3 or 4 blade prop

[eastern]

I just bought a ebbtide 23 ft deck boat. The prop has a few dings and I want to replace it. I have a 5.7 liter Merc with a 14.5x19 3 blade on it right now. Wondering if I would get a better whole shot with a 4 blade. I use the boat mainly for skiing and pulling the tube. Also my at top speed I am turning around 5000 rpm with only 4 people on the boat. I am not even sure if this is the origanal prop. Thanks

 

[jdub2]

Re: 3 or 4 blade prop

According link below, your max RPM range is 4400-4800 RPM.

http://boatpropellers.iboats.com/Me...andard&**********=844977273&*******=004803000

If your tachometer is accurate, your top end is plenty high enough. You can always still knock it down a pitch size or two to get a better hole shot. But be careful not to over rev your engine.

 

[eastern]

Re: 3 or 4 blade prop

Thanks for the link. Is there a big diff. between the 3 blade and the 4 blade prop?

 

[Tail_Gunner]

Re: 3 or 4 blade prop

I just bought a ebbtide 23 ft deck boat. The prop has a few dings and I want to replace it. I have a 5.7 liter Merc with a 14.5x19 3 blade on it right now. Wondering if I would get a better whole shot with a 4 blade. I use the boat mainly for skiing and pulling the tube. Also my at top speed I am turning around 5000 rpm with only 4 people on the boat. I am not even sure if this is the origanal prop. Thanks

Your doing pretty good now...But if you want to tinker a bit are you looking for a SS prop or alum...And yes a 4 blade will enhance perfromance at the bottom and midrange

 

[eastern]

Re: 3 or 4 blade prop

I was told to stick with a aluminum prop because they will give before you do to much damage to the out drive if I hit something. But I was leaning towards a SS prop.

 

[Tail_Gunner]

Re: 3 or 4 blade prop

I was told to stick with a aluminum prop because they will give before you do to much damage to the out drive if I hit something. But I was leaning towards a SS prop.

Lots of opinions on that subject..But its pretty much BS...Your skeg takes the first big impact and if your going fast on a solid hit...alum or ss..it wont matter....But how many strikes can a alum take nudgeing up to shore and meeting a rock or two along the way

http://boatpropellers.iboats.com/Me...andard&**********=816924395&*******=432584238

Stiletto
Solas
mich wheel

Just personal prefrences....

 

[Brewman61]

Re: 3 or 4 blade prop

I went from an AL 14.25 X 21P 3 blade to a 14.25 X 19P 4 Blade SS, and don't regret the move. The boat does better pulling tubes and skis, it goes up on plane easier and at a lower speed, and stays on plane at a lower speed.
The only tradeoff so far is the couple MPH it may be costing me on the top end, which I really don't care about. This is on my 18' Crownline Bowrider with the 4.3L MPI.

 

[Brewman61]

Re: 3 or 4 blade prop

Ignore this one, please

 

[mmwest]

Re: 3 or 4 blade prop

I went from an AL 14.25 X 21P 3 blade to a 14.25 X 19P 4 Blade SS, and don't regret the move. The boat does better pulling tubes and skis, it goes up on plane easier and at a lower speed, and stays on plane at a lower speed.
The only tradeoff so far is the couple MPH it may be costing me on the top end, which I really don't care about. This is on my 18' Crownline Bowrider with the 4.3L MPI.

this is the route i'm thinking of taking also .my boat is a 21' sea ray w/5.0.what brand prop did you get ,if you don't mind me asking?my #'s are the exact same as yours.---- thanks

 

[Brewman61]

Re: 3 or 4 blade prop

Not at all. The prop. I went with is PowerTech Ele. The guy that rebuilds my AL prop recommended it. Very good price, I thought.

 

[mmwest]

Re: 3 or 4 blade prop

thanks ,i just got off the phone with a power tech rep and thats the one i'm gonna buy,i hope------gotta ask the boss first and try to explain to her how great this will be for the WHOLE family.

 

[Cruzomatic]

Re: 3 or 4 blade prop

I'm with brewman.

I went from a 14.5 x 21 (3) blade aluminum prop to a 14.5 x 19 (4) SS blade and could not be happier. In fact, I'm regretting that it took me so long to make the switch over to one more SS blade. Felt like a total different boat. Much better holeshot for pulling and towing the kiddos around. Not to mention mid range and slow speed performance with the family and friends aboard.

Best of luck....believe me, you won't regret spending the money on that new shiney prop.

 

[eastern]

Re: 3 or 4 blade prop

What are your thought on the solas hr titan 4 blade 14 1/8 x 19 prop

 

[Cruzomatic]

Re: 3 or 4 blade prop

That one looks like a good one, but look around and see who has the best deal. Be prepared to spend about $300.00+

Sounds like a lot as it is a lot to spend on a prop, but believe me, you'll notice a difference, a much better difference.

 

[eastern]

Re: 3 or 4 blade prop

Ordered it. Who ever said boating is a cheap sport LOL. Knock on wood had a 1990 bayliner just sold and only had to buy one prop and 2 coil packs last year. I hope this ebbtide holds up that good. Thanks for the info guys.

 

[Cruzomatic]

Re: 3 or 4 blade prop

Nice choice. You won't be disappointed. Good luck.

 

[mmwest]

Re: 3 or 4 blade prop

yea,i spoke w/JT over at nettle props a few days and have a power tech ele 4 on the way.if anybody is interested i'll post my results after next weekend.

 

[mmwest]

Re: 3 or 4 blade prop

test

 

[Cruzomatic]

Re: 3 or 4 blade prop

It's working......and that's exactly the prop I have.

 

[mmwest]

Re: 3 or 4 blade prop

Took the boat out yesterday evening to check out the new prop.RESULTS are it's like night and day--hole shot and up on plane in a matter of seconds and I really never knew about stern lift but it sure did level out the plane and the ride seems smoother.--did'nt get to check top end yesterday as we were in a pretty small cove----overall I'm kicking myself for not doing it years ago and to think all I did was go from a 14.25/21- 3 blade to a 14.25- 4 blade.