3 or 4 blade for stern heavy bowrider?

[HopinImFloatin]

hello, im looking for a new prop to replace mine that is not in the best of shape and i believe it to be causing me some lower rpm vibration. With that said, the boat is an 18 foot cobia bowrider, 4.3l cobra drive(dog clutch type, not stringer), currently have a 14 1/2X19p with wot rpm of approx 4400rpm, good holeshot and decent top speed considering the shape it is in, 39mph gps. The boat is very stern heavy, was considering going to a 4 blade for lower rpm lower speed planing. I really dont want to lose top speed or holeshot, would really like to stay right where the boat performs now but maybe add some benefits of the 4 blade. Soooooo, i was thinking of going to a 4 blade 21p. Am i going in the right direction? Do the 4 blades provide more stern lift? Was looking at solas props here on iboats, alum, 3 and 4 blade. 3blade 19p and 4 blade 21p are nearly the same price, just dont know which one to choose. Im a little leary of upping the pitch, dont want to KILL my nice holeshot. opions greatly appreciated

 

[Tail_Gunner]

Re: 3 or 4 blade for stern heavy bowrider?

Yes is the answer, but 3 blade 4 blade just fines tunes a boat running character they do not solve mechancial issues such a heavy stern. Now trim tabs will do just that....They mechanically lift the stern on plane resulting in lower planing speeds and may improve overall performance...Nauticus sells tabs here at i boats for about 100....