2021 Mercury 250 V8 Pro XS 4 Stroke Prop Tests - Testing Tempest Plus vs Fury

[@rkmrbig]

Thanks for doing a prop series. 20 years ago there was a shop in Alexandria, LA. (Mark Herron owner) that made the LIFTER 4 blade prop. It was a hybrid between a raker and chopper design and was extremely fast with a good hole shot. Most of the top fisherman in the Toledo area were running this prop. It added 6mph to my Stratos XL 201 pro. I had 6 different props that I would use in different conditions and the Lifter outperformed them all. It takes a lot of work doing this type of video and I appreciate your time. Keep up the good work. Take Care.

[@PMantle]

Mark's props always ran best on my boats. I wish he was still doing it.

[@KenSmithFishing]

That stuff is part science but a lot of art

[@mikehardy0007]

Thanks for sharing these videos Ken. I watched all your boat reviews and looking forward now to these prop reviews. Others have said it but prop reviews are very time consuming so great to have you sharing what you learn. Thanks.

[@robertjacobsfishing]

Loved this content. Ken you channel has become my al time favourite!

[@KenSmithFishing]

Thank you sir!

[@lenclark6099]

First time I have ever seen the difference between undrilled and drilled props but have heard about the reasoning behind it. I had faith in what I was hearing by pros but had not seen any proof. Now I have!!! You have been putting forth a lot of effort to bring these tests and results to your subscribers, so THANKS A BUNCH KEN!!!!!

[@KenSmithFishing]

Thanks for tuning in Len

[@jaydoman7540]

Good stuff Ken. Based on my testing of the Tempest Plus, you’re definitely experiencing excessive slippage. I’m wanting to see the difference between 60’s & 80’s water temps. Standing By! 👍😊

[@KenSmithFishing]

Jay you think the diff is water or air temp?

[@jaydoman7540]

Ken, cooler water is denser water is more resistant to deflection THUS more forward thrust is realized.

[@jaydoman7540]

Ken, air temp is also a factor but more so regarding motor performance. My reference to slippage is based on my 2005 TR-196 with a 2005 200 hp Opti turning a 23 pitch Tempest + to 65 mph GPS. Very noticeable transom lift compared to my original 26 pitch Trophy +, 4 blade. I watched your videos with Mercury Racing guru MANY TIMES. What he explains held TRUE regarding the Tempest +. I don’t have the money to try the Fury’s.

[@jaydoman7540]

Damn, I left out main criteria 5500 rpm @ 65 mph!

[@billyparker8903]

Looks like you're gonna be really close to what I use in the end. 24 fury in the summer and a 25 tempest plus in cooler weather but,,, I did have cup added to the tempest due to the lack of lift. You're spot on with the plugs. Took a couple tries figuring out what the boat wanted but it makes a difference for sure.

[@KenSmithFishing]

Did you wind up half plugs on the tempest?

[@billyparker8903]

I ended up with 2 hole open and one small plug

[@ClemonsBoats]

Ran a Jag with the 250 all day yesterday. 24p Fury - tournament load and two guys - 71.2 at 5900. Couldn’t believe we got there but we did! I’m excited to run it with a 4 blade to see how it handles on bigger water (on Lake Erie) and how it effects the top speed.

[@jswartz1999]

new bass cat website looks good and the video with Rick sharing how to hit top speed in bass boat is interesting called Learn to drive

[@danlaur7973]

Ken, try a Bravo XS which has 8 vent holes...you can close them off as needed for your boat/load conditions

[@FishOn1]

I've run a few different props on my 01 Triton TR21 with a 21 ProXS 250. I really liked the Trophy 4 blade 25p, but threw a blade on it. I have also run a Razor 3 blade 25p and a Fury 24p. Both run well, but the boat chine walks badly before either tops out. I am now running a Razor 4 blade 24p that has two sets of three vent holes. I originally had them all open and was having hole shot issues. I plugged them all; three have the largest hole plugs, three have the smallest hole plugs. Hole shot is good now and top end is a bit above 70 at 5800 RPM. I also have an Atlas jackplate that needs to be managed for the best performance. I found it needs to be all the way up for hole shot, but I start running it down as soon as I accelerate to avoid cavetating. As soon as I'm on plane, the Atlas is sitting about half way down, I start running it back up. If I don't the chine walk starts. All in all, I could possibly get a little more top end with a different prop, but I'm pretty happy with it.

