Prop advice for my BCB P4

[Judson1]

Copied and pasted from my post on the Bass Cat forum. Any advice appreciated.

”
Join DateMar 2012LocationNorth Augusta, SCPosts649

P4: looking to make a prop decision after next weekend.

The boat came with a 25 tempest. The most rpms I have ever seen in 15 months was 5500 (67 mph)and that was one time. Went yesterday to get some numbers in case I send off for a rework.
65.5 @ 5410. Air temp 60 with a very slight chop. Holeshot great! Jumps to 3500! I’m 180 lbs and if I have a partner I see 62. The prop is a 7-8 out of 10.

After next Saturday I’ll have a few weeks of not fishing. So I would like to decide on either having this prop cleaned up and dropped to a 24. Or getting a 23 Fury (4 or 3) For whatever reason my engine cannot turn this 25 like others can. It’s been to the shop and has been deemed a “strong runner”. They had it at 5400 also. Even had the injectors cleaned as the tech thought that should be done. I can’t tell a difference though. Maybe on holeshot.
I’ve held onto this setup on purpose to make sure I wasn’t doing something wrong. Trim, slight motor problem, air temps, etc. After this long though I’m certain it’s not going over 5500.
I know it’s not a P2. And it’s probably not a 70 mph rig. I don’t even run WOT that often but I do feel I am leaving a little on the table at 62mph with a passenger.

And no one in my club has a comparable prop to try. Most have Yamahas. I did however try my B&B’d 25 Trophy before selling that rig and got 67 from it at like 5380 rpms. That’s one reason why I mentioned the Fury 4. I know what a few of you are running. Just hoping for a little more feedback to make the best choice.

Yea I have played with engine height. That’s another reason I haven’t done anything to this prop yet. I wanted a wild range of variables to ensure it wasn’t just something I was overlooking. I certainly didn’t want to drop down a pitch through a purchase only to discover the 25 was right all along.
I have the Merc Monitor.
I will say that Wednesday when I posted that number, at the very top end, the boat was doing a little clockwise roll. I assumed it was chining a little. And I wondered if I figured out how to calm that the rpm’s/speed would increase. But here’s the thing…. It rarely ever gets to that point where it does that. And I’ve never had it do that with a passenger. Ive tried all kinds of trim heights to find the extra performance also.

[mdtritn21]

How much setback do you have and what's your prop to pad? I'd get the prop B&B'ed since your really not that far off now. Getting that prop dropped to a 24" would gain you rpm's but no speed. I guess your caring four group 31 batteries and run a 24 volt trolling motor too so Lithium batteries will help too.

[Judson1]

How much setback do you have and what's your prop to pad? I'd get the prop B&B'ed since your really not that far off now. Getting that prop dropped to a 24" would gain you rpm's but no speed. I guess your caring four group 31 batteries and run a 24 volt trolling motor too so Lithium batteries will help too.

8” slide master and around 3.25 ptp. I’ve played with that some though.
Only three batteries but none are lithium.
The thought of dropping to a 24 is to run the motor in the 5600-5750 range. Something I was told is beneficial. But apparently not for speed.

[mike petro]

I ran a 25 fury 3 on my 13 p4. It would touch 70 in cold months. Holeshot was instant.

[Judson1]

I ran a 25 fury 3 on my 13 p4. It would touch 70 in cold months. Holeshot was instant.

Remember your rpms? I’ve heard the Fury needs to be one pitch lower than the Tempest to achieve the same rpms. So if that’s true I would need a 24 or maybe even a 23.

[mike petro]

It was about 5600. I think that motor would go 5750. It ran great

[mdtritn21]

Get your prop B&B by Mark it's showing some excess slip.

[ranger185]

Hey Judson, I own a 2013 P4 with a 200 Yamaha. I have been chasing RPM's since I bought it new. Boat came with a 26 Fury but could only turn 5300 RPM's. Basscat sent me a 25 Fury but that only got me to 5500 and 68 MPH. I bought a used 24 fury and now I see 5650 with my best speed of 69.7 MPH. It is a heavy boat with 4 batteries and a ton of tackle. With the smaller size lakes up here it is tough to air her out much. She does start to walk at around 68. Try a 24 see what happens, I may try a 4 blade if I can find one to borrow. Ed

[Judson1]

Hey Judson, I own a 2013 P4 with a 200 Yamaha. I have been chasing RPM's since I bought it new. Boat came with a 26 Fury but could only turn 5300 RPM's. Basscat sent me a 25 Fury but that only got me to 5500 and 68 MPH. I bought a used 24 fury and now I see 5650 with my best speed of 69.7 MPH. It is a heavy boat with 4 batteries and a ton of tackle. With the smaller size lakes up here it is tough to air her out much. She does start to walk at around 68. Try a 24 see what happens, I may try a 4 blade if I can find one to borrow. Ed

I was set to send in my 25 tempest to be dropped to a 24 by Ronnie Gilbert. He said I could send it now but that he wouldn’t be working until Feb 1st. Not having a spare I hesitated since I don’t want to be propless in Feb. Then last week I picked up a 24 Tempest that had been worked by Ronnie at a good price. So when it shows up I’m gonna run it and decide which one is best. Then maybe send it to Ronnie for a B&B job. I’m still looking for a 23 Fury to try out but no luck yet. Basically everyone in my club runs Yamaha or Evinrude. Thanks

[Judson1]

Was able to run that 24 Tempest today. Its maybe an 7-8 out of 10. Could use some cleanup.
48 degrees and cloudy with a slight chop.
Holeshot was even better than the 25 Tempest (to be expected I guess). Around 3700 rpms at takeoff. Didn’t have to feather at rollover. About 6 seconds to 30 and 8 to 40. VERY satisfied there!!! Not sure how it could be any better.
67.2 at 5680 (smartcraft). I think I saw 5700 a few times so I guess I’m where I need to be there. Took 18 gallons to top main tank off afterwards (33 gal) so I assume it was about half full ( analog fuel gauge showed 1/4). Saddle tank empty Solo (180 lbs)with tournament load and livewells empty. So basically a speed friendly setup today.

At about 64 the chine starts and I gotta be honest I don’t see how I tame that. I’ve heard seat time and I tried to figure it out but couldn’t.
Water pressure was 22 at WOT. The jackplate is flush. I’m wondering if I should raise 1/4” and see if that helps ( by not having to trim as much). Also worried that if chine is tamed (by a more experienced driver apparently) would I then run into a rev limiter situation?
I was gonna call Ronnie and see which one I should send to him to be B&B’d assuming he would recommend it. The 24 he has already worked. The 25 he would have to drop a pitch. But I thought I may look for a 23 Fury and then make the decision on which one to send him. As always any advice appreciated.

[mdtritn21]

Get a prop to pad measurement and it may not need anything if you set it right 3.25" under.

[Judson1]

Get a prop to pad measurement and it may not need anything if you set it right 3.25" under.

It was 3 5/8”. I didn’t know I had it that deep.
I just moved it to 3 3/8”. Will check that run and adjust if needed.