Formula 223

[Skidood]

Hi all.
Recently bought this boat, which came with an older aluminum 3 blade prop. I'm pretty sure the prop is at least 12 years old, because the previous owner would not have replaced it the whole time he owned the boat.

Engine: 454 330 HP Bravo 1 drive
The boat tops out at 52 mph. The max RPM is right around where it should be.
I want to get a new Merc Quicksilver Mirage Plus S/S prop. The factory specified prop is a Mirage S/S 14-5/8 dia. 23 pitch.

I'd like to to gain a few mph on the top end, 58 would be nice. My question is, would the factory specified prop be OK, or do you think
I should order the Mirage 25 (14-1/2 dia) Any 223 owners out there running either of these?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Bifflefan]

Re: Formula 223

Switching from a 23 to a 25, one of three things will happen.

1, You will gain about 2 or 3 mph. RPM stay the same.
2, You will not gain speed, RPM will drop.
3, Speed, and RPM will drop.

You will have to try it with your boat to see what is going to happen. A 6 mph gain is going to be hard to get.