[@KenSmithFishing]

You think the props contribute to the chine, or do you think you just have to overtrim those props so you get the chine?

[@FishOn1]

I’m convinced the three blade props are worse about chine walk than the four blades. Four blades seem to provide better boat control, but are a touch slower in the same pitch. I was shocked at how much difference the right PVS plugs make in the hole shot.

[@clarkkinlaw9653]

Ken I’m wondering if your trimming all the way up? One thing about a BassCat that you may not be aware of is that it is really easy to end up over trimmed. I’ve found with my puma is that I trim up till I feel the motor start to open up and then let it top out before adding a few bumps at a time and let it top out before I add more trim. I’ve seen an 2-4 mph increase at the same or less rpm that way. The last few seconds of the video it sounds like the prop is slapping the surface of the water which may be from over trimming rather than motor height causing lack of lift and speed.

[@KenSmithFishing]

Clark I think I've got it dialed in, ran the 24p Fury Friday at 76.5 mph

[@stevecox6104]

Bravo 1 FS (four stroke) has 4 vent holes. Best bravo 1 for the ProXS 4 stroke IMO. Bravo 1 XS is for the old 2 strokes. The FS comes fully plugged and often performs best that way. Also, I have seen 6250 rpm on my ProXS 250 with the 23.5 p Bravo1 FS on a caymas CX21. Ordered a 25 pitch to replace it for more speed.

[@Rob-tl9md]

Bravo 1 xs is what worked best for me on my engine.

[@larrygilpin6429]

I have a 25 Hydromotive it’s a great prop. I wonder what a 24 Chopper would do.

[@shawnz4270]

Ken you really need to see if you can get your hands on a 23 or 24 pitch TXP 3 blade to run. I think it would be a great prop for the Lynx.

[@KenSmithFishing]

What is that?

[@jaydoman7540]

Ken, have you done the interview with Gary Diehl of Mercury Marine yet or are you still waiting on prop availability? I’ve been looking forward to this follow up to the Nick Peterson, 3 part series. Thanks for your efforts, has been a very enlightening journey!

[@KenSmithFishing]

Jay still trying to reconnect with Gary, hope to soon!

[@ufishmore]

Rooster tail seems slightly higher than engine cowl on first two fury prop tests at top end. Lower engine height when trimmed all the way out gives me higher top speed due to better prop bite and better bow lift on my new 2022 Nitro Z21 XL with rooster tail not above height of engine cowl, using 23p 3 blade Fury (hot weather). My set up with full tournament load plus livewells full and passenger I'm hitting mid 69 mph, again lower engine height caused significant top end gains. What was your engine height in these tests Ken?

[@KenSmithFishing]

Interesting point, I may try to have camera facing backwards as well for future test vids

[@vhf2582]

Looking forward to see what the 25 Tempest does.

[@KenSmithFishing]

Me too

[@vhf2582]

@@KenSmithFishing I have a 25 Tempest Plus that has been balanced and blueprint per by Mark Croxton if you would like to try it. I live near Richardson if you would like to meet somewhere and I could give you the prop to try.

[@jjohnston6645]

Ken what camera do you have mounted on your dash?, seems like it has a gyro

[@KenSmithFishing]

It’s the 9 black, they have internal stabilizer, but just FYI they will overheat in the summer I think so to all the processors or some such, the 5 is better in the heat. But also remember that back camera is on a 4 foot YoloTek pole, so that amplifies and side to side

[@danieljohnson8745]

I’m running 24p fury on my new classic it will hit 70 at 5800 I would really suggest sending a fury off to Ronnie Gilbert to get worked

[@russttrader2269]

What fishing forum were you referring to ??

