3 blade vs 4 blade for better hole shot.

[Ripfence]

Hi all. I am new to boating and this is my first post. I have a 19' Nitro fish and ski with a 150 optimax engine. The dry weight of the boat is around 2,000 lbs and the current prop is a SS 21p Mercury Laser II. The max recommended RPM for my engine 1s 5,500 (according to the folks at Tracker Marine where I purchased the boat). With my current setup, I can run in the mid to upper 50s which is plenty fast enough for me. <br /><br />OK, now that I have provided you with the back story, my question is this, when my boat is fully loaded it takes longer than I would like to get on plane. There is also a considerable bow rise when taking off. If I switched to a 4 blade prop would it improve my hole shot considerably? Would I see better results with trim tabs or a hydrofoil?<br /><br />Any help would be appreciated.

 

[xltier]

Re: 3 blade vs 4 blade for better hole shot.

trim tabs help alot for getting up on plane quick.i went with a foil for cost reasons and it helped me alot on my bow rider.i would never go without now,one or the other.tabs are great,you can adjust under way.

 

[stevens]

Re: 3 blade vs 4 blade for better hole shot.

Provided you are already operating the power trim properly; the biggest improvement on bow rise and holeshot would probably be gained from trim tabs.<br /><br />There'll be a great number of people here on this forum that would recommend the Smart Tabs. These are also especially suited for a novice boater as you don't have to fiddle with them after they've been installed.<br /><br />Now, with proper use of power trim and suitable tabs in place, a four-blade prop may also allow you to more quickly get on plane at a (slightly) lower speed. However, the difference will probably not be as pronounced as that of the tabs.

 

[Ripfence]

Re: 3 blade vs 4 blade for better hole shot.

I have the use of the power trim pretty well down. I was just hoping the boat might pop up on plane a little faster than it does. So you think the tabs would work better than the prop? How much would I expect to pay for a set?<br /><br />

Originally posted by Stevens:<br /> Provided you are already operating the power trim properly; the biggest improvement on bow rise and holeshot would probably be gained from trim tabs.<br /><br />There'll be a great number of people here on this forum that would recommend the Smart Tabs. These are also especially suited for a novice boater as you don't have to fiddle with them after they've been installed.<br /><br />Now, with proper use of power trim and suitable tabs in place, a four-blade prop may also allow you to more quickly get on plane at a (slightly) lower speed. However, the difference will probably not be as pronounced as that of the tabs.

 

[stevens]

Re: 3 blade vs 4 blade for better hole shot.

Here you go:<br /><br /> http://www.iboats.com/mall/index.cgi?keywords=smart tabs&view_id=55646 <br /><br />and:<br /><br /> http://www.nauticusinc.com/system_overview.htm <br /><br />Apparently, the "blemished" are virtually spotless (edit: but I haven't seen these myself). I am sure NautiJohn or somene will chime in soon but, in my opinion, this is the best upgrade $130 will buy you...

 

[Ripfence]

Re: 3 blade vs 4 blade for better hole shot.

Thanks, I will look into them. Should I have a professional install them? Also, do you think that they would void my boat's warranty

 

[Tail_Gunner]

Re: 3 blade vs 4 blade for better hole shot.

Not so spotless the chrome finish is gone,or at least on my tabs. Its a dull stainless steel, had i know that i might have went with new ones. Unless that is they are not a highly polished finished in that case there flawless........

 

[Ron G]

Re: 3 blade vs 4 blade for better hole shot.

Have you ran the boat alot yet?what is the cavation plate height compared on the boat,you may be able to raise your motor to get a better holeshot,is there a jackplate.

 

[Ripfence]

Re: 3 blade vs 4 blade for better hole shot.

Originally posted by Ron G:<br /> Have you ran the boat alot yet?what is the cavation plate height compared on the boat,you may be able to raise your motor to get a better holeshot,is there a jackplate.

