Venus XT prop advice

[rev.ronnie]

Hi all, I'm new here. HAd a few HS's over the years, now the latest.

Here's my question. I need a little advice on a prop.

What I have is; A 1987 Venus XT, 1988 200 Yamaha, 6" CMC plate, Low water pickup CLE lower, torque tab, drilled exh. below cav. plate (6 holes, 5/16 ea.) and a Ballistic 25XL 4 blade prop with a solid welded hub. Prop shaft is 1-1.5" below the pad.

Currently runs 69-70 mph at 56-5700 rpm with full trim and a 2 degree positive wedge. This is with 1/2 tank and 2 people.

2 questions..I would like a better prop. Any ideas or good ones with this combo? This one slips a bit till you get it flying over 50, then you really feel it "hook up"

Ron Hill recommended a Eagle 4 blade 26 pitch.

I am going to pull the heads and mill them .050" this month. I will also put a better air intake on it.

One other thing..it burns out the rear propshaft seals in a quick hurry..I rebuilt the lower last Aug and it cooked them in very few hours use. They were shot when I got the boat too. Could it be a cooling isue with the welded hub? Water collects in the cavity and it does not flow around in any way. I just want an over the hub prop, I think it will fix it.

I have a pretty common set up I think, and would like a little comparitive data from some others on here if possible.

Thanks in advance, Ron

[ccrick]

Don't know a lot about set up on a venus. I know they were the fastest 20 footer. Should be simulat to a vegas. Check this out. http://www.hydrostream.org/TechTalk/TechTalk.htm

Hope it helps
Rick.

[hydrostream76]

chris thomas had one, check out his vids
http://www.hydrostream.org/Videos/Videos.htm
his went 96.5 he's in the 90 mph list,
http://www.hydrostream.org/TopGuns.htm
says he used a 30" Lightning ET prop
i don't know the guy personally, but i did see his boat for sale on kijiji out in B.C.
dunno if he sold it

[hydrostream76]

http://www.mertenmarine.com/servlet/the-Mercury-Racing-Propellers-cln-Lightning-E.T./Categories

[77viper]

I ran a 27 srx on my xt vegas with a 200 mariner for a everyday prop. I have a 24 lightning for drag racing and love it, I have thought about trying a 28 lightning but the boat funds are non existent at the moment.

[rev.ronnie]

Well the Vegas being a bit lighter than my Venus, I'll bet Hill is right on with the 26. Are you running a 4 blade?

[rev.ronnie]

Ok, I see the link. Lightning 3 blade. I think the 4 blade acts bigger due to the increased blade area. 4 blade 26 is equivalant to a 28 3 blade give or take.. I may take Hill up on his Eagle 26 4 blade from the sounds of what I'm hearing.

[ccrick]

For all out speed I'd stick with a 3 blade, more bow lift. JMO I was thinking of getting a trophy or something like that and got talked out of it because of that reason.

[77viper]

I haven't tried a 4 blade yet but I want to try one out. I did have a 25 high 5 when I bought the boat with the motor bolted to the transom I liked the acceleration but haven't tried it with any setback.

[hydrostream76]

i was told to try a 4 blade hoss triton once
from what i was told if i go 3 blade i might get let's say 95 mph topped out
or with a 4 blade triton the same boat might do 90 all day with just about anyone behind the wheel
chine walk isn't as bad with the 4 blade
i guess it all comes down to what you want or need
i haven't tried a 4 blade yet, doin' 90 with anyone behind the wheel sounds good, lol
triton prop blades are thinner, i would imagine a good prop for top end

http://hossprops.com/index.html