[@glenncivale6824]

All due respect, and I love your video's, holeshot and top end is not everything regardless of how the boat is loaded. One should be looking for efficency. For eg; I'm currently running a 25 Tempest on a 521 VS Ranger with a 225 Opti. Have also run the same prop thru the decades on a 18' 6" Champion with a 175 xri and on a 21 Triton with a 225 Opti. There is an efficiency range for all props where you will get the most speed and performance at a minimum rpm. eg; my ranger will jump up 5-7 mph as soon as I hit 5,100 rpms. My Champion was even better (much lighter boat), 56mph at 4,600 rpms. So with the cost of fuel like it is, a guy needs to throttle back and experiment with mid range speeds and look for the efficiency range to save money. So all I'm saying is there is a prop for one's boat that will work well at all rpms but can save money in the long run if one takes the time to select the most efficient wheel. You may have to sarifice a little holeshot or top end. All the props you are testing will fit the app. But one will save money in the long run if it is more efficient at midrange. My gearhead days are long over and unless its a tournament, I rarely run my motor over 4,000 rpms. IMO. And ty for your efforts!

[@jamesburke5709]

Hello I'm curious here why does bass limit people to just run the 250 series boatmotors on the boats instead of letting them run what they want to run out there cause I know that they make up to I'm thinking a four hundred horsepower motors and as far as the props on them I really don't know much about it other than some helps with the rpms of the motor runs here have a great day now

[@Kdavis8377]

You need to try a Bravo1 FS 25 or 26P.

[@KenSmithFishing]

Just gotta find them

[@ryanganey6406]

Bravo prop Ken ... try it, it will be good on the Lynx

[@KenSmithFishing]

The straight Merc or Merc racing?

[@ryanganey4434]

Mercury Racing ... the lab finish prop seems to get a bit better performance. 25 pitch XS or FS and it will put a smile on your face

[@FishOn1]

Remember your Mercury Racing guy told you that power band is more important and that you might not get the best power at the highest RPM.

[@KenSmithFishing]

Yeah, that's the art in the science

[@garyschroeder3242]

Ken I guarantee Phil Addison can tell you exactly what prop and who you need to send the prop to to get the most out of a linx.

[@KenSmithFishing]

Not sure if I didn’t find something tonight faster than Phil’s prop…. Working on video now

[@garyschroeder3242]

@@KenSmithFishing thats cool. Just know Phil ussually works with his prop guy to get max speed out of his Cat's.

[@civilized5734]

My bet is the 23 Fury 3 blade...should put you just over 6krpms

[@KenSmithFishing]

I think it’ll be best summer prop other than maybe a bravo

[@ryonwilson5997]

Run the boat full and get close then take it to a good prop shop and get it dialed.

[@KenSmithFishing]

Ryon I think I'm just too hard on props to spend that last $300-400 for the prop shop

[@captainron3494]

Fastest ranger I had was 519 with 225 sho 2016 before I went to 520.. at 5800 rpm it would do 73.2 with me and 71.8 with 2 tournament loaded now my 520 250 sho lucky to get 68 funny 225 faster but same motor but different chip. I always wonder if I change chip but that nitro boat gone ooooo sorry ranger lol my new boat Nov is gambler

[@KenSmithFishing]

That’s gonna be a ssssmmmmmidge quicker

[@bommert3816]

Those Bass Cats are made well and perform well, but they sure do look ugly compared to the Rangers.

[@KenSmithFishing]

Hhhmmmm, I’d have to disagree on that one, I’ve always thought they do some of the prettiest glass work

[@kennethroth6757]

I guess u retired from fishing. 🙄

[@KenSmithFishing]

Called a 5 month old….

[@johnkommer2842]

Piece of brass