Nautic Star2110 Bay boat, 4 blade 20 pitch prop or 3 blade 21?

[olblue rn]

I have a 2007 Nautic Star 2110 Bay boat with a 150 4 stroke Suzuki. The boat is rated for 200 HP but when I bought it, I was told 150. The current prop is a Solas Lexor SS 3 blade 15 1/4 dia 19 pitch. The boat weight with 2 people and 30 gallons of fuel, and fishing gear is close to 3000 lbs runs 43 and RPMs lock out at 6100 per manufacturer. Notice I said locks out, the boat is still winding up and accellerating when it hits 6100 RPMs. I have always had good performance with my set up but in the mid range maybe had to feather the throttle a bit when pulling a wakeboarder and it is definitely tight to turn unless the motor is trimmed way up. The main reason I'm considering a new prop is I dinged mine up pretty bad last week on an oyster bar and want to have a spare but don't want to buy the same thing I already have. I straightened the old one out pretty well but I'm thinking about a new SS 4 blade 15 diameter 20 pitch while the old prop is in the shop. I'm thinking the SS 4 blade 20 would roughly = a SS 3 blade 21 so maybe I could top out with speed, not the throttle stop(6100 RPM), gain some steerability, less vibration in 4 vs 3 blades, and possibly plane smoother with less transom drop for shallow water starts.
I know it's a lot of info but, Any thoughts on 3 blade 21 vs 4 blade 20?

 

[Mac525]

Re: Nautic Star2110 Bay boat, 4 blade 20 pitch prop or 3 blade 21?

Old blue just to be clear its not the throttle stop that is limiting your rpm. This is the fastest this motor can turn this prop with this load in this hull or and I believe are hitting the rev limiter. If by lock out you mean rev limiter, not the throttle stop then yea you need to pitch up and I would think this bout with this package would be running a 21 or 23 you might even look at trying a 22 oe 23 four blade

 

[olblue rn]

Re: Nautic Star2110 Bay boat, 4 blade 20 pitch prop or 3 blade 21?

Absolutely. Rev limiter is the term I was looking for. It probably goes from sitting still to rev limiter in less than 15 to 20 seconds so I know I can go up in pitch to possibly alleviate the rev limiter, but I don't want to lose too much of my hole shot, would the 4 blade help the shallow water jump to plane even with an increase in pitch?

 

[Mac525]

Re: Nautic Star2110 Bay boat, 4 blade 20 pitch prop or 3 blade 21?

As a general rule yes a four blade will put you on plane faster than a three with less stern squat and they hold or hook more for better on plan handling . You local prop shop probably has a try it program to help you find what you like. Hopefully they have a 21p four blade just make sure with an empty boat your are @ 6100 or just touching the rev limiter not on it steady if you are go to a 23

 

[olblue rn]

Re: Nautic Star2110 Bay boat, 4 blade 20 pitch prop or 3 blade 21?

Thanks Mac525. The dealer I bought from has a small test lake so they may allow prop swapping. I could make sure I'm not losing hole shot and then try it for top end.