Regarding boating: Does a 4 blade prop offer better performance than a 3 blade prop??

Question

I have a 4 blade prop on a 19 ft fish and ski boat.

Answer 1

3 propellers is better because it pushes the water harder

Answer 2

All these folks have the answers partially correct.  You also need to know the diameter or the blade size.  If you compare a shorter blade to a larger blade, larger displace or push more water through which will give you the speed as well as pull.  It also depends on the RPM your engine can provide.  There isn't a short answer on your question.  You pretty much can figure that out yourself.  Too large a blade with a low power engine will do absolutely nothing.  A three blade with the same length will definitely give you more pull or push than a four blade if you are doing the same speed/  Happy boating.

Answer 3

A 4 blade would move more water at a slower rpm. It would also take more hp to reach high rpm. the are 3 things about a propellor, diameter, number of blades and the most important, pitch. Your engine has to have a prop. of such a diameter that it does not interfere with the cavitation plate that is just above it. The pitch of the prop. needs to be calculated by an engineer or knowledgeable person. The pitch should be such that at full throttle your engine will run at max. rpm without over revving except if the prop gets in the air. The prop that comes with a new engine meets these specs. If you wish to change props. do it carefully, don't just slap a prop on and hope it works. Most boat shops should have charts that can tell you what props can be used on various engines to accomplish a certain purpose. Be safe wear your flotation device.

Answer 4

from what i was told at the dealer when i bought my last boat, a 3 blade will give more speed, since it has less resistance when cutting thru the water, the 4 blade has more pulling power due to the extra blade. i had to change from a 3 blade to a 4 blade on my pontoon due to the weight of the boat. if your pulling skiers, you probably are better off with the 4 blade on the boat you describe.

Answer 5

it wont change much maybe a little faster, and a little more control.

Answer 6

Is the prop hooked to a Evenrude 35 horse power.engine???

Answer 7

4 blade is better lift > hole shots> more low end power>smoother> but less top end>

Answer 8

just to add to what j g was saying if you change your prop from a 4 to a 3 blade make sure you ask the dealer to cross reference your prop to your boat package.  if you place the wrong prop on your boat it will send your whole lower unit out of wack and if you still have any kind of warranty that will most likely be voided. Just thought you should know.

Answer 9

4 blade is a better hole shot and a three blade is better top end