtime!! Just not sure spending a 1k on props would be better applied to a fresh Bravo for the future.

[AsLan7]

Great info matt !

....matches almost exactly to my 262 with the 1.81, 26 pitch, BIII props. Again, when she hits the limiter, she goes into limp mode for a second to protect the engine from overspeed. Still considering a prop change down the road as a possibility.
.

[cmattj]

Great info matt !

....matches almost exactly to my 262 with the 1.81, 26 pitch, BIII props. Again, when she hits the limiter, she goes into limp mode for a second to protect the engine from overspeed. Still considering a prop change down the road as a possibility.
.

Yours runs well pal!! Wonder if its the closed bow making it effeciant at speed.. ?? I would wait until we whipple it?? Yeah !!

[ph2ocraft]

Thanks, the charts make everything easier to visualize.
Do I guess I need to decide if 55mph at 5100 is good enough or if I need 60??
I’m willing to throw 1K at props until I need a lower end rebuild.
So of course the question is
Aprox how many hours for a lower end rebuild?
If I’m close enough, I’ll just do it now.
My boats at 345 hours.

[cmattj]

Thanks, the charts make everything easier to visualize.
Do I guess I need to decide if 55mph at 5100 is good enough or if I need 60??
I’m willing to throw 1K at props until I need a lower end rebuild.
So of course the question is
Aprox how many hours for a lower end rebuild?
If I’m close enough, I’ll just do it now.
My boats at 345 hours.

All depends on the care and maintenance. If there is no delays in and out of gear ( sign of worn cone clutches) she may be healthy for 5-600 hours depending on use. Bravo3 is pretty tough. Just want you to have all your options.
Hell, we just all want you to get your Boat home and run it.. then maybe make those decisions after the dust settles.

[thunder550]

Yeah I agree, there's definitely no rush on this other than what your personal preferences and patience level are. Get the boat home and run it a few times, see what your usage is like. If it doesn't bother you, keep it as-is. If it's marginal, do the props. If you hate it, do the rebuild or try to find a good used B3 lower with the 1.81 gears that you can just swap out and sell your existing one to recoup part of the cost. Maybe you could even get lucky enough to find someone moving a boat from low elevation to Tahoe or something who would be up for a trade.

[ph2ocraft]

Thanks, the charts make everything easier to visualize.
Do I guess I need to decide if 55mph at 5100 is good enough or if I need 60??
I’m willing to throw 1K at props until I need a lower end rebuild.
So of course the question is
Aprox how many hours for a lower end rebuild?
If I’m close enough, I’ll just do it now.
My boats at 345 hours.

All depends on the care and maintenance. If there is no delays in and out of gear ( sign of worn cone clutches) she may be healthy for 5-600 hours depending on use. Bravo3 is pretty tough. Just want you to have all your options.
Hell, we just all want you to get your Boat home and run it.. then maybe make those decisions after the dust settles.

Yep
Absorbing all the info I can before I head out:-)

[ph2ocraft]

Yeah I agree, there's definitely no rush on this other than what your personal preferences and patience level are. Get the boat home and run it a few times, see what your usage is like. If it doesn't bother you, keep it as-is. If it's marginal, do the props. If you hate it, do the rebuild or try to find a good used B3 lower with the 1.81 gears that you can just swap out and sell your existing one to recoup part of the cost. Maybe you could even get lucky enough to find someone moving a boat from low elevation to Tahoe or something who would be up for a trade.

I do have the patience of a monk but I think it's over ridden for my quest of 58mph on this big ole boy:-)
A trade would be sic or I can save it for my by-annual trek to Tahoe.
So many decisions hehe

[Big Block Power]

Ok you can find used props for half that price.
Hill Marine yecks you want a horror story I can give you that. I have a set that I've had for two years and still don't know how they work.
Matt gave you great info. Sorry 55 or 60 that's easy to answer for me.

[ph2ocraft]

So I’m seeing 51 mph at 5100 rpm but I’m sure thevspeedo is not accurate.
I’ll use a gps tomorrow but even if I’m doing 48 at 5100 I want more speed.
I want to try a set of 28’s and see what happens. I’m happy with the out of the hole performance.

[AsLan7]

That top speed is definitely a sign of the higher ratio outdrive.

A tune up will also help.

Have you had a qualified marine tech look her over?
.