2003 Yamaha 90 prop change from 3 to 4 Blade

[X5oh]

I have been reading forums for about two weeks on the 3 to 4 switch. Also used every prop calculator I could find. At present I have a stock Aluminum 13 1/4" 17p RH which allowed me WOT 5700 RPM. Every thing went well till 2 blades got bent fwd, don't ask me how, but I made an in the field adjustment and now need to upgrade. Seeing how the Aluminum 17 worked well, and forum majorities seem to favor a 1" step down pitch, I'm considering going to a 13 1/4" x 16" Pitch 4 Blade. The occassional comment that I may lose some upper end RPM doesn't upset me, I can live with that. What I am concerned about is stern lift. I would like to feel that if stern lift stays with me from hole shot to WOT plane that I'll be able to pull the bow up with tilt trim. If this can not be done I might have to abandon the 4 blade option. I do operate on some wide bays, sounds and large lakes where it can chop up quickly and I sure would appreciate the 4 blade stability because my 3 cavitates occasionally and doesn't like tight turns especially if I have it trimmed up slightly. There doesn't seem to too much difference between The Stilleto and The Turbo Bay Pro except the Stillettos seemed to be out of stock a lot, that says a lot for their demand. Prices on both also seem lower for 4 than for 3, not sure why that is. Also the newer props seem to require a hub kit, will I be able to install the hub or must it be done in a prop shop? My 90 is mounted as low (last holes) on the engine mount and last hole on the trim tilt pin. Das Bot is a 17'8" Palm Beach White Cap Center Console Boat with an Operating weight of 1200#. The engine is direct mount to the transom ( No jack Plate). What I'm looking for here is negativity. (1) Will my electric Tilt trim not be able to compensate for the stern lift on Plane, (2) Is a Four Blade Prop an overkill on a 17 1/2' boat with a 90HP Engine , and (3) am I choosing an unworkable prop for my setup

 

[jestor68]

Pitch selection depends on where you are in your WOT rpm range. If you can afford to lose 150-200 rpm, stay with the same pitch if dealing with props of similar design(same manufacturer).

If switching from a plane jane aluminum to a high rake SS prop, you might need to drop more than 1 inch of pitch in order to maintain rpm.

Almost every different prop(of same pitch) is going to perform differently; some a little, some more than a little.

That's what makes prop selection so much fun.

The only way to do this right is to get with a dealer and try out two or three different props with the understanding that you'll purchase the one that performs best.

That's why it's important to have established a relationship with a dealer. If they know you(as in, you're a "customer"), they are more willing to work with you in testing different (expensive) props.

Four blade props provide some slight stern lift on take off, and a bunch of bow lift at speed.