just ordered 4 blade props

[crazy charlie]

I just ordered 4 quicksilver 4 blade props for my 280 Regal with twin 5.0lx mercr with alphas.Anyone have experience with these???????I had 141/2x17 props on it and I could not get the bow up in a chop without cavitation with the t tabs all the way up.The new 4 blades will be 15x16.I was told they should do the trick.Charlie

 

[walleyehed]

Re: just ordered 4 blade props

C.C., guess everyone is still lookin' for the E-TEC post...??????<br />Good choice of props...better to go lower pitch, high diameter...ya got more bite and more to work with there. You can always have some cupping added if needed. <br /><br />Edit: I'm assuming your 14.5X17's were 3-blade??

 

[crazy charlie]

Re: just ordered 4 blade props

Yes W.Eye the 141/2 x 17 are 3 blade and I just got the 4 blade today.They are not cupped which I did not even think of.Did you say that the props can get cupped????Is that something that can be added???Charlie

 

[BillP]

Re: just ordered 4 blade props

Not to ad controversy but when going from 2-3 blade to 4 blade it is normal in my neck-o-the woods to decrease the diameter and increase the pitch. You keep the speed and get a better hole shot. Don't ask me why it works but it does.

 

[walleyehed]

Re: just ordered 4 blade props

C.C., I'm sure I'll get spanked on this, but If you look into 4-blades per application, you will find most of the time, the 4-blade is LESS diameter for the same pitch, and the reason is because of the increase in blade area. Remember the key-"SAME PITCH". When you drop pitch, generally the diameter goes up, again, generally.<br />The problem I see with uncupped 4-blade props is you will gain zero in terms of eliminating blow-out, or cavitation. You CAN have cup added, but based on the pitch of the props you received, I would recommend....and take this for what it's worth.......that you send those back, and either get the same pitch in cupped (16") or drop to 15" and have cup added. You DO NOT want to get in a situation where you have to de-tune, or remove pitch, cup, etc., to get the R's you want, because when you de-tune, you are doing just that....lowering efficiency.<br />Hope this helps, and as I say, this is just MY recommendation.<br />Might hang around and see if Dhadley might post on this.....he's the proffessor on these situations.....Good Luck!<br /><br />Edit: I will not disagree with BillP, because that is usually true, but in your situation, you are looking for more "bite".....2 ways to help with this is 4-Blade.....cupping, and blade area increase-both can benefit your particular problem....

 

[crazy charlie]

Re: just ordered 4 blade props

Thanks for the replies guys.The seller of the props has a good reputation so I went by his recomendation.I expressed my concern with not being cupped and he said he thinks these are the right ones and to try them in the spring and see what they do.He said to make sure I dont scratch them and he would switch them for me if they dont do the job.I could not get the advice i needed through any other source selling props.I guess with 4 blade being relatively new its hard to get anyone with solid info.How hard is it to add a cup if needed???Charlie

 

[Boomyal]

Re: just ordered 4 blade props

Crazy Charlie, any prop repair shop should be able to add it. It's a shame though to have to pay a repair charge on brand new props.

 

[crazy charlie]

Re: just ordered 4 blade props

I was just curious about that.If the props dont do what I need them to The seller will swap me for the right size.I am hoping that this size will do the trick.Charlie

 

[walleyehed]

Re: just ordered 4 blade props

Back to your original post, C.C.......you can't keep the Bow up without ventilation.......the uncupped props will bite less, and being 4_blade will create less efficiency.<br />The props you have received will do exactly what you have now, and you will have less top-end as well. You need cupped props, or you will ventilate trying to keep the bow up.....maybe more than your cupped 3-blades...<br />Boomyal, it's a shame the prop supplier would recommend un-cupped props for this application...

 

[BillP]

Re: just ordered 4 blade props

I'm in the same league with Boomyal. I generally buy a prop that is close to what I need and have a prop shop work it for the final tweak. It rarely takes more than an hour to change diameter and/or pitch. This is the best (and cheapest) way I've found to dial in a rig to my exact needs. I tweak by using the torque/hp/rpm range I want to run in. Speed is the 2nd benefactor. <br /><br />I was watching the F1 & F2 races today. Those guys are now running 5 & 6 blades. They used to run 2 blades. The world is catching on that more blades in smaller diameters = high efficiency.

 

[Mettaree]

Re: just ordered 4 blade props

BillP:<br />Before you know it they will be running wheels that look like they belong on a nuclear submarine.

 

[crazy charlie]

Re: just ordered 4 blade props

Wow Bummer!!! seems that everyone agrees that these are the wrong size props.I posted the question of what size props should i get in the spring and barely got a reply.Im glad you guys took a look to help me out.I wonder if I should give these a try first before I start switching props or should I nip this in the bud????and handle it now.Charlie

 

[wvit100]

Re: just ordered 4 blade props

I bought a mercury high-five prop this spring and it has been great. The boat runs noticably smoother with the five blade prop, it has a great hole shot, and gets on plane really guick. Top speed dropped from 58 to around 53 at the same RPM, but the boat runs a lot better.