The Best Propeller has HOW MANY Blades?

[slowpropeller]

I salvaged a boat that had a HIGH-FIVE, a stainless, 5 blade propeller. Would this be worth putting on my boat or stay with the 3 blade aluminum prop?

(I've always thought that it would be better to break a blade off an aluminum prop than to transfer any shock to other parts of the lower end, but the five blade looks cool.)

 

[SkiDad]

Re: The Best Propeller has HOW MANY Blades?

worth a try if it will fit. I think it will slow you down some but have more power.... if the pitch is about the same. I think people get those for water sports if you are into that. If not you can get at least 250.00 for that prop if it's in good condition.

 

[1FASTLASER]

Re: The Best Propeller has HOW MANY Blades?

It all depends on what the desired end result is that a person is looking for. For example offshore racing boats are known to run 5 and even 6 blade props in order to hold in rough seas. There are several variables one must consider on prop choice. In ur case not kneeing what boat and motor or WOT rpms you have or achieve I would say try it. As far as aluminum vs ss I always say ss is superior and others will say aluminum. I want the best as far as a prop is concerned and ss fits that bill Yes u risk possible other damage .... You just have to be careful

 

[achris]

Re: The Best Propeller has HOW MANY Blades?

I salvaged a boat that had a HIGH-FIVE, a stainless, 5 blade propeller. Would this be worth putting on my boat or stay with the 3 blade aluminum prop?

(I've always thought that it would be better to break a blade off an aluminum prop than to transfer any shock to other parts of the lower end, but the five blade looks cool.)

Biggest misconception in the boating industry!! :facepalm:

Having had my own shop and done a LOT of insurance work I have seen all sides of that argument... And it does not hold water. What gets damaged when a prop hits an underwater obstacle depends more on what you had for breakfast than the material the propeller is made from... I've seen stainless props folded up like pieces of paper with all the gears and shafts intact, and I've seen smashed gears and twisted and sheared shaft with nothing more than a nick on an ali prop... I've even seen a broken gimbal ring , ali prop on the end... Of course I have seen the opposite too, but there is no correlation between prop material and gear/shaft/housing damage... Rant over....

High Five is a great prop for skiing, and an ok prop for cruising, but there are better if you're looking for top speed... What is your application?

 

[Texasmark]

Re: The Best Propeller has HOW MANY Blades?

Biggest misconception in the boating industry!! :facepalm:

Having had my own shop and done a LOT of insurance work I have seen all sides of that argument... And it does not hold water. What gets damaged when a prop hits an underwater obstacle depends more on what you had for breakfast than the material the propeller is made from... I've seen stainless props folded up like pieces of paper with all the gears and shafts intact, and I've seen smashed gears and twisted and sheared shaft with nothing more than a nick on an ali prop... I've even seen a broken gimbal ring , ali prop on the end... Of course I have seen the opposite too, but there is no correlation between prop material and gear/shaft/housing damage... Rant over....

High Five is a great prop for skiing, and an ok prop for cruising, but there are better if you're looking for top speed... What is your application?

Very interesting comment concerning prop material. Relieved me of a long standing misconception. I run SS props and it's comforting that I don't have to sacrifice that desire necessarily to protect the engine internal parts. Like you said, just like everything else in boating, it depends!

Thanks,
Mark

 

[doyall]

Re: The Best Propeller has HOW MANY Blades?

I am a serial prop changer (propoholic) and frequently experiment(ed) with various aluminum, SS and composites on my current (VP DP) and former (OMC Cobra) drive(s). I would opine that the diameter, pitch, blade count, cupping, etc. are far more important parameters than material. I would venture to say that the exact same parametered prop, exclusive of meterial, will have little or no discernible seat-of-the-pants performance differential based on material. Very small, measurable performance differences at the extremes, maybe, but nothing readily noticeable in real world, every day usage. Durability differences, absolutely. JMO.

 

[slowpropeller]

Re: The Best Propeller has HOW MANY Blades?

Answer to application question:

The boat is a '67 Tollycraft, 24ft. Express Cruiser with a 305 ci/Mercruiser. According to papers from the manufacturer, it was supposed to top out at 34 MPH, with the original OMC drive, and weighs in at 3960 lbs.

 

[achris]

Re: The Best Propeller has HOW MANY Blades?

Answer to application question:

The boat is a '67 Tollycraft, 24ft. Express Cruiser with a 305 ci/Mercruiser. According to papers from the manufacturer, it was supposed to top out at 34 MPH, with the original OMC drive, and weighs in at 3960 lbs.

And what would you like from the 'new' propeller? Are you looking for top speed, hole shot, grip in turns?

 

[slowpropeller]

Re: The Best Propeller has HOW MANY Blades?

Top speed.

 

[achris]

Re: The Best Propeller has HOW MANY Blades?

Generally, for top speed, less blades is better...