520C -Bravo 1 FS prop. What pitch?

[E73bass]

24 or 24.5 or 25.

which pitch?
just looking for more RPM and bow lift ?

currently running a 24 Fury 4 and only get about 5600 RPM.

[Jbass123]

What engine?

[Blue198]

I ran a 25 Bravo FS with extra venting and a little cup added by Mark Croxton on a 2014 520c. Merc 250 Pro xs 2 stroke. Had an instant holeshot and great mid range but paled in comparison to a 25 Fury 3 blade on the top end. Boat ran much flatter with the Bravo. I prefered the Fury everywhere except big water (Erie). I could only turn the 25 Bravo to about 5800@67mph.

[E73bass]

What engine?

Merc 4stroke 250 pro xs

[mactlman]

should have a 23p fury likely 24p bravo1 fs a good choice or a 24p tempest

[SteezMacQueen]

should have a 23p fury likely 24p bravo1 fs a good choice or a 24p tempest

You don’t think a 23 Tempest Plus would be better….since the boat is still 600 rpm below redline.

[mactlman]

You don’t think a 23 Tempest Plus would be better….since the boat is still 600 rpm below redline.

maybe fury runs 1 pitch stiffer than a tempest -- 600 below redline so that is 3 pitches which is too much less prop so more info needed? ptp might be off also? or throttle isn't reaching 100%?

[Yatesville Junkie]

I'm running a 24 Bravo FS on my 520L and I'm super happy with it. 250 ProXs 4 stroke.

[Jbass123]

I ran a 25 Bravo FS with extra venting and a little cup added by Mark Croxton on a 2014 520c. Merc 250 Pro xs 2 stroke. Had an instant holeshot and great mid range but paled in comparison to a 25 Fury 3 blade on the top end. Boat ran much flatter with the Bravo. I prefered the Fury everywhere except big water (Erie). I could only turn the 25 Bravo to about 5800@67mph.

Your experience is similar to what I had on the same boat, Blue. I also tried a 25 Bravo on a 2014 520C. Liked it everywhere but top end. I couldn’t even get it to 67 mph, because it just wouldn’t lift the bow, more like 63-64. Later I tried a Croxton Razor 4XL, and it had the same low and mid-range of the Bravo but better top end, around 68 mph. 25 Fury 3-blade with extra venting was a little slower on takeoff but much, much faster on top end with much better bow lift. I kept the Croxton 4-blade and the Fury 3-blade; sent the Bravo down the road. All of these props were new out of the box when I compared results. Note: I run Erie now with a 23 Fury 3-blade on my 4-stroke engine. For some reason I have much less trouble with blowout [in heavy seas] using a 3-blade on this rig than I did when running a 3-blade Fury on 2-stroke engines. Maybe I don’t run as hard now, or maybe the newer hulls are configured differently.

[5-alive]

I run a Bravo1 XS 26p on a 2016 520c - (2 stroke 250 Proxs) - motor likes to be high (not trimmed up) for speed and has a ton of lift when up high.

[Shotgunwilly]

I recommend everyone that is searching for the elusive “best prop” go to YouTube, search for Ken Smith Fishing, look for his video series on props and watch the vids where he interviews the head engineer for props at Mercury Racing. Very informative and you’ll learn there’s way more to a prop than just number of blades and pitch. Finding the best prop for your boat and the way you like it to perform isn’t cheap. It’s trial and error but when you get it right it pays off. There’s so many opinions on props out there and just because it’s coming from someone at a prop shop doesn’t mean it’s the gospel. I found most prop shops said I wouldn’t be happy with a 4 blade were ultimately wrong. I ended up being most happy and getting the best overall performance out of a Mercury Bravo 1 FS. This experience wasn’t on a Ranger but it applies to any brand of boat and motor. Lastly, there’s so many variables when finding your best prop. Your best prop is what makes you happy with the way your boat performs. Two people can have 100% identical boats down to the last detail and one person says the “XYZ” prop is best and the other person says the “ABC” prop is best. If you’re tackling a prop search on your own, educate yourself & BE PATIENT!

[gobbler]

Ken doesn't do much with the prop asked on this forum with that hull , and he moves around in different boat hulls. Like Rangers, then Cats... He's not much help. Especially if you have questions with any chop over four inches. Been down this road. Call Mercury Racing, they'll give you current advice, not the interview. Be sure to specify how many blades too....been down this road and trying to help. Ive committed to just trying 2 new props this year based on Mercury Racings recent advice and not the internet vids. Your dealer can contact them directly if you have no luck.