Experience with 5 blade props

[NelsonQ]

I just purchased a new boat and motor and was interested in hearing some feedback from other folks who are currently or have in the past, used 5 blade props.

I'm running a Mercury SS HighFive 19P prop on my Mercury Optimax 200HP.

I can't provided detailed #s as I'm still breaking in the engine but for the 5 seconds or so at WOT (max 10 secs recommended by Merc in first 10 hrs) I'm comfortably in the range of 5000-5750 RPMS around 5450.

What I like about it:

- amazing hole shot. Boat with fuel and engine is around 3200-3300 lbs. Gets on plane with 4-6 people in less than 2 seconds.

What I don't like about it:

- reverse. it is very unresponsive. On my old motor with 3 blade, when you hit reverse, particularly when approaching a dock or coming alongside another boat, it was much more controllable and more immediate to respond.

I know it will be an adjustment, but is that typical of 5 blades.

Like I said going forward, 2 thumbs up...

What's your experience or am I just out to lunch?

 

[NelsonQ]

Re: Experience with 5 blade props

bump....interested in hearing from the prop guys....

Realized I posted this when it was the least amount of people online.

 

[ufm82]

Re: Experience with 5 blade props

I ran a High 5 on my 20' cuddy and found what you did-- holeshot bite was awesome and time-to-plane was very quick. Also, I found it to be a very smooth prop- not much vibration at all. My experience with reverse was also similar but not objectionable- I assumed it was due to the weight of the boat more than the prop, although when I went back to a 3 blade the difference wasn't all that noticeable. I'm guessing that the size of the blades has something to do with the reverse performance- the blades themselves are much smaller than on a 3 blade even though total surface area is probably similar or even more? And after all, a prop's #1 job is to push a boat, not pull it.

UFM82

 

[21center]

Re: Experience with 5 blade props

I used a high five on a flats boat many years ago and was very impressed with the grip high mount situations and no vibration at all.The top speed was 3 mph slower than the 3 blade laser I used also but I think the trade off was worth it. Now I'm captain of a 21' 2400lbs boat and recently tried the high five again. Once again I was very happy with the hole shot and grip of this prop.The one negative I noticed this time around is mid rpm fuel burn. On my E-tec with the 21p 5blade the rpm's were up about 400 higher when compared to the BRP Rebel 3 blade in a15x20 pitch.For rough water runs i use the 5 blade and for cruising the river I use the Rebel. Overall a pretty good prop.Same issue with reverse as mentioned but minimal.

 

[NelsonQ]

Re: Experience with 5 blade props

Thanks for your input guys.... I have a friend running a 3 blade SS on his Mercury... Hoping to swap with him to see if there is any difference.

I expect I'd get more top end, but I suspect with the 5 blade I'll be in the high 50s anyway so top end speed isn't relevant.

I really like the prop, but I can tell if I'm enamored with the prop or the 200 ponies that spin it around since they're both only 5 days old

 

[stimps]

Re: Experience with 5 blade props

Just put a 23p high five on my four winns 170 with a 4.3gl I/O. Really pleased as still get 46MPH+ on the GPS and holeshot and ability to hold a lower planing speed for wakeboarding are much improved. In tight turns it will hold the speed with little throttle input where the previous 3 bladers used to require constant adjustment to stop it falling dead. It also makes crusing with the wife and kids that much more pleasureable as it seems more predictable, more throttle is more speed if that makes sence. Reversing might be a tad less abrupt but nothing to cause concern. Really pleased with mine in case you couldn't tell.

 

[NelsonQ]

Re: Experience with 5 blade props

Thanks stimps...

I'm heading to the lake in a few hours.

I'll have to be more attentive to reverse. Might be just getting used to the extra horsepower, and perhaps a little less reverse throttle is all as it appears most people notice the difference in reverse but is negligible.