I get too excited about fishing to do back to back prop tests like I should. I bought all props used so there is always a chance something is off the factory spec. Boat is a loaded down 215 with Ultrex, 3 Helix 12s and 2 10 foot poles with 3 group 29 batteries and 1 Group 31 X2 battery so it has a bit of weight in it. Ran from almost fuel to never below half a tank. Motor is the Merc 250 XS four stroke.
I normally run a 25 pitch Bravo that was worked by DAH so I am not 100% surte what was done with it. Bravo solo is 5800-5900 rpms and I touch 70. Overall performance is great. There is a bit of walk on the top end. This is an older bravo XS with only the 4 holes that are 1 inch and will not fit the PVS plugs. Good holeshot and the boat holds nice in turns. It lifts the stern very well.
I tried a 24 pitch Fury 3 and it just did not work for me. Turns 6000 rpms and ran 60-62 so there is a ton of slip there. I may have been too high as I want to lower my motor 1 hole on the jackplate but 3.5 inches below and it still was not working right. The prop did not feel like it lifted either the stern or the bow correctly. Boat fels dead driving and is not what I want. I don't know if there is something wrong with the prop and I am not sure what to do with it now. It looks in great shape but I have to try it on someone elses boat and make sure the prop will run their boat correct before I sell it. I won't sell something that will not work right.
This last weekend I tried a 23 tempest. Boat felt like a racecar. Much more responsive to throttle. I should have tried the 25 Bravo on the same water to get an apples to apples but I was too busy fishing and having fun. 6100 rpms easy. I am not sure if that is all I could turn it or if the limiter was holding it back. I think a 24 tempest would actually be the better solution. 68-69 mph easy and I felt like it had 70 plus but straight water was lacking. Hit 68 plus with quickly with two people and a tourney load with 3/4 or more fuel though. Main thing with the tempest is the boat felt alive. Boat runs quick and smooth through turns. Top end chine felt a bit less than the Bravo and it liked to run a bit deeper prop to pad. Slowing down before a turn and accelerating out of it (like a sportscar) was a thing and you can feel the boat accelerate out the turns. Absolutely amazing for a 21.5. Throttle down fast and the boat seems to float a bit but you get used to it. It lifted the stern enough and held the bow well. I think in a perfect world the 24 tempest worked by Mark might be the perfect combo. For now I will keep playing with the ones I have and test the Fury 3 24 pitch on a friends boat to make sure it is just a bad fit for the Falcon and not a prop problem.
What have the rest of you tried and found.