What is the proper Pitch for a 5 Blade Propeller on a Mercruiser?

Question

I running a Mercruiser 470 / 170 hp with an aluminum 3 blade 14 X 19 (Pitch) prop. I Want to up grade to the High Five to get a better whole shot for pulling Water Skiers. The 14 x 19 prop get me to the MAX RPMs for the engine's rating. What is the proper pitch for the 5 blade prop if I'm currently running a 14 x19 3 Blade prop?

Answer 1

Talk to your Merc tech, but i wouldn't recomend a five blade prop for a 470.  This motor is too low HP.

Answer 2

I wouldn't recommend this.  Your underpowered and your not going to remedy that with this prop, which takes a little more power than the 3 blade.  So, ask around and find someone using the High-Five on the same engine, and ask how it's doing.  Given the cost, I don't think I'd go that route.

Answer 3

Contact a prop shop> As with my 48 sportfish going to a 4 blade from a 3 blade> I dropped 2 pitches with an extra cup> to keep my same RPM max> Your top end will not be as good with the extra blades> But hole shot will be improved>

Answer 4

The High Five is a smaller diameter and I'm pretty sure that Merc. recommends staying with the same pitch as a three blade if your engine RPM's are already good, so you'd probably need the 13 1/4 x 19.  I don't know what model drive or current rpm you're running, so there's a link to Merc. prop selector below.  Enter all of your details and it will tell you for sure.