4 blade 5 blade and ss props a myth

[chambers1517]

I went to the marine store today looking for a new prop. My 3 blade aluminum needs replaced. I normally only pull two or three tubes and my kids are small. My boat planes well but around 18mph is as slow as it will plane while tubing and I want to try and improve low speed performance. I have been reading the benifits of 4 and 5 blade props so I thought I would try one. I also wanted stainless. I asked the manager of the store ( big name store) and he said 4 blade 5 blade and ss props were a myth. He stated there is a reason most bots come with a 3 blade prop and stainless is a waste of money. So what do you guys think? Will I benifit fom one of these props considering my intended use. He talked me out of buying one by I want the truth.

 

[Tail_Gunner]

Re: 4 blade 5 blade and ss props a myth

If you have a 100 plus hp boat....ss and blades are not a myth...the salesman is winging it....Now that is a personal opinion and i am sure some with 25hp high perfromance boats will let me know..

 

[05GlastronSX]

Re: 4 blade 5 blade and ss props a myth

Sounds like you need to find a new person to talk to, he clearly has no clue as to what he is talking about.

 

[junior1113]

Re: 4 blade 5 blade and ss props a myth

a 4 blade prop is just what u need for low end performance and lower onplane speeds. my 3 blade dropped the boat at 21-22mph and my four runs on plane at 17-18 mph. to me they are better in every aspect. night and day hole shot improvement. i even get better gas mileage at mid throttle with less slip. low end power plows through rough conditions without slowing down at every wave. i would'nt go back to a 3 blade if they were free. going to 4 from a 3 u need to drop 1" of pitch to create equal wot rpm. couple questions: what type and size boat, type and size motor, and wot rpms and speed with current prop. there are differnt styles of props designed for different types of boats. we can help though

 

[180shabah]

Re: 4 blade 5 blade and ss props a myth

going to 4 from a 3 u need to drop 1" of pitch to create equal wot rpm.

not always, there are 4&5 blade props that swap out for same pitch 3 bladers.

What exactly are we puting this new prop on?

 

[chambers1517]

Re: 4 blade 5 blade and ss props a myth

My boat is a 2005 Caravelle 207. It has a 5.0 mpi in it. It will do 51 mph gps. The rpm I'm not sure about. I bought the boat last year and have not used it very much yet. The tach reads good up to 3000 rpm then it goes nuts. I will fix it when I can. The top speed is plenty, I am more interested in slow speed towing. I had considered trim tabs but my hull has the extended planing surface. It goes past the outdrive on both sides. I was told tabs were not necessary. It planes out immediately but at 18 mph any turn drops me off plane. I found a place that makes props. They say anything a 3 blade will do a 4 blade will do better and anything a 4 blade will do a 5 blade will do better. They did say to drop down 2 pitch with the 5. So what do you guys recommend?

 

[180shabah]

Re: 4 blade 5 blade and ss props a myth

After youfix the tach and can verify that your current prop puts you in the proper WOT range, get a high-five of the same pitch.

 

[05GlastronSX]

Re: 4 blade 5 blade and ss props a myth

Make sure however you fix that tach sooner rather than later, who knows, you could be over-revving the engine, and thats not a good thing. I just bought a mercury enertia 3 blade and gained 4 mph on top end from my 3 blade aluminum, and a bit better hole shot. Handling aspects also improved. SS in a better blade material to use vs aluminum, provided the boat has at least 100-115 hp. Anything lower, your wasting your money.

 

[NelsonQ]

Re: 4 blade 5 blade and ss props a myth

After youfix the tach and can verify that your current prop puts you in the proper WOT range, get a high-five of the same pitch.

Yup, you need to know WOT to pick the right prop.

As for the sales guy, he's talking out the orifice located in his posterior.

I run a 200HP Merc with a SS 5 blade High Five. Hole shot is amazing and you won't drop off in turns with a little throttle play (depends on how hard you're cranking in the turns) The 5 blade gives me better 'grip' in the turns.

I don't think I'd pay the $$$ for SS on small HP engines, but on yours, I would consider it for sure.

 

[junior1113]

Re: 4 blade 5 blade and ss props a myth

not always, there are 4&5 blade props that swap out for same pitch 3 bladers.

What exactly are we puting this new prop on?

never heard or seen that an alluminum 3 blade prop is to create the same wot rpm as a high five of same pitch

 

[Bowser4x4]

Re: 4 blade 5 blade and ss props a myth

I am running a Sea Ray Sundeck 200 with the same 5.0mpi/Alpha 1 combo and went to a High Five from the stock 3 blade Vengeance SS prop. Like you, my top end was fine and actually more than I can use {our main lake that we live on has a 35mph limit}. Kept the same pitch {mine was a 19p->Sun Decks are Heavy boats} and it made a lot of difference. As it was said before, keeps a grip in the corners when I hit it to throw the tube out and has improved the hole shot. I am not sure exactly what I lost top end since I have not had a chance to GPS wide open. But since I kept the 3 blade as a spare, I can always change it out for a big lake.

Woof
Bowser

 

[stimps]

Re: 4 blade 5 blade and ss props a myth

never heard or seen that an alluminum 3 blade prop is to create the same wot rpm as a high five of same pitch

I went from 23 pitch volvo 3 blade to 23pitch high five and have the same wot rpm. I believe it is a smaller diameter and on the mercury website recommends a same pitch exchange. Performance is perfect, awesome pull for wakeboarding and had 48mph last night at 4500 rpm so spot on. I nearly bought a 21p but pleased I stayed with the 23p.

 

[180shabah]

Re: 4 blade 5 blade and ss props a myth

never heard or seen that an alluminum 3 blade prop is to create the same wot rpm as a high five of same pitch

Now you have

Solas Amita4 typically swaps pitch for pitch with the 3 bladers also.