What exactly would I notice if I switch from 3-blade to 5-blade prop, same pitch?

[scooper77515]

I have a buddy urging me to get a 5 blade prop. I am currently running a 19p 3 blade aluminum prop. I am just peachy with it. It works just fine, planes quickly, pulls me up on wakeboard without issue. Pulls 4 adults and 600 lbs of ballast without even noticing the extra weight.

So, What will a 5 pitch prop do for me (disregard the aluminum-to-stainless portion of the swap)? Would it be worth a $400 upgrade?

 

[QC]

Re: What exactly would I notice if I switch from 3-blade to 5-blade prop, same pitch?

Before we go any further we need to start with WOT RPM . . .

It just depends on what your priority is. There are a lot of 4 blades out there as they bridge the hole shot benefits of a 5 with the speed and efficiency (kinda same thing) of a 3 . . . You need a spare anyway, so another prop is a good thing. You mentioned not to talk aluminum. But I think you should consider a SS 4 blade at 20 inches. I would not get a 5 blade if: a) you're in the proper WOT range now and b) water sports is not your main priority.

Whether it is boat brand, engine brand, propeller pitch or beer coozy. Everyone wants you to agree with their position. Funny how their position is what they already have. Oh, I have a 4 blade . . .

Edit: Your sig says 21P and I see 19P. So maybe you have a spare. We need all of the data from both props to help. WOT RPM, Speed (GPS) etc.

 

[scooper77515]

Re: What exactly would I notice if I switch from 3-blade to 5-blade prop, same pitch?

I rarely go WOT, but I think it stops at 5400 rpms. And around 54 mph gps, if I recall correctly (don't do it much). We tend to cruise at 35 mph most of the time when motoring around. Then 21-24 mph while towing me on wakeboard.

My question, again, is what difference will I see, if I don't change anything else but number of blades?

I already have a spare prop, the original aluminum 21p that came with the boat with a slight nick in a blade. Bought a new 19p while the 21p was in for straitening and balancing. So, having a spare is not an issue.

Is it even worth worrying and thinking about going up to a 4 or 5 blade prop?

 

[QC]

Re: What exactly would I notice if I switch from 3-blade to 5-blade prop, same pitch?

Is it even worth worrying and thinking about going up to a 4 or 5 blade prop?

Not if you're happy with what you have unless you really want to drop $400 for no apparent reason. Or even better yet, why would you? If it were me, I'd want to get her down 400 RPM and consider a 4 blade 22, but I'd need more data for that.

 

[oops!]

Re: What exactly would I notice if I switch from 3-blade to 5-blade prop, same pitch?

. I am just peachy with it. It works just fine, planes quickly, pulls me up on wakeboard without issue. Pulls 4 adults and 600 lbs of ballast without even noticing the extra weight.

unless you really want to drop $400 for no apparent reason. Or even better yet, why would you?

i was going to add on what kevin said....but these two comments kinda sum it all up

 

[scooper77515]

Re: What exactly would I notice if I switch from 3-blade to 5-blade prop, same pitch?

yeah, that is what I am telling my buddy. I am perfectly happy with the holeshot now, and I have a spare 21p 3-blade prop if I want to use it instead.

And 54 mph is fine by me, and my wife HATES it. So I can only go WOT for brief periods before she starts to scream, or if I leave her home and bring a buddy along instead.

When we test-drove the boat, there were 4 180+ lb adults on the boat and 600 lbs of ballast, and it was fine with the 21p prop. I swapped in a 19p prop for a better holeshot while skiing, and because was what the local shop had in stock. And it has been just fine for all our needs.

I was just wondering if a 4- or 5-blade prop would really kick me in the pants and be worth a $400 investment. If someone hopped up and said "OH YEAH!!! It is like night and day!" then i would do it, but if I am hearing that the results are pretty much negligible, then I won't waste the dough.

 

[jeffnick]

Re: What exactly would I notice if I switch from 3-blade to 5-blade prop, same pitch?

So, What will a 5 pitch prop do for me

Outside of lighten your wallet, probably nothing. Stainless and 4 and 5 blade props are for people who want just a little more something...hole shot, top end, bling. I tried over 15 different props on my boat and ended up with the OEM 3 blade aluminum.


http://72land-n-sea.blogspot.com/2011/05/introduction.html

 

[oops!]

Re: What exactly would I notice if I switch from 3-blade to 5-blade prop, same pitch?

if you are really dying to know if there is a difference....either post all info that they ask for here....(these guys really know their stuff......they can even tell you how much gas you will burn with 6 people and a dog) . or take it to a on the water marina with lots of props to select from......they will let you demo them for a sizable deposit.

