5 Blade prop

[mark_fitzy]

Mate of mine has just ordered a Mercury High Five Stainless Steel 5 Blade Propeller for his claravelle 18ft 2009 Sterndrive mercrusier Alpha one with out checking what these props are like.

Can anyone tell me what they are like performance wise?

 

[wmhob]

Re: 5 Blade prop

I've got one on my Hurricane Sun Deck 21' and I like it. It's good out of the hole but I lost about 5mph on the top end compared to the 3 blade I had on there. We do lots of tubing and knee boarding with the kids and I find it really easy to hold the boat at a steady speed without having to work the throttle like I did when we were running the 3 blade. He should be happy with it unless he just wants speed. If that's the case he can find a good 3 blade. Hope this helps a little.

 

[Utahboatnut]

Re: 5 Blade prop

I agree with the above and would add I drive a 20' crownline bowrider it has the 350 alphaI gen 2 with the HI-5,(21p) I can pull whatever I want out of the water. Two slalom skiers no problem, tubes, wakeboard kneeboard can all be easily held at speed not nearly as much throttle up and down to keep it in the sweet spot. The con is that you do lose some off the top 5 mph at least, I can still do 40+ mph but I won't go any more than that cause a. I'm not in that big of a hurry b. I don't like running that close to redline c. gas mileage. For my families needs its all about watersports, holeshot, speed maintenance, so I couldn't be happier with it. If I plan on doing a long distance cruise and no watersports(rare but it does happen) I install the 3 blade backup (23p) and can get back closer to 50 mph at cruise if I choose but usually dont other than on super smooth water for a few miles.

 

[j_martin]

Re: 5 Blade prop

I agree with the above and would add I drive a 20' crownline bowrider it has the 350 alphaI gen 2 with the HI-5,(21p) I can pull whatever I want out of the water. Two slalom skiers no problem, tubes, wakeboard kneeboard can all be easily held at speed not nearly as much throttle up and down to keep it in the sweet spot. The con is that you do lose some off the top 5 mph at least, I can still do 40+ mph but I won't go any more than that cause a. I'm not in that big of a hurry b. I don't like running that close to redline c. gas mileage. For my families needs its all about watersports, holeshot, speed maintenance, so I couldn't be happier with it. If I plan on doing a long distance cruise and no watersports(rare but it does happen) I install the 3 blade backup (23p) and can get back closer to 50 mph at cruise if I choose but usually dont other than on super smooth water for a few miles.

The loss of top end and decreased load variation is a function of the shallower pitch more than the number of blades.

I have a couple of high fives for my bass boat. The engine is an XR4, which has the smaller diameter LU on it. The high five gives me a dynamite hole shot, and I can slightly surface it without worrying about putting the pinion out the side from tortional vibration abuse. I carry 2 of them, a 24p for fishing with a normal partner, and a 22p for a fat partner, or for water sports.

Overall, it's a great prop, especially when the weather gets a little goofy.

my 02
John

 

[mark_fitzy]

Re: 5 Blade prop

Excellent replies guys, thanks I will pass it on!!