Water Fountain

HELP!!! I have a 98 - 32' Fountain with stock 502's with Mach 27 props. At sea level I can run 77 mph @4900 rpm and at 4500' my usual boating altitude I run 68 - 70 mph @4500 rpm. With these props at this altitude the boat is slow to get on plane. I want to go to either Bravo 1's or Hydromotive props for this altitude. I think 26 Hydromotives would be about the right size, but not sure which Bravo 1's. I've heard that the Bravo 1's are a little bit different but not not sure if you need to go to more or less pitch when going to the Bravo 1's. I've also heard that the Hydromotive are a little faster on the top end, but the Bravo 1's are better out of the hole and mid range. Any help on this would be greatly appreciated. I want to order the new props now so I can be ready for the summer.

Thanks,

car54driver

I also have a ’98 32’ Fountain and went through the same motions you are going through. The Bravo props didn’t like the stepped hull; they weren’t smooth and tried to blow out too easily. I went with the Hydromotives and stayed with them through 3 different upgrades.

Water Fountain

Thanks so much for the info car54driver, sounds like it would have been a costly mistake on my part to buy the Bravo 1's. Do your Hydromotives have the diffuser rings on them or not. I thought that I read a thread one time that you had slightly modified your 502's. If this is true would you share with me what did, who did it, the parts used and the results.

Thanks again for the info.

car54driver

No I’ve never used the diffuser rings.
Maybe they're a little more than slightly modified.
Last year I ran M-1SC prochargers, this year I’m using M-3SC. Last season was trouble free enginewise. I hope to have similar success with the new blowers.
I still have the complete M-1 SC systems. I just changed the blower, intercooler, and necessary brackets so everything else is still in the factory packages.

LPBoater

54 - not more speed - just when I thought I might catch up, you pull a fast one on me.

LPBoater

My opinion on Bravo 1's - they are drive breakers! Of all the people I knew who nuked outdrives last year, most were running Bravo 1's. My guess is that the hydromotive doesn't bite as hard when the drives re-enter the water.

54driver - valve train in my 500's was complete junk. Mercury used lousy springs in my 500's!!

SeaDated

LPboater,

I agree with you on the bravo props...drive breakers! They seem to hook up tight coming out of the hole thus putting a lot of torque on the drive. The hydros slip more out of the hole and release some torque. I have a 1999 32 with 502's and I've run both 27 and 26 Hydrs. The 27 are good in the cold weather but 26 is Ideal in the summer. Best GPS ever was 82.7 but all summer it's about 78 point something. I need blowers.

car54driver

Hello LP, How’s everybody doing? - I think you have a valid theory. I’ve scattered more than my share of Bravo drives with Hydromotives, but now that you mention it.percentagewise I think the bravo props break more drives.

Seadated— 82.7 is a pretty strong best, 78 anytime you want to go isn't too shabby either.

SeaDated

car54driver
Thanks for the kind words. To be perfectly honest, the engines and slightly modified. You know the easy stuff, roller rockers, stainless marine exhaust, flame arrestors, re-cal computers, sharpen props. All together added about 250-300RPMS. It's better but I still want more. Something like 83-85 anyday would be great.

car54driver

SeaDated- I was about 73-74 mph bone stock. I went with the Procharger setup and found another 17-18 mph. With your exhaust and other modifications you may do better. That’s the best recipe I could find for a 32.