3 or 4 blade prop for H190 SS.

[Jimwhall]

So, due to bad oversight on my part, we dinged the prop on my boat at slow speed. It also looks like it bent the bottom fin a bit at the tip. It still runs fine, though I'm going to have to get it in.

In the meantime, I'm looking at getting spare prop. I don't have a budget for an SS so that is out. I am thinking of going to a 4 blade.

Right now I have a 14.25x21 running off of a 4.3 MPI Alpha One drive. It looks like it can, just a bit, put the engine past the redline (the manual I have says that's 4300-4600...). I can do about 38-43 depending on conditions and load (I've never had fewer than 4 people in it). I do a ton of towing 2-3 person tubes. Hole shot is decent, It will cavitate in very tight turns.

Overall I'm pretty happy with it as a good all-around prop. But, if I'm going to have a spare why not a little difference?

I'm wondering if I go to a 4 blade prop if it will improve my hole shot?
If I do go to a 4 blade prop will do I drop to a 19 pitch?
If that is the case, do I risk a prop that's easy to go past redline? Or will the extra blade mitigate that?

Thank you.

 

[Scott06]

So, due to bad oversight on my part, we dinged the prop on my boat at slow speed. It also looks like it bent the bottom fin a bit at the tip. It still runs fine, though I'm going to have to get it in.

In the meantime, I'm looking at getting spare prop. I don't have a budget for an SS so that is out. I am thinking of going to a 4 blade.

Right now I have a 14.25x21 running off of a 4.3 MPI Alpha One drive. It looks like it can, just a bit, put the engine past the redline (the manual I have says that's 4300-4600...). I can do about 38-43 depending on conditions and load (I've never had fewer than 4 people in it). I do a ton of towing 2-3 person tubes. Hole shot is decent, It will cavitate in very tight turns.

Overall I'm pretty happy with it as a good all-around prop. But, if I'm going to have a spare why not a little difference?

I'm wondering if I go to a 4 blade prop if it will improve my hole shot?
If I do go to a 4 blade prop will do I drop to a 19 pitch?
If that is the case, do I risk a prop that's easy to go past redline? Or will the extra blade mitigate that?

Thank you.

I believe on the MPI the WOT rpm range is 4600-5000. Are you saying you are just getting about 4700 or so at WOT lightly load?

For the use you outline- loaded water sports I believe you would really like a 4 blade. I used Michigan Vortex 4 blades on my old boat , were relatively cheap being aluminum. If you are hitting 4700 with a 21" 3 blade I would think a 18" vortex for blade or maybe a 20" would work ok. I would think with an 18" you would be around 5k at WOT and have much better hole shot and stern lift. If you can find a local prop shop or dealer who will let you try them out that is best worth paying a tad more than on line.

I tried both a 16" and 18" vortex ('91 searay 170/3.0LX) and kept them both used the 18" unless we were skiing. I'm relatively big and 16" made a decent ski boat out of an underpowered boat.

 

[QBhoy]

4.3 mpi is 4400-4800 rpm range, I’m sure.

 

[Jimwhall]

If you can find a local prop shop or dealer who will let you try them out that is best worth paying a tad more than on line.

I don't have anyone that will do that, but Turning Point has worked with me in the past and it was awesome. YOu have to wait but they'll actually let you test it.

I have a hard time determining load, I think I'm kind of middle of the road. Typically my wife, myself (I'm 280) and 2 teens ( 130/pop) plus 16-20 gallons of gas.

The boat can reportedly hold nine, but I can't imagine it performing super well with that.

 

[QBhoy]

So, due to bad oversight on my part, we dinged the prop on my boat at slow speed. It also looks like it bent the bottom fin a bit at the tip. It still runs fine, though I'm going to have to get it in.

In the meantime, I'm looking at getting spare prop. I don't have a budget for an SS so that is out. I am thinking of going to a 4 blade.

Right now I have a 14.25x21 running off of a 4.3 MPI Alpha One drive. It looks like it can, just a bit, put the engine past the redline (the manual I have says that's 4300-4600...). I can do about 38-43 depending on conditions and load (I've never had fewer than 4 people in it). I do a ton of towing 2-3 person tubes. Hole shot is decent, It will cavitate in very tight turns.

Overall I'm pretty happy with it as a good all-around prop. But, if I'm going to have a spare why not a little difference?

I'm wondering if I go to a 4 blade prop if it will improve my hole shot?
If I do go to a 4 blade prop will do I drop to a 19 pitch?
If that is the case, do I risk a prop that's easy to go past redline? Or will the extra blade mitigate that?

Thank you.

Hi. Also…if it helps. You won’t be able to go far past the 4800. There is a limiter that will kick in and alarm at around 4950ish. What boat is it you have ? Sorry if I missed that detail. I’ve propped a couple of 18/19ft bowriders with this engine. If I can help any.

 

[Scott06]

Hi. Also…if it helps. You won’t be able to go far past the 4800. There is a limiter that will kick in and alarm at around 4950ish. What boat is it you have ? Sorry if I missed that detail. I’ve propped a couple of 18/19ft bowriders with this engine. If I can help any.

H190SS which I think is a relatively recent Four Winns model

 

[Jimwhall]

Hi. Also…if it helps. You won’t be able to go far past the 4800. There is a limiter that will kick in and alarm at around 4950ish. What boat is it you have ? Sorry if I missed that detail. I’ve propped a couple of 18/19ft bowriders with this engine. If I can help any.