The boat runs pretty well when the load isn't maxed out. It plains pretty quickly but I have noticed that it falls of plain and a faster speed than I would like. It is a fish and ski so that characteristic doesn't bother the fishing aspect but I am afraid I would have to pull a skier faster than I'd like in order to stay on plain.

 

[Ron G]

Re: 3 blade vs 4 blade for better hole shot.

So your WOT rpms are 5500 right now?if your running and throttle back and trim down a little it falls off plane?trim tabs maybe a good answer for you cause it will get ya up on plane at a slower speed from what ive read,or if your rpms are that low you may be able to drop a pitch in prop and may help with your holeshot and planing but your going to lose some speed and gain rpms.that is a pretty heavy boat.

 

[Ripfence]

Re: 3 blade vs 4 blade for better hole shot.

Originally posted by Ron G:<br /> So your WOT rpms are 5500 right now?if your running and throttle back and trim down a little it falls off plane?trim tabs maybe a good answer for you cause it will get ya up on plane at a slower speed from what ive read,or if your rpms are that low you may be able to drop a pitch in prop and may help with your holeshot and planing but your going to lose some speed and gain rpms.that is a pretty heavy boat.

Yes, my Max recommended RPM is 5500 and with WOT I am at 5500 (Do you think there is a rev limiter on the motor?) I don't mind loosing some top end speed, I would rather have a better hole shot than top end.

 

[Ripfence]

Re: 3 blade vs 4 blade for better hole shot.

Well, I checked in the to the trim tabs. Appearently, my Nitro Sport's transom is too contoured to effectivly make use of those trim tabs... Bummer. I guess I am now back to looking at the four bladded prop.

 

[stevens]

Re: 3 blade vs 4 blade for better hole shot.

"Too contoured"?? Could you perhaps post a few pictures of the transom?

 

[Ripfence]

Re: 3 blade vs 4 blade for better hole shot.

Originally posted by Stevens:<br /> "Too contoured"?? Could you perhaps post a few pictures of the transom?

I called the factory service center and they suggested that I not do the trim tabs. It has two big swim platforms off the back and they are kind of molded into the transom. The Tech didn't think he had enough room to fit them in there.<br /><br />I found a 5 bladed prop. I think it is a High five, a local company has one that has been reconditioned, they are asking $350 for it. Maybe that will do the trick

 

[Dhadley]

Re: 3 blade vs 4 blade for better hole shot.

At a top rpm of only 5500, a sluggish hleshot is to be expected. If that prop works for you for fishing then get one of a lower pitch for skiing.

 

[Ron G]

Re: 3 blade vs 4 blade for better hole shot.

Listen Dhadley,thats were i was going.I dont know that much on the high five but use the search theres a bunch of posts about them.

 

[ZR8RIDER]

Re: 3 blade vs 4 blade for better hole shot.

When you order the trim tabs, is the price for both sides (2) or just one? Thanks. ZR

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: 3 blade vs 4 blade for better hole shot.

Both.... or a set, as they say...

 

[Ripfence]

Re: 3 blade vs 4 blade for better hole shot.

Originally posted by Dhadley:<br /> At a top rpm of only 5500, a sluggish hleshot is to be expected. If that prop works for you for fishing then get one of a lower pitch for skiing.

Bummer. I guess I shouldn't have bought an Optimax then. according the their website the Optimax's max RPMs are between 5000 and 5750 RPM. Since I am pretty much stuck with the optimax, do you think the pro will help?

 

[Ripfence]

Re: 3 blade vs 4 blade for better hole shot.

Originally posted by Dhadley:<br /> At a top rpm of only 5500, a sluggish hleshot is to be expected. If that prop works for you for fishing then get one of a lower pitch for skiing.

Bummer. I guess I shouldn't have bought an Optimax then. according the their website the Optimax's max RPMs are between 5000 and 5750 RPM. Since I am pretty much stuck with the optimax, do you think the pro will help?