Boat setup: CX21 w/250 merc pro xs. No power poles, live wells full, dual console, 2 guys, minimal tackle, 85 percent fuel
Tested out the new prop today. Went from a 24p Fury 3 blade to a Bravo 1 23.5p 4 blade... Wow, what a difference! Feels like a different boat. I also moved the third wet cell trolling battery to the crank battery side to balance load, which did correct the low speed list to port these boats seem to have.
back to the Bravo 1 FS prop:
Prop came with pvs plugs, fully closed off, no venting. I ran it that way. From a dead stop, trimmed down, atlas hydraulic plate at 3 on gauge. Punched the hot foot to the floor and boat is immediately on plane with no prop blowout or cavitation. Feels like I have more bow and stern lift without even trimming or raising plate. Started trimming up a little and it gets to speed very quickly. Water today was pretty rough, but this prop picks the boat up and drives right through it. I am a novice boat driver, and I felt totally comfortable with this setup. Only able to reach 63 mph into a head wind and bad chop on water, jack plate at 6 and rpm at 5880. Still breaking in motor, so I didn’t have time to get trim and plate height perfect. I think this prop will hit high 60s when properly trimmed and plate is correct. More importantly, the boat drives like a sports car now. The severe chine walk / “bow roll” is all but gone. I can easily drive it with minimal driver input. It’s not the fastest top end prop, but it will get me to its top speed faster than most.
In summary, Bravo 1 FS 23.5p fully plugged is my new “road course” rough conditions prop. A 24p fury 3 will be the smooth water, make long runs prop. Most lakes I fish don’t require long runs, and those that do have 2 to 4 foot rollers and “bath tub” conditions... the Bravo 1 FS is now primary prop. Boat just rides on top better and the acceleration is incredible.
I may try a 25 bravo 1 in the future to see about top end speed, but the 23.5 is great so far and doesn’t seem to hit rev limiter