3 or 4 blade?whats the diff?

Dhadley

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Feb 4, 2001
Messages
16,978
Re: 3 or 4 blade?whats the diff?

The difference? 1 more blade. Or 1 less -- depends on how you look at it.

Sorry, couldn't help it! Both have advantages. The 4 blades are known for a great holeshot and carry the boat well. The perception is that they aren't as fast as a 3 blade. That may or may not be true any more.

The set ups are different. Most people try a 4 blade at the same height as their 3 blade and it doesn't work as well. There are a ton of different technologies too. A tugboat or barge probably uses a 4 blade prop. But so do Mod VP race boats. But not the same one.

We have guides around here that use 4 blades almost exclusively because they'll get up in shallow water quickly, carry a load and handle very well. Some have a 3 blade that's faster, on some boats the 4 blade is faster.

What boat / motor do you have? What are you looking for?
 

wcsparky05

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Feb 5, 2007
Messages
204
Re: 3 or 4 blade?whats the diff?

find a place that will let you borrow and test a few different props on your boat as all boats will react differently. as dhadley said, choosing a prop is determined by what you will use it for. for example, i use my boat for fishing and wakeboarding and neither one require top end speed or running wot.
 
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