No need to change pitch ?

[balphin23]

Hello all, new to the forum, and have been looking through the props section. I noticed another member has a similar issue and I was thinking of a different prop but am unwilling to purchase at this time as I am not skilled in this particular area boating. I currently have a 2010 Tahoe Q5i SF with the 4.3L V6 MPI (220hp) engine package. The boat came with a 3 blade 21 pitch SST prop. The specs on the engine say WOT is somewhere between 4200-4800 but when I reach 4300ish I am going about 52 in calm water with the sterm trimmed. If I give it all she's got she'll climb to 5000rpm and speed will increase to almost 56. So I don't ever plan on screaming like this but would like to consider this option. If I were to get a 4 blade SST prop with the same 21 pitch wouldn't that give me lower rpms, better bottom and midrange performance, better hole shots, but not sacrifice overall top speed? Thank you.

 

[steelespike]

Re: No need to change pitch ?

No question the 4 blade will help low to mid range.Typically the 4 blade will lower
rpm and top speed. The actual amount will vary, speed usually about 2-3mph.

 

[balphin23]

Re: No need to change pitch ?

Thanks Steel. I am taking the boat out for the first time with a full load this weekend and I will see how she fares with the current prop. I am pretty confident in getting the 4 blade though sometime soon, as this boat will mainly be used in the summer for wakeboarding and tubing. I can maintiain 15 miles per hour pretty easy with constant throttle but I also know a higher lower pitch prop will give me say rpm wiggle room for pulling.

but if switching to a 4 blade with the same pitch will get the job done and only sacrifice a few mph's i am perfectly okay with that.

 

[NHGuy]

Re: No need to change pitch ?

You get so many rev's that the extra blade may pull your wide open rpms back near, or into, the recommended range. That would be a good thing.

 

[balphin23]

Re: No need to change pitch ?

Would you consider the High Five prop at all? Maybe a 19 pitch?

 

[BoomerSooner]

Re: No need to change pitch ?

I went from a 3 blade Black Max aluminum 19P to a 4 blade Solas Amita aluminum 19P and didn't lose any max RPM's when trimmed correctly. I did lose about 5mph on the top speed, dash indicated. Although I don't care about the top speed when she'll yank me out of the water on a slalom like a direct drive boat. Whole shot difference was night and day. First time the wife hammered down, I couldn't stop smiling. I almost let go and had her do it again. Results vary however based on boat, engine, type of prob etc. Go to a 4 blade of the same pitch, you won't regret it.

 

[balphin23]

Re: No need to change pitch ?

Well this past weekend I went out with some friends and did some tubing. I added about 650 pounds more than normal and noticed that there was a considerable difference pulling multiple people. By difference I mean load on boat. I was pulling a 200 pound man and a 275 pound man on two different tubes. The boat pulled them just fine but at launch it wasn't great at all. My engine would occasionally drag and I could have sworn my prop was slipping at times. Is this possible? I am now thinking of getting a 4 blade 19 pitch from Rev 4. Thanks for your guys help.

 

[Chaparralboater]

Re: No need to change pitch ?

You would have to put a colored mark across the bearing and actual prop it self in the back and then test it again. If the lines are not lined up your prop is spun.

 

[balphin23]

Re: No need to change pitch ?

okay so now i am wondering why the bass pro shop is recommending the high five. if so why is he not recommending a lower pitch. is it because th prop is smaller in diameter?

 

[usskydvr]

Re: No need to change pitch ?

If you told the guy are bass pro that you though your prop was slipping, he probably wasn't thinking about the hub slipping, that is why he recommended the Hi-5. It will get you more bite and even more low speed power than the 4 blade. Also for the same reason you don't also need to go down in pitch. (of course if you want to pull your skier out of their bindings and didn't care at all about hi speed cruising AND were willing to watch from over revving, you COULD go to a 17 Hi 5)

 

[sethjon]

Re: No need to change pitch ?

Yes, you could have spun the hub in the prop. Pull it off and take a look.

 

[balphin23]

Re: No need to change pitch ?

Okay I am going to get the socket and wrench to get the prop off. If it is spun does this mean it will need replacing or just realignment? Thanks.

 

[usskydvr]

Re: No need to change pitch ?

Replacing or a prop shop can rebuild it.