4 blade aluminum prop for Q4 - anybody run on their Tahoe?

[fish hook]

Want to order a Vortex 4 blade today. Still deciding on 18p or 20p. My current Vortex 3 blade 19p works well i'm just afraid of losing the holeshot by going to the 20p 4 blade. Might just settle on the 18p as the top end is less attractive to me that hole shot and pulling for water sports. I have a 3 blade 21p I can always throw on for cruising. Anyone know of a reason to not go with the 18p? Anyone run either of these on their Tahoe??(my boat is an 04 Tahoe Q4 with the 4.3 - no smart tabs)

 

[Rentaltux]

Re: 4 blade aluminum prop for Q4 - anybody run on their Tahoe?

I have a 21P 4 blade on my Q6 4.3 190hp which I like. I can't complain about holeshot, seems good but I have nothing to compare it to. WOT I get about 46mph. I would like to try a different prop just to compare. I was thinking 21P 3 blade. Thats what it came with from the factory I believe.

 

[BoatDrinksQ5]

Re: 4 blade aluminum prop for Q4 - anybody run on their Tahoe?

I thought that acceleration/holeshot was better with a 4-blade due to more metal in the water, for watersports and low speed handling? ...but more metal in the water drags at highspeeds (1-2mph hit)...

I will definitely be going to 4blade when my black, and silver , prop is sufficiently "used up" lol...

mine is a 3 blade , 14"x 23p, according to my records on my computer. so i was probably just going to go 4blade 21p? (general rule of -2p for extra blade, IIRC)

 

[jrampey]

Re: 4 blade aluminum prop for Q4 - anybody run on their Tahoe?

What do you hope to accomplish with the new prop? The extra blade will decrease slippage - but with another blade in the water it will add drag. All other things equal (pitch), 4 blades will bite better on takeoff, but suffer lower max rpm (and top speed) because of increased drag. Typically people buy 4 blade props to get more holeshot... and typically subtract 1 or 2 inches of pitch.

I have 17, 19, and 21" 4 blade aluminum props... and a 24" 3 blade SS prop. I use the 4 blade props for watersports all summer - If I have a bunch of people in the boat I use the 17". Normally use the 19" It yanks me up on 1 ski with 3 or 4 people in the boat. Early spring and late fall when its me and the wife cruising I put the 3 blade SS on - Boat will struggle to get on plane but then cruises at lower RPM.

 

[fish hook]

Re: 4 blade aluminum prop for Q4 - anybody run on their Tahoe?

Thanks everyone. I'm ordering the 18p today

 

[PrinceValium]

Re: 4 blade aluminum prop for Q4 - anybody run on their Tahoe?

What do you hope to accomplish with the new prop? The extra blade will decrease slippage - but with another blade in the water it will add drag. All other things equal (pitch), 4 blades will bite better on takeoff, but suffer lower max rpm (and top speed) because of increased drag. Typically people buy 4 blade props to get more holeshot... and typically subtract 1 or 2 inches of pitch.

I have 17, 19, and 21" 4 blade aluminum props... and a 24" 3 blade SS prop. I use the 4 blade props for watersports all summer - If I have a bunch of people in the boat I use the 17". Normally use the 19" It yanks me up on 1 ski with 3 or 4 people in the boat. Early spring and late fall when its me and the wife cruising I put the 3 blade SS on - Boat will struggle to get on plane but then cruises at lower RPM.

Sounds like you need some Smart Tabs!!

 

[saintv90]

Re: 4 blade aluminum prop for Q4 - anybody run on their Tahoe?

I just recently got a 15p Merc Revolution 4 blade SS blade. It absolutely rips out of the water! I love it! I've only lost about 3-5 mph on the top end...which doesn't bother me since the family doesn't like going that fast anyways.

 

[sw6416]

Re: 4 blade aluminum prop for Q4 - anybody run on their Tahoe?

4 Blade and some trim tabs and it will drive like a new boat! ......... put a 4 blade on my mine, before loaded with people and gear ice ect it was very sluggish to get up on plane and towing a tube with 4 or 5 people was very hard, now it gets right up on plane doing both. Hole shot is much improved and never feels under powered anymore. Lost 2-3 MPH top end but never run it WOT for very long 25-30 is my cruising speed.

 

[jrampey]

Re: 4 blade aluminum prop for Q4 - anybody run on their Tahoe?

Sounds like you need some Smart Tabs!!

Got them... but you're right - without them these boats are pigs.

 

[tahoejag]

Re: 4 blade aluminum prop for Q4 - anybody run on their Tahoe?

Went to a 4 blade alum 14x20 MW Vortex. I run 60# smart tabs in hole #4. The only con was a loss of top speed which was only 2 mph coming from a 3 blade 14.25x21p. Everything else was a remarkable improvement. I would recommend the 4 blade prop highly! It runs at 4800 WOT, top speed 47.5 gps speed, with average/heavy load.

 

[Foster86]

Re: 4 blade aluminum prop for Q4 - anybody run on their Tahoe?

I have a Stainless 4 blade Solas Titian on my Q5 (14x21). Amazing difference in hole shot, maybe 3-5 mph loss @ top end. Vast improvement in the elimination of cavitation in cornering. You won't be disappointed in overall performance and it just looks better!!

 

[PrinceValium]

Re: 4 blade aluminum prop for Q4 - anybody run on their Tahoe?

I was wondering how the Mercury Revolution 4 (4 blade) stainless props are....I always hear people raving about them but I wonder how much of a difference I would feel from my 3 blade?

 

[saintv90]

Re: 4 blade aluminum prop for Q4 - anybody run on their Tahoe?

I was wondering how the Mercury Revolution 4 (4 blade) stainless props are....I always hear people raving about them but I wonder how much of a difference I would feel from my 3 blade?

Love mine! I had the good fortune of being able to test multiple blades before buying. The four blade held amazingly in the turns and really launched me out of the water better than the enertia and high five.

 

[PrinceValium]

Re: 4 blade aluminum prop for Q4 - anybody run on their Tahoe?

Love mine! I had the good fortune of being able to test multiple blades before buying. The four blade held amazingly in the turns and really launched me out of the water better than the enertia and high five.

I have a 20P Enertia right now and according to the book for the Revolution is says to keep the same pitch.