281/283 with twins

[Mink]

Close friend is purchasing a 1991 281 with twin 454 carb 310hp motors, bravo drives - what should we expect with this setup? Any recommendation on what props it will prefer?

Optimistically would like to get the boat running solid upper 60s, maybe even 70?

 

[SCT]

Mink, is the boat coming out of Cincy or the Rochester, NY area?

 

[Mink]

Mink, is the boat coming out of Cincy or the Rochester, NY area?

It's here in Columbus,Oh - I believe it came from Illinois before the current owner


My 1994 however is believed to of spent most it's life in NY

 

[Mink]

Picked the 281 up today, currently running 22p bravo 4 blades with 1.50 ratio drives - going to take my 23p 5 blades (my 283 has 1.36 ratio) with us to try early next week.

I spin the props in on my 283, going to do the same with the 281 and see how it feels

 

[hotstang_46]

Never ran it, but my 283 came with 23p 3 blade stainless. Boat was purported to run 70. Had 454 mags, props spinning in. Just speaking with Brett at b blades in my efforts to dial in and I did bring up a 5 blade but he appears to really like the bravo 4 blade for our hull. I do have a 4 blades on mine right now but I'm getting over 20% slip so we will see where it goes! I know that doesn't help much, but good luck!

 

[Mink]

So had the 281 on the water, props spinning out and only running 4600 rpm max it ran 62 on how ...gonna play with some things but thinking a comfy 65-70 won't be an issue

 

[demag67]

I have a 281 with 2 300 mercs hanging off the back. Fastest so far is 74 spinning out. Spinning in was 70. That was on fresh water with gps.

 

[hotstang_46]

Mink, you are switching to spinning in correct? We are trying to find the culprit to my slip % and he is adamant that in the best for our boats.

 

[Old Navy]

Maybe you could call Kip at the factory and ask a few questions. The last owner of the Black boat told me it ran 93 on factory trials with the Bulldog motors. Round ear props and all. Good Luck.

 

[Mink]

Mink, you are switching to spinning in correct? We are trying to find the culprit to my slip % and he is adamant that in the best for our boats.

Yes we will be spinning the 281 in but likely won't know what happens till spring.

My 283 spins in and no issues with slip but I run 5 blades due to my extension boxes

 

[DropTop5.0]

I don't know if this helps but my 251 has twin 200's spinning out to the tune of 73 once and over 70 several times. We lost speed spinning in the one time we tried it.

Keep us posted as it's nice to hear about different setups and such.

 

[SCT]

Drop, my dual OB 300 also ran a few mph faster spinning out but handled much better at cruise and around the dock spinning in.

 

[hotstang_46]

I'm not an expert but as it's been explained to me, we need to spin in because it's preferential for a boat heavy in the rear. However I may just switch my props and try this weekend in the hunt to find out why I'm getting soooooo much slip and running so slow.

 

[check253]

Spinning the props in induces bow lift. Spinning out induces stern lift. The Punisher prefers spinning in.