3 or 4 blade prop??

[kozman01]

I tore-up my brand new Black MAx prop this weekend and am looking to replace it. It is a 13.75 15 pitch LH rotation prop on a Mercury 80hp that is on a 16 foot Silverline. I tried a 17 pitch last year and the boat really didn't run well. No more top end and the boat just felt sluggish. I'll probably stay with the 15 pitch but my question is will it help any to go to a 4 blade and what does the diameter of the prop have to do with the whole situation? I'm running about 28-31 mph at 5K WOT. Thanks for any input. Also, know of anyone company who sells props who can get me one by this weekend? Thanks again.

 

[LubeDude]

Re: 3 or 4 blade prop??

I can see why the 17 didnt work well for you if you WOT RPM is 5,000 RPM. You need to step down to a 13P. As to whether you would like a four plade would depend on what you want your boat to do. If you pull skiers or a tube once in a while, it would give you a little more pulling power, or get you up on plane quicker. With a four blade you might even have to go to an 11P as the extra blade takes some RPM with it also.

 

[kozman01]

Re: 3 or 4 blade prop??

So you recommend going with a 13 pitch? THe manual says that WOT should be 4800-5200K. I thought the 15 pitch was right on. Will the 13 pitch slow it down some? I usually only pull kids that are around 50-70 pounds on a tube. The other 90 percent of the time, I'm just cruising around the lakes.

 

[LubeDude]

Re: 3 or 4 blade prop??

If you want to try a four blade, you will need a 13P if not, and you are happy with your current performance, you are ok where you are now.

 

[kozman01]

Re: 3 or 4 blade prop??

Thanks.