i have questions i have tired to read up on it but i am still confused what is the difference between a 3 blade prop and a a 4 blade prop

if i under stand right a 4 blade prop will get you on a plain faster and is better for cruising do to gas milage but it is laking in top end speed

and a 3 plade prop is for performance

i have a heave center concel and i tedn to load it with men who are well over weight to do medication and depression would a 4 blade prop be better i dont run fast do to scared of hitting a simp or somting. i did not know but the guy how had my boat bout a stainles propeller and for got 2 go down 2 piches he just bout the same as the aluminum one that was one there. not the 17 pitch is fine for me and one person it woll plain right way and goo along a little over 40 pretty good for a heave boat and being 112hp johnson i am going to have to buy a new stainless 15 pitch stainless prop i am debaiting on a 4 blade because i have such heavy loaded boat or a 3 bland

i think I have given you this information before:
www.stevescustomprops.com

www.hydrodynamics-usa.com

Lake Fork, Texas
903-763-5225
Call Steve he owns a well respected prop shop in the Lake Fork area and will steer you in the right direction. I have purchased props from him and he has repaired some for me. Pay the price and get the job done right and go fishing or mess with props for an indefinite amount of time.

Well my experience was this. I have a 16.5 foot Lowe Sea Nymph with a 60 hp 4 stroke yamaha. Had a 3 blade 15 pitch prop and boat would go 29 mph top end at 6200 RPM which was slightly over max. Yeah a real screemer!

Problem was me and my boys then were somewhat on the big size...we is fat! Would take forever to get on plane. So I talked with the Power Tech folks and Marcus and we came up with a plan. Now a 3 blade prop had 20 hp per blade. A four blade prop has 15 hp per blade. Marcus said it wasn't rocket science just geometry!

So we settled on a 4 blade 11 pitch prop and RPM dropped to 5700 RPM, max is 6000 RPM so I was happy. Speed increase to 31 mph and the holeshot is fantastic. Also something to consider if you ever fish in rough water is the hold power of that prop. The 3 blade would bleed off energy and I was constantly having to change throttle to "hold" the boat on plane like we wanted. That 4 blade prop has more thrust and easily hold the boat where it needs to be.

Now My engine is small by most any standards folks use, but the "geometry" would apply to larger engines too.

903-763-0200 is the number for Steve's custom props.

I spoke to stave we did not discuss 3-4 blade i am going to order a new one tomorrow no you never gave me any info on props Jacky I asked pat and he help me out the othere day. I had 5 guys in my boat I gould not get it to plain more could i get the rpms up the fist thing was to check the prop if every thing was good and it was because with me and one person it would plan right out the guy i bough the bout from put the wrong size pich prop on when he went to stainless i was told he needed to go down 2 deg on the pitch when going stainless and he just put the same size prop on it I was just trying to figure out what the difference was i think i am going to see about a 4 Blade when i go I tend to take a few guys who hare on the heaver side do to depressions and medications and stuff to the I dont drive fast to be gin with so if i love a little speed i am fine with that. thanks

OK, Lewis I was thinking I gave you Steve's info, he is very knowledgeable on props Just like Pat is, I'd take either of there advice.

i did took pats advice and called steve i just started read on props the difference between the 2 i did not quit understand what the real difference was till now i am going to fall steve and order a new one tomorrow. the one i have is just way to big it works fine with just me or my son in the the boat but put 3-4 guys there and the boat will nearly move and i cant get the rpms up at WOT at first i thought it was my motor sitting hight on the transom but pat said no its good and ask me about the prop thats when he said it was to much pitch call steve and get a new one i hade to drop 350 400 on a prop but i am i dont have a choice

in a nutshell.
3 vs 4 blades

1 blade!!! LOL

this will be an ongoing debate for ever. and it is what it is.

each boat and application will vary.

heavier loads will small horsepower could require a smaller pitch 4 blade to accelerate
faster and stay on plate without porpoising the 4 blade will do a better job.
boats that are notorious for chine walking will drive better with a novice driver using a 4 blade.

not all boats are slower with 4 blades. i.e. bullets, this is because of engine heights and the
particular 4 blades geometry allowing for surfacing abilities of said 4 blade.

a huge majority of "bass boats" will hole shot and run faster on topend with a 3 blade.

it just depends on the application and what the customer wants out his setup.

hope that helps.. or atleast gets ya'll started in the right direction understanding the difference of 3 vs 4 blades.

just don't throw in the mix 5 blade props!! LOL

He's got a tub center console with an old 88 commercial johnson. It's short and deep, and when he packs four big whales in his boat it won't go. Duh. I steered him to a 14 pitch, 13 1/2" diameter powertech with small vents. Just the regular trophy clone, he doesn't need flats cup or anything like that. I'd even same him some coinage with a satin finish also.

I really dont arpicate you call then names Pat. You dont exactly look like a piller of fitness your self. At least these guys have valid reason for being a little heavy. whats yours? Most have sever medical peoples were getting out of the house is almost impossible at times Not to mention the medication some guys have to take causes wight gain. Its not like they are healthy have guts and not excuse for being a fat [censored] like some. i do apricate the help but i was just wondering what the difference between the 2 were no one really cold give me an answer I had asked. But steve got it squared away with a 15pitch

Dang dude, it wasn't an insult, big is big.

maybe he needs a 'whale tail'...

"seriously!" now cleanin' key board and screen....sorry but...

and a spell checker

If I am remembering correct Chemdawg is a war vet and has been blown up a few times by IEDs. He has had to relearn reading and writing from all the brain injuries he has suffered protecting our freedom. His posts are a bit hard to read but try to cut him some slack. He will get better the more he works on it. Thank you sir for your sacrifice.