Bravo 3 proper pitch???

[Z3cta]

Morning all
I have a 2004 Chaparral 260 SSi with the 496 HO / Bravo 3 XR. Now it has a P26 3 blade. What would be the proper pitch to achieve better performance? I struggle to get on the plane when I am loaded and top speed also suffers
Thank you y'all

 

[alldodge]

When you have it normally loaded (people, fuel, gear) what is the WOT rpm?
Also what is the drive gear ratio?

 

[Z3cta]

When you have it normally loaded (people, fuel, gear) what is the WOT rpm?
Also what is the drive gear ratio?

honestly do not know any of that info
This has been a frustrating issue for a couple of years but have never looked into it till now

How do I find out the drive ratio?

 

[QBhoy]

See if you can get ratio...but my head is telling me you shouldn’t struggle with that set up at all. That said...lots of people in the rearward of these boats and a full fuel tank will have an influence.
not of any great comparison right now (until we know the ratio and what rpm you see), but a friend has a maxum 2400 (almost as big) with a 350 mag mpi (less power) and B3’s with 26” props. That thing is amongst the quickest accelerating boats above 21ft I’ve been on. It will go all the way to its 5000 rpm at about 50 mph gps. It’s perfectly propped at that. Quite rare for these B3’s to be poorly propped to the hull in general I’d think.

 

[alldodge]

With the drive being an XR it will have 19/16 gears in the top.

Not finding what the boat came with in a Merc, but does show a 1:65 ratio with VP. Not finding the same ratio in a XR Merc, but might be its a 1:48

Your motor should be able to reach 4600-5000 rpm

 

[blamtro]

If you end up changing props, check out Hill Marine 4x4s for the Bravo 3. I went from 26p 3 blades to 22p 4 blades.

 

[Z3cta]

If you end up changing props, check out Hill Marine 4x4s for the Bravo 3. I went from 26p 3 blades to 22p 4 blades.

what kind of improvement did you see? I am thinking to go to a P24 too

 

[blamtro]

In my opinion, huge improvement.

https://forums.iboats.com/forum/gen...-and-topics/10769134-prop-help-formula-br-280