If you've been hunting for that perfect balance of speed and control, the mercury bravo 1 fs 24p is likely one of the first names that popped up in your search. It's one of those propellers that has earned a bit of a cult following among bass boaters and multi-species anglers, and for good reason. It isn't just about how fast you can go in a straight line; it's about how the boat handles when the water gets a little choppy or when you've got a full livewell and a heavy partner on board.
Choosing a prop is usually a massive headache. You spend hours looking at pitch, diameter, and rake, hoping you don't waste a thousand dollars on a "paper weight" that doesn't actually help your hole shot. But the Bravo 1 FS series, specifically in that 24-pitch sweet spot, seems to be the "fix-it" prop for a lot of modern outboard setups.
What Makes the FS Different?
The "FS" in the name stands for Four Stroke, though don't let that fool you—it works incredibly well on two-strokes like the older Pro XS models too. Mercury basically took their legendary Bravo 1 design, which was originally a sterndrive staple, and tweaked it specifically for high-performance outboards. They shortened the exhaust tube and added those PVS (Performance Vent System) holes that we all love to tinker with.
By shortening that tube, they managed to get more stern lift. If you've ever felt like your boat's backend was dragging or "plowing" through the water at mid-range speeds, that's exactly what this prop is designed to fix. The 24P version is particularly popular because it sits right in that Goldilocks zone for 225hp to 300hp engines. It's steep enough to give you a solid top end, but because it's a four-blade, it still bites the water hard enough to get you on plane without feeling like you're waiting for a miracle.
That Legendary Hole Shot
Let's talk about the hole shot, because that's usually where the mercury bravo 1 fs 24p really earns its keep. If you're running a three-blade prop right now, you know that "spin-up" feeling where the engine screams but the boat stays flat for a few seconds before finally breaking over.
With the four-blade design of the FS, you've got more surface area grabbing the water. When you bury the hot foot, the boat just "pops." It's a much more linear, aggressive lift. For tournament guys who need to beat the crowd or just someone who wants to get on plane in shallow water, this is a massive advantage. You don't get as much of that bow-high attitude that obscures your vision for those critical three or four seconds.
Tuning with the PVS System
One of the coolest things about this specific prop is how much you can mess with it to make it perfect for your specific rig. The PVS holes allow you to vent exhaust gases over the blades. This might sound counterintuitive—why would you want air on your blades? Well, it allows the engine to rev up faster during the initial take-off, getting you into the power band of the motor sooner.
With a mercury bravo 1 fs 24p, you can swap out those little plastic plugs. If your boat is struggling to get the RPMs up on takeoff, you go with a larger hole or pull the plugs entirely. If you're blowing out too much or losing grip, you put the solid ones in. It's a simple, low-tech way to fine-tune a very high-tech piece of equipment, and it makes the 24P pitch even more versatile across different boat weights.
Handling and Mid-Range Stability
Once you're actually up and moving, the four-blade design changes the way the boat feels under your hands. It's often described as feeling like the boat is "on rails." You get a lot less of that "skipping" feeling in the turns. If you've ever felt your prop lose grip and the RPMs skyrocket when you're trying to navigate a winding river or a tight creek, you'll appreciate the 24P Bravo 1 FS. It stays hooked up.
The mid-range is where I think this prop shines the most, though. On those days when the lake is a mess and you can't run wide open, you need to be able to stay on plane at lower speeds. This prop allows you to back off the throttle and still keep the hull up and out of the water. It's a much more comfortable ride for your passengers, and it's a lot easier on your fuel consumption when you aren't constantly toggling the throttle to stay leveled out.
Top End Speed: The Great Trade-Off
Now, if we're being honest, you usually trade a tiny bit of top-end speed when you go from a three-blade to a four-blade. If you're running a light boat and your only goal is to see the biggest number possible on the GPS, a three-blade Fury or Tempest might give you another 1 or 2 MPH.
However, for 90% of boaters, that extra couple of miles per hour isn't worth the loss in handling and hole shot. The mercury bravo 1 fs 24p is surprisingly fast, though. Because it's so efficient at lifting the stern, it reduces the amount of hull drag, which often makes up for the extra drag created by the fourth blade. Many guys find that they don't actually lose any speed at all, especially on heavier fiberglass boats that need that extra lift to get the hull out of the water.
Who is the 24P Pitch For?
The 24-pitch is a bit of a "universal donor" in the prop world. It's perfect for a 20-foot bass boat with a 225hp or 250hp motor. If you're running a 21-footer with a 300hp, you might find yourself hitting the rev limiter and needing to move up to a 25P or 26P. But for the average guy running a modern Pro XS or Verado, the 24P keeps the RPMs right in that 5800-6200 sweet spot where the engine is most happy.
It's also a fantastic choice for the new breed of high-performance multi-species boats. If you've got a big Lund or Ranger deep-V that you use for walleye fishing on big water like Erie or the Great Lakes, the Bravo 1 FS provides the bow control you need to navigate those big rollers without stuffing the nose.
Durability and Maintenance
Mercury builds these things out of their "Pro Max" stainless steel alloy. It's tough stuff. You can feel the quality when you pull it out of the box—the edges are crisp, and the finish is mirror-like. That said, because it's a high-performance prop, you want to keep it clean. Even a small nick or a slight bend in one of those four blades can cause vibration that'll eventually wear out your lower unit seals.
If you do hit something, getting a four-blade repaired is a bit more expensive than a three-blade, just by virtue of the extra work involved. But the trade-off is a prop that's inherently more balanced. Four blades naturally cancel out some of the vibration that three blades produce, which can actually be easier on your engine over the long haul.
Final Thoughts on the Investment
At the end of the day, the mercury bravo 1 fs 24p isn't exactly a cheap accessory. It's a serious investment in how your boat performs. But if you think about how much you spend on fuel, insurance, and tournament fees, having a prop that makes your boat easier to drive and more responsive is worth every penny.
It takes the stress out of driving. You aren't constantly fighting chinewalk, you aren't worried about whether you can get on plane with three guys and a full tank of gas, and you aren't sliding out in every turn. It's about confidence. When the boat does exactly what you tell it to do, you can focus on fishing or just enjoying the day. If you're tired of "fighting" your boat, swapping over to a 24P Bravo 1 FS might be the single best upgrade you can make this season.