4-blade equiv. to 3 blade

[jam1ej20]

I have a 1995 dixie V-19 I/O ski boat with a 4.3 merc. alpha 1 gen II. When i got the boat it had a 14x23 stainless prop and topped out at 4100rpm and 40mph speedo. I have since changed to a 14x21 stainless prop and I am getting much better results in the skiing dept. Now I'm getting 4500rpm and around 45mph speedo.

My question is: Can I get a lower plane speed with a 4-blade prop and what dia/pitch would you recommend? Currently I plane out at around 18-20mph and would love to plane at just a few mph lower for wake boarding and knee boarding. Thanks

 

[Tail_Gunner]

Re: 4-blade equiv. to 3 blade

I have a 1995 dixie V-19 I/O ski boat with a 4.3 merc. alpha 1 gen II. When i got the boat it had a 14x23 stainless prop and topped out at 4100rpm and 40mph speedo. I have since changed to a 14x21 stainless prop and I am getting much better results in the skiing dept. Now I'm getting 4500rpm and around 45mph speedo.

My question is: Can I get a lower plane speed with a 4-blade prop and what dia/pitch would you recommend? Currently I plane out at around 18-20mph and would love to plane at just a few mph lower for wake boarding and knee boarding. Thanks

Well a 20P Stilletto BayPro will act the same as a 21p 3blade so the 20 is to much. Dropping to a 18 should be spot on, Or a Solas HR titan in a 19 would or should work. But a Stilletto Bay Pro 11 in a 18p should really wake that boat up and top at 4900 rpm.

Yes you will be able to plane at lower speed's and the midrange punch will seem like a 4 barrel kicking in.