suzuki prop vs turning point 4 blade prop; looking for advise

[chrisgt]

I am trying to setup the correct prop on my home build aluminum boat, since this is the first one of this design to be constructed, I started with a guess at a 15 pitch from suzuki. Now that I'm through enough break to throttle up, in I'm hitting redline and don't have quite grip on the water I'm looking for, nor does it have very good reverse thrust. I don't really need more speed, I still like the 15p for when I load the boat down with passengers and gear, holeshot for skiing, etc.

In the past I've been very impressed with turning point's 3-blades so I checked for this engine, they only offer the 4-blade (not the one with two different blades) and they claim you don't lose top end with it.

Does anyone have direct experience with their claims? I'm thinking about going with a 15p 4-blade, if their claims are true, i should get the same top end, same economy, better holeshot and more reverse torque. Seems like it shouldn't be possible, but maybe it is too good to be true?
Otherwise I'm open to recommendations. I want to stay with aluminum so I don't wipe out my LU if I hit a rock, and I have never had great performance from the cheap Michigan wheel or Solas props; every time i swap one of those for a turning point it's a whole new boat.


My boat:

 

[Texasmark]

I am trying to setup the correct prop on my home build aluminum boat, since this is the first one of this design to be constructed, I started with a guess at a 15 pitch from suzuki. Now that I'm through enough break to throttle up, in I'm hitting redline and don't have quite grip on the water I'm looking for, nor does it have very good reverse thrust. I don't really need more speed, I still like the 15p for when I load the boat down with passengers and gear, holeshot for skiing, etc.

In the past I've been very impressed with turning point's 3-blades so I checked for this engine, they only offer the 4-blade (not the one with two different blades) and they claim you don't lose top end with it.

Does anyone have direct experience with their claims? I'm thinking about going with a 15p 4-blade, if their claims are true, i should get the same top end, same economy, better holeshot and more reverse torque. Seems like it shouldn't be possible, but maybe it is too good to be true?
Otherwise I'm open to recommendations. I want to stay with aluminum so I don't wipe out my LU if I hit a rock, and I have never had great performance from the cheap Michigan wheel or Solas props; every time i swap one of those for a turning point it's a whole new boat.


My boat:

I have been a Turning Point Hustler prop owner for decades. I like all the things they do to an aluminum prop......however having bought a couple of the dual type 4 blade props, I'm not sure I realized what the designers had in mind.....I would think that having 2 different functioning type blades on a 4 blade props would give you the best of both worlds...surely the designers did their homework on that. I have 2 of those "sitting on the shelf".

On the regular 4 blade design, "I'm guessing" that they are basing their (no speed loss) on the fact that they cup most all their props and most alum. mfgrs. of which I am aware, don't.

 

[chrisgt]

Makes sense, the suzuki prop has no cup and no rake; it's pretty basic. When I changed from such a prop to the same pitch hustler on a different boat I gained a few kts, improved fuel economy, improved hole shot, and gives significantly better grip in the water. I couldn't believe what a difference it made.

I'm hoping that since a 3 blade 15p prop can now easily hit redline, the 4 blade hustler will drop me into a better RPM range and may not even lose speed just because it's more efficient. Not looking for a speed demon, cruising at 20kts makes me perfectly happy.

 

[Texasmark]

Makes sense, the suzuki prop has no cup and no rake; it's pretty basic. When I changed from such a prop to the same pitch hustler on a different boat I gained a few kts, improved fuel economy, improved hole shot, and gives significantly better grip in the water. I couldn't believe what a difference it made.

I'm hoping that since a 3 blade 15p prop can now easily hit redline, the 4 blade hustler will drop me into a better RPM range and may not even lose speed just because it's more efficient. Not looking for a speed demon, cruising at 20kts makes me perfectly happy.

Sounds like you are on the right track having mentioned your speed preference.

 

[Stinnett21]

I have been a Turning Point Hustler prop owner for decades. I like all the things they do to an aluminum prop......however having bought a couple of the dual type 4 blade props, I'm not sure I realized what the designers had in mind.....I would think that having 2 different functioning type blades on a 4 blade props would give you the best of both worlds...surely the designers did their homework on that. I have 2 of those "sitting on the shelf".

On the regular 4 blade design, "I'm guessing" that they are basing their (no speed loss) on the fact that they cup most all their props and most alum. mfgrs. of which I am aware, don't.

Seeking clarification, when you say "On the regular 4 blade design" are you referencing to something other than the "dual geometry" 2 different blades 4 blade aluminum? Reason for asking is that when I look at their website the only aluminum offered in 4 blades (other than the cleaver) is the dual geometry design. Maybe I'm mis-reading you. And when you say "I have been a Turning Point Hustler prop owner for. decades. I like all the things they do to an aluminum prop.", you're referencing the 3 blade?

 

[Texasmark]

Seeking clarification, when you say "On the regular 4 blade design" are you referencing to something other than the "dual geometry" 2 different blades 4 blade aluminum? Reason for asking is that when I look at their website the only aluminum offered in 4 blades (other than the cleaver) is the dual geometry design. Maybe I'm mis-reading you. And when you say "I have been a Turning Point Hustler prop owner for. decades. I like all the things they do to an aluminum prop.", you're referencing the 3 blade?

No sir you are spot on. Apparently they felt that the dual design was a winner based on further in-house testing, or customer feedback. So they discontinued the old design (opinion).

 

[chrisgt]

Maybe I'm misreading their website, but I got the impression the 4-blade prop for a suzuki 90 was a standard 4-blad; in other words not the duel geometry style. I'll be pleasantly surprised if it is, but we'll see. It's on backorder which is probably good, gives me time to get some performance data and fuel economy numbers with the 3-blade suzuki prop.

I could have definitely put a 140 on this boat, i keep thinking about that haha. Not that I NEED the extra power, it'll do 30kts wide open and cruises in heavy chop really well at 20. but ... you know, i'm a guy, i always want more horsepower I tune every vehicle and 2 stroke outboard I own to within an inch of its life, I just can't help myself.

 

[Stinnett21]

I see the "dual geometry" and swept cleaver listed for Suzuki.

 

[chrisgt]

I see the "dual geometry" and swept cleaver listed for Suzuki.

Yes, but it's only listed (as far as i can tell) for the df115A and up; for the larger size gear case. Maybe i'm missing something

 

[Stinnett21]

When I put a Suzuki 90 in their prop wizard it lists the Hustler 4 blade aluminum which I believe is the dual geometry.

 

[chrisgt]

When I put a Suzuki 90 in their prop wizard it lists the Hustler 4 blade aluminum which I believe is the dual geometry.

it depends which one, according to their link here: https://turningpointpropellers.com/_CONTENT/hustler-aluminum-boat-propellers.php

This shows that it's dual geometry for the 4.75" gear case, and just the standard swept cleaver for the 4.25" gear case... even though they bear the same name! It's confusing. I also found out through more poking around you can actually get a 3 blade for the 4.25" gear case, they just don't list it in their prop wizard; turning point makes a great product, their customer support is great, but their website is terrible.