Three bladed vs four bladed props

[razz]

I am currently looking for a boat. As I look through some of these ads I notice that a lot of times they will have spare props.

Usually the ad says there are three/four bladed props on the boat and the others a spares.

Is there some inherent advantage of one over the other?

I also know that one of the thngs people can screw up is putting too much prop on their boat to increase performance at the expense of engine life.

Any thoughts?

[Fishin Fool]

I am currently looking for a boat. As I look through some of these ads I notice that a lot of times they will have spare props.

Usually the ad says there are three/four bladed props on the boat and the others a spares.

Is there some inherent advantage of one over the other?

I also know that one of the thngs people can screw up is putting too much prop on their boat to increase performance at the expense of engine life.

Any thoughts?

I have both for my boat 31' Contender, the advantage of 4 blades for me is earlier plane, however on mine I noticed a decrease in catch offshore. I used the 4 blades for 6 consecutive trips all slow when everyone around me burned up the tuna, I switched back to my 3 blades and immediately improved my catch.

I can't say it's all 4 blades, just probably the harmonics on the pair I had purchased ($1,400.00 Ouch).

As far as fuel efficiency, I noticed little difference. I would put the 4 blades back on if I could say for sure it didn't affect my catch. JMHO.

I have buds with 4 blades and they have not had any problems.

Hope this helps....

[Nimrod]

Razz,

We have run 3-bladed Michigan nibral wheels on our 46 Hatt with 8V92s for 12 seasons. We have been wanting to try 4-blades for a while and finally bought a set of 4-blade Veem nibral wheels. All I can say is WOW! Huge difference. I think most will agree that 4-blade wheels are suppose to give a smoother ride and these really did. But I also got better speed and fuel economy.

Check out my earlier thread on the Veems: Veem Propellers

BTW - I have three sets of 3-blade Michigans for 2.5" shafts that I will be selling.

[flatbottom]

4 blades will lift the stern and like Ffool said put you on plane faster.....I have a single outboard and the four blade at 4500 rpm mashed to the wall will still kick.....more bite.......fuel burn is the same.....as far as fish raising, catch a ride with admin, his boat catches lots of fish


Ffool I do know some 4 blade hub come with less restrictive porting for a lower sound. the one I have is a solas(sp)

[hotrodmarlin]

I have both for my boat 31' Contender, the advantage of 4 blades for me is earlier plane, however on mine I noticed a decrease in catch offshore. I used the 4 blades for 6 consecutive trips all slow when everyone around me burned up the tuna, I switched back to my 3 blades and immediately improved my catch.

I can't say it's all 4 blades, just probably the harmonics on the pair I had purchased ($1,400.00 Ouch).

As far as fuel efficiency, I noticed little difference. I would put the 4 blades back on if I could say for sure it didn't affect my catch. JMHO.

I have buds with 4 blades and they have not had any problems.

Hope this helps....

I've got a 27 contender with 225 yamahas with 3 blade props and have had problems with catching Bluefins when all my buddies around me are killing em. I seem to catch everything else just fine. Did you see a difference in only tuna or was it with all fish? reading this has about sold me on buying new props.