2016 H190SS Four Winns.

I really like it. I've seen some negative reviews on the 4.3 MPI because it isn't smooth but I'm used to an outboard, and I love the reports on its durability.

Any help would be really appreciated.

 

[Jimwhall]

"You won’t be able to go far past the 4800. There is a limiter that will kick in and alarm at around 4950ish."

That's really helpful. I'm always freaked out by possibly overspeeding and wrecking my engine.

 

[Jimwhall]

Hi. Also…if it helps. You won’t be able to go far past the 4800. There is a limiter that will kick in and alarm at around 4950ish. What boat is it you have ? Sorry if I missed that detail. I’ve propped a couple of 18/19ft bowriders with this engine. If I can help any.

So would the standard going to a 4 blade to drop one pitch 'level'? To say a 19?

We went around this weekend with 3 men over 200 lbs, 2 adult women, and 2 teenage kids. It was alot of weight on the boat. Towing the kids was really tough. We had to shift weight forward to plane. My buddy who has a '98 Crownline with a 5.7 was saying his boat never has a hard time planing like mine did... but I found out he runs a 19 pitch SS.

 

[Scott06]

So would the standard going to a 4 blade to drop one pitch 'level'? To say a 19?

We went around this weekend with 3 men over 200 lbs, 2 adult women, and 2 teenage kids. It was alot of weight on the boat. Towing the kids was really tough. We had to shift weight forward to plane. My buddy who has a '98 Crownline with a 5.7 was saying his boat never has a hard time planing like mine did... but I found out he runs a 19 pitch SS.

Depends on the 4 blade . On my old boat I ran a 19" three blade for cruising and 17" for skiing. I used michigan votex 4 blades which came in even pitches - ended up at same rpms with a 18 4 blade and 16" 4 blade respectively. These didn't have as much bite as the Revolution 4- 21" I run on my new boat but were a great value

You may just want to try a 19" three blade. Given where you are rpm wise that would have you at the rev limiter lightly loaded. Alternatively try a 18" -19" 4 blade especially if you go SS with some cup. Best bet is to try a few, the aluminum vortex props were a great way to hone in on right prop for the use. Is there a prop shop or dealer near you who will let you try before you buy ?

 

[Jimwhall]

Depends on the 4 blade . On my old boat I ran a 19" three blade for cruising and 17" for skiing. I used michigan votex 4 blades which came in even pitches - ended up at same rpms with a 18 4 blade and 16" 4 blade respectively. These didn't have as much bite as the Revolution 4- 21" I run on my new boat but were a great value

You may just want to try a 19" three blade. Given where you are rpm wise that would have you at the rev limiter lightly loaded. Alternatively try a 18" -19" 4 blade especially if you go SS with some cup. Best bet is to try a few, the aluminum vortex props were a great way to hone in on right prop for the use. Is there a prop shop or dealer near you who will let you try before you buy ?

Unfortunately no. I can do prop exchange with turning point, they've let me exchange after I use them before (provided I don't break them). But it's $25/exchange.

SS is intriguing to me. But it's awfully expensive, and I'm a little leery of not having a prop that will bend before my gears.

What does the 3-4 blades do to RPM's? I.E. will the 3 blade not spin as fast as the 3 blade? And is it a problem to run up to the rev limiter, or am I risking damaging the engine.

And thank you!

 

[QBhoy]

So would the standard going to a 4 blade to drop one pitch 'level'? To say a 19?

We went around this weekend with 3 men over 200 lbs, 2 adult women, and 2 teenage kids. It was alot of weight on the boat. Towing the kids was really tough. We had to shift weight forward to plane. My buddy who has a '98 Crownline with a 5.7 was saying his boat never has a hard time planing like mine did... but I found out he runs a 19 pitch SS.

Depends what you have now and what 4 blade. I know that some 4 blade ally props will defo see more rpm than some good 3 blade of the same pitch. Going ally to ally…not quite sure…but I know it will be terrible at anything past cruising speed. Just lose efficiency and pace thereafter

 

[Scott06]

Unfortunately no. I can do prop exchange with turning point, they've let me exchange after I use them before (provided I don't break them). But it's $25/exchange.

SS is intriguing to me. But it's awfully expensive, and I'm a little leery of not having a prop that will bend before my gears.

What does the 3-4 blades do to RPM's? I.E. will the 3 blade not spin as fast as the 3 blade? And is it a problem to run up to the rev limiter, or am I risking damaging the engine.

And thank you!

Generally of same pitch and blade configuration (size and cup) you will see less WOT rpm with a 4 blade than a 3 blade. That is why it is generally recommended to decrease pitch when going from 3 to 4 blade.

Generally performance wise you will see an increase in holeshot, stern lift , and lower planning speed with a 4 blade at the expense of 3-4 mph top speed. It all comes down to how you use your boat. I personally prefer 4 blades because it improves performance in how I use my boat 85% of the time - loaded watersports. the top speed really doesnt do me much good because the lake we are on is generally not smooth enough to really nail it with out getting pounded... again how you want to use your boat.

If your wot rpm is accurate and current 21" (assume basic ally) is not too beat up I would take a look at the michigan vortex 4 blade 18" I think loaded that would get your rpm near the max and really improve holeshot.

You can run your engine at WOT with out damaging it. Obviously the longer time you spend there the more wear on your engine, but I will go 10-15 min at WOT or close to it no issue. You don't have to go WOT all the time, just if your boat is propped such that it can hit the upper end of WOT it will be pitched such that it wont lug the engine and throttle response will be livelier through out the rpm range .