Merc Test Prop.... Another bust

[Bryden24shp]

I put on the new prop that Merc sent me to try yesterday. Its based on the Pro Max series. 14.5 diameter, 18 pitch. It was good lower RPM's, but above 3000 it slipped terrible. Its a bow raiser, but on the pontoon it lifted the stern so high it cavitated. At 2500 RPM's, ran 23MPH. At 4000 ran 26, 6200 it ran 38. I calculated the slip at over 47%. We ran it for about 3 miles, used 3 gallons of gas. Stopped and did a deep water Revolution 4 swap. It ran 18 at 2500, 32 at 4000 and top end was 46 at 5900 RPM's. Lost 350 RPM's from my same pitch 3 blade Enertia. Ran the rest of the day and burnt 12 gallons total on a 32 mile trip. Slip on the Rev 4 came in at an 18 average on the RPM band.
Pontoons love big eared 3 blades, #1 so far 18 pitch 14.5 diameter Enertia #2 is my 17 pitch 15 3/8 Mirage Plus.
Left the Rev 4 on it, gonna try it out again. The Test prop is going back to Mercury (at $900.00 list price, they can have it)
Made for a fun day.

[pond tuuunes]

I wouldnt mind trying a 3 blade, but people keep telling me, I will spin it off the line.

[Bryden24shp]

With your horsepower you're probably better off with the 4-blade. What are you running JT, a Bravo 1, 4 blade?