 

[scooper77515]

Re: What exactly would I notice if I switch from 3-blade to 5-blade prop, same pitch?

Hey guys, Thanks for the honest feedback and not a bunch of BS to get me to buy something I wouldn't be impressed with.

 

[SparkieBoat]

Re: What exactly would I notice if I switch from 3-blade to 5-blade prop, same pitch?

I agree with QC as far as getting your RPMs WOT down to around 5K...that 21P 3 blade you have should do the trick...maybe invest in a set of trim tabs if you want to spend some money, they will really help you 21P prop get up fast and stay up at lower RPMs..about $200 for the smart tabs. you should get much better MPG with the 21P prop..but if MPG does not matter and you are going to keep it under 5K then you should be ok..if it were mine it would have the 21 with trim tabs.

 

[scooper77515]

Re: What exactly would I notice if I switch from 3-blade to 5-blade prop, same pitch?

Lake has dried up and they closed all the ramps. So won't have a chance to try out the prop change for a while.

Praying for a hurricane, or at least a nice tropical storm.

here is a picture I took this morning at our lake. We are currently down 7.4 feet. The drought is killing us.

 

[KDAVID1]

Re: What exactly would I notice if I switch from 3-blade to 5-blade prop, same pitch?

I have a question kinda along the same lines--but I am looking for a spare prop. I currently have a 14" 25p on a Ranger 354v with 1991 Merc 150hp. Top speed 68mph rpm 5500. Would a 4 blade be safer. Not looking for more speed, gas savings, or hole shot just wondering what if anything a 4 blade would give me. Please forgive me if I missed it in the previous postings. Thanks in advance.

 

[SparkieBoat]

Re: What exactly would I notice if I switch from 3-blade to 5-blade prop, same pitch?

Kdavid..repost your question in a NEW THREAD. We are praying for Rain in Texas. God Bless Texas.

 

[scooper77515]

Re: What exactly would I notice if I switch from 3-blade to 5-blade prop, same pitch?

Sorry if I didn't utilize the technology available through this forum, but I really wasn't interested in rpms, gas mileage, 4 adults and a dog, etc.

Just a description of "seat of pants" change if I just swapped it, dropped it in the water, and drove it like I normally do.

I am very technical when i work on my street-strip maverick, but the boat just has to run reliably, and get me up on a wakeboard, and be able to haul around some cold beers.

If a 5-blade would have made "a world of difference" in handling, holding a steady speed while wakeboarding, or keeping the nose down at low speeds, then I would have seriously considered it. The wife has to fight to keep the boat at a comfy speed when I wakeboard, since it is right at or about the planing speed.

 

[QC]

Re: What exactly would I notice if I switch from 3-blade to 5-blade prop, same pitch?

Trim Tabs ^^^^^^

 

[scooper77515]

Re: What exactly would I notice if I switch from 3-blade to 5-blade prop, same pitch?

Yes, but I have heard that trim tabs screw up your wake. I don't have much wake to begin with, and would hate to ruin what little I have. This is all I have right now, with wife driving, no ballast, no spotter.

 

[QC]

Re: What exactly would I notice if I switch from 3-blade to 5-blade prop, same pitch?

Trim tabs can allow you to run at that point where the wake is biggest, but still keep her on plane at a reasonably steady throttle position. Generally they will screw up a wake, but in use you can find ways to make it better for both the driver and the rider . . . I am talking specifically about helm adjustable tabs in this example. You can load up on the ballast, shift weight aft, and dig a big hole regardless of the prop

 

[skargo]

Re: What exactly would I notice if I switch from 3-blade to 5-blade prop, same pitch?

View attachment 109346Yes, but I have heard that trim tabs screw up your wake. I don't have much wake to begin with, and would hate to ruin what little I have. This is all I have right now, with wife driving, no ballast, no spotter.

Trim tabs wouldn't necessarily mess with your wake. I use my trim tabs full down for my holeshot, then once on plane, I bring them full up. My boat gets on plane insanely fast!
I think the advice you got here is spot on.

And it's terrible to see your lake like that, I hope you get a lot of rain, and soon!

 

[scooper77515]

Re: What exactly would I notice if I switch from 3-blade to 5-blade prop, same pitch?

We have had 1/2" of rain since FEBRUARY!!! We normally have 24" or so in this time frame.

So yes, we are in a dire situation down here. First time i have ever heard people praying FOR a hurricane.

We would likely need two really good ones to refill our lake.

 

[SparkieBoat]

Re: What exactly would I notice if I switch from 3-blade to 5-blade prop, same pitch?

hurricanes bring loads of money into a local economy also and jobs...they aint all bad.