Bumping because the 2018 season is well under way and I’m still wanting to try more props. I’ve only had the boat out twice. I took the time to get my Bimini top sorted and adjusted right which makes boating much nicer without the sun beating down. It’s also a Taylor made Bimini and the tag says to not exceed 30-35mph. On the first outing I stuck to my tried and true 21P mirage plus. Didn’t do top speed runs. I just wanted to be on the water.
The second outing I put on the Q4. Because it was a Saturday, on the Severn, and Memorial Day weekend, it was pure chop, and high traffic. Top was up, so no high speed running. I really wanted to like this prop. I bought it brand spanking new last fall when I was in Florida. It looks really cool too. But here’s the thing. It offers no performance advantage over the 21P mirage plus. The Q4/rev4 is meant to run near the surface in aerated water. That’s where it shines. Alpha 1 drives sit relatively deep. I think it’s time to put the Q4 on the sale block and move on. It should move quick because the Q4 is in short supply this year.
On my my next outing I’ll run the 23P mirage plus I picked up and had tuned up last fall. I’ll see what it does and post the results. Its performance will help determine the pitch I’ll go with on the next prop I pick up. I suspect the 23P mirage plus will also end up for sale.
The Quicksilver lightspeed 23P was the first SS prop I bought. Never much cared for it. Time for it to go.
Ive got a small gearcase laser 2 in 22P. It’s a bit beat up. I’m not sure if there’s much demand for these small gearcase props or if I can recoup my costs if I have it refurbed and rehubbed.
lastly I’ve got the 23P mirage (not a plus) that I picked up for almost nothing. I need to see if I should sell as is, or refurb.
For much of the winter I’ve been thinking about the Tempest plus. But this prop is really a 3 blade rev4/Q4. It too prefers to run right near the surface. The lack of a 4th blade might reduce drag enough to get the slip down, but I’m not eager to bet $500+ on that.
If I can clear the existing inventory, I think I’ll have a 22P enertia in my future.