Prop Help for a 2017 Ranger Z520C w/ 250 SHO

[Redsfishin]

Prop Help for a 2017 Ranger Z520C w/ 250 SHO
I posted this in the ranger forum, but was recommended to ask in here. Specially looking for someone with input that has a Yamaha SHO, even better if it is on the back of a Ranger Z520C.
https://www.bbcboards.net/showthread.php?t=1267128

Looking for input. I have a 2017 Ranger Z520C. Repowered with a Yamaha VF250 SHO. Trying props I have access to, but unable to get over 70 mph. Thought I was close, but nope. I like running a four blade, as it seems to be less sensitive to weight (full tourney load vs most of the time empty). Not interested in flashing the SHO. Unfortunately, not a lot of Yamaha props around for me to test. Don't want to get into a hydraulic jack either. Hopeful to find 70+ mph with just a prop and height adjustment.

Current Set Up:
2017 Ranger Z520C
2023 Yamaha VF250 SHO
26p Fury 4
1" below pad with manual jack plate.
Full fuel and empty live wells 5,900 RPMs at 69 mph
(66mph with full wells).

Also tried a 24p and 25p Fury 4.
24p and maxed out at 69 mph at 6,100 rpms.
25p touched 70 mph also redlined at 6,100.

Motor I had on there was a 2017 250 Evinrude G2. 25p RX4 ran 74mph light load, 72 full load. I know, two-stroke vs four-stroke apples and oranges.

Also, i have been running lithiums for a couple years now.

Dropped the motor a 1/2" yesterday, lost 3 mph with the 26p.

In general, is it true that a three blade props has more bow lift than a four blade?

[PatriotAW4]

Yes a 3 blade will give your more bow lift than a 4 blade. I would try a 24" pitch SHO prop. However I doubt you are going to be able to get more than 69-70 out of that combo with the stock 250 SHO. What you are getting with it right now is good for that boat and a 250 4 stroke. Also is your prop to pad only 1"? You are going to throw a blade very soon on that fury 4 if so.

[Redsfishin]

I dropped the motor a 1/2" to 1.5" below pad. Put the 24p Fury 4 back on and here are the numbers.
15-16 psi
6000 rpm
68.5 mph
Calculator indicates slip at 11%

Great holeshot and gets to 68-69 pretty easy.
Looking to get back into the 70's so trying this 26p Fury 4 to work. When I put that 26p Fury 4 on there my slip goes up to 16%. I was hoping the 26p would drop my rpms into the 5800's and keep the speed but it doesn't seem to.

Any tips? Maybe this 26p is a dud out of the box and needs some tuning.

[mactlman]

Slip high so drop eng 1” maybe. Going to fling a blade that high on a fury

bravo1 or marks razor xlr better 4 blade to run high

[smoken86]

Way high for a Fury they do not like to be surfaced unless you want to remove a blade from that 4. I know SHOs like to run high but you are not getting any bite trimming up hence why you are hitting the same rpm. I would be really cautious running that prop higher than 2.5 below pad. The sho props are hard to beat and really should pull the bow better than the Fury.

Lot of hate for Rudes around here but they run very well so not surprised it was faster than the sho.

[PatriotAW4]

I agree way too high for a Fury 4. Also don't expect the same top end out of a new 4 stroke as you got out of a G1 Evinrude HO or a Mercury Optimax Pro XS. I know you said you don't want to tune it but if you want the top end back that is what you will have to do most likely. What you are getting now is normal if not slightly above average for a 20 foot ranger with a 250 4 stroke.

[1BADAIR]

My boat with the new pro xs is 5 mph slower than the old Etec !!