New Blackhawk drives

[Magic Float]

Mercruiser is closingout remaining new Blawkhawk drives. They have 2 1.36,over 10 1.50,and 9 1.65. Original list was $13705,new list is $8057. Brand new with "latest Bravo X gear technology"As is,no warranty.This is from a newsletter dealers received Friday

[Greg Maier]

Thanks for letting us know. If I needed to replace my Blackhawk, I would take that $8000 and put it towards an Arneson Conversion kit.

[Woodsy]

Robert...

Ping me if you can find some props... specifically, a set of 31P's and set of 27P's....

Woodsy Von Donzi..
dwood@ll.mit.edu

[Greg Maier]

Woodsy,
When I was searching for some new props, I was told by Mercury that there are 25 31pitch front props in a warehouse, but they don't have any rear props in inventory. Also, the guy at Mercury told me that they are kicking around the idea of producing more Blackhawk props.

[blackhawk]

Yeah, 8k is a little steep. I could have bought a brand new one for half that and I am still kicking myself in the ass for not buying it as a spare. I sure would like to have a 1.36 though.

[boldts]

Just a dumb question here, but why would you want a 1.36 when you could turn more pitch with say the 1.5 or 1.6? Reason I ask is cause I have a 1.36 Bravo1 and because the engine is just a 454 MAG (Carb), I am having a heck of a time finding props that I can run on the boat. I have a turbo that I like very much, but even it only turns 4600. I understand that the Blackhawk does not have a big varity of props to run either.

[blackhawk]

Scott,

I would like to have a 1.36 because if I ever get the money(and the balls) to add some serious hp to my boat I will have to have a 1.36.

Bone stock motor with my 1.5 and 31's(the biggest they make)I run 4800 rpm at WFO and the tabs up. So, if I ever add some serious hp I will not be able to prop it with a 1.5.

[Ranman]

I guess this is sort of related. I found the below quote on the BAM Marine website. It may explain why my boat runs so strong. My boat with its 1.65 Bravo and 25P Mirage Plus seems to out run the standard 350MAG 1.5 Bravos running a 23P Mirage Plus.

Blackhawk, I think you are correct in your "big horsepower" theory along with the limited availability of BH props.


In my experience, a boat will run the fastest with a higher numerical drive ratio assuming you can find a prop with enough pitch to limit the engine to the desired RPM at full throttle. This does not take into account any handling or bow/stern lift issues.
The theory is that the faster a prop rotates the more power it takes just to turn it in the water. A slower turning prop with more pitch is more efficient than a faster turning prop with less pitch even though the calculation for theoretical speed is the same for both.

[blackhawk]

When I was testing "the experiment" I had a 1.65 blackhawk drive on the back. I only lost 2-3 mph top speed and it accelerated like mad!

I wish I would have tried my stock props with the 1.65 just to compare.