3-blade, 4-blade ???

[JimS123]

On my last few boats, whether inboard or outboard, I have always put on a 3-blade SS prop. I have always felt that I have gotten better performance in doing so.

Last year my son bogught a new Stingray 210 Cuddy with a 5L Mercruiser. There is no question that the dealer installed the wrong prop. It gets good speed, but won't plane with over 2 people on board.

So, we are in the market for a SS prop. The usage will mostly be cruising, some slow canal running and some tubing. No waterskiing.

I'm not asking for a pitch recommendation; we'll chart the speed and RPM data to get the right one. My question is regarding a 4-blade prop. OIur local prop shop pushes them heavily. I tink a std. 3-blade would be good. Any comments regarding the differences we would expect to see from the two?

 

[steelespike]

Re: 3-blade, 4-blade ???

Generally speaking the 4 blade is for improved low end performance.Usually
at a cost of a little top end.I would stick with a 3 blade if it was mine to do.

 

[lrdchaos]

Re: 3-blade, 4-blade ???

If you looking at slow cruising, I would go with the four blade. When I switched from a 3 to a 4....I lost a little top end, but gained mid-range cruising speed for the same rpms. I can also stay on plane at slower speeds and holeshot was improved.