4 blade prop, 5 blade prop? Or stay with 3 blade prop?

Handymans342

I have been doing a lot of reading on 4 blade props. Has anyone tried a 4 blade on Bravo 1 or 2 outdrives? I know 4 blade props move more water but are not as efficient as 3 blade props? I hope Al can respond to this. Are all Bravo 3 duo props? Or single prop? Has anyone talked to any prop experts or know of any?  

Stodge

Surprised you have Bravo II drives.  I get faint at the idea of the cost of going 4 blade on my Bravo III drives.  

JC290

Handy what are you trying to get by changing props?

Handymans342

JC, I cant tell you because I will never hear the end of it but I was trying to move more water but not change RPM. I also read where 4 blades will save fuel too. 

JC290

Copy that lol a four blade can do both and get you a little more speed. What do you have now pitch diameter and what rpm

Handymans342

3400 RPM. I think its 21 pitch 19 diameter

JC290

Do you have aluminum props now?

raybo3

Oh Handy maybe you need gassers if you want more speed........LOL

Handymans342

Stainless props. Butt out Ray

Handymans342

I have no issue with docking now. Thanks AL. The 4 blade prop with cupping is what was recommended. It gets on plane fairly quickly as soon as the turbos spool up now. I was also told that I would have to go down in pitch to keep RPMs the same at WOT. To keep everyone from Laughing (RAY, JC, etc) I thought if I could get a few more MPH and more fuel economy over my absurd thirsty usage now then why not?

raybo3

Not laughing Handy that sounds like a good option. Hey Al you said you tested 4 blade on Bravo 3 with great results. OK what were the great results?????

Handymans342

Ray, do all Bravo 3 have dual props? 

Handymans342

I cant believe no one on here has tried a 4 blade prop. Guess I will be the first one at some point. 

Stodge

I believe all Bravo III are dual prop. 

Just priced some 4 blade B3 props.  Looking at $500x4 props.  Have to save a bunch on gas to break even on that upgrade.

Handymans342

Where did you get that price?

Handymans342

$1400 for 2 stainless 4 blade

Handymans342

Maybe I can talk Big Money Dream Inn to investing in a set as well. 

Stodge

http://www.hillmarine.net/Bravo-3-4-blade-propellers-p/tpl4ds-hpr4cs.htm

1 pair for 1 drive is $1080.  

JC290

Handy, going to a four blade will make for better fuel economy as Al said you will be able to plane at slower speeds, you more than likely will not pick up any top end speed. Will plan quicker even waiting on the turbos to spool up. On a gasser it would be the same loss of top end but better burn rate. The key for either is to keep your motor working in the right RPM range, I have gone from three blade to four blades on different boats I have owned over the years with some I have had to drop 2 pitch sizes to get the right RPM some 1 Pitch. Maybe you kind find a prop place to let you try and experiment. 

Handymans342

I dont think I can get any better mileage that 20MPG LOL. 
I have noticed that some 342s the same year have B3s and B2s. The same with other models. Maybe they were changed out. 

raybo3

Handy I have never seen 4 blade props for Bravo 3. It will be very interesting to see what Al found out about them......

Handymans342

Ray, what drives do you have? 

raybo3

Bravo 3

Handymans342

The advantage of a 4 blade prop is that you can stay on plane at a lower speed therefore saving fuel. You will also get up on plane faster. I got a price of $700 each with free exchange in 30 days. 

4 blade props are available for B3s. http://www.ptprop.com/

Stodge

Ray, the link I posted is for 4 blade Bravo 3 props.

JC290

Stodge you going to try them? if they do what they say they should pay for themselves in a season or two

Handymans342

Perfect for boats that have vessel view or what ever that gas crap system is. You could monitor before and after. They do have a $70 return fee plus shipping but at least you are not stuck with a set of props. 

Dream_Inn

Nice try Handy.  But I will definitely be watching for your results.  Of course because I have B2 drives as well.  I could benefit from better hole shot and lower speed planing.  Right now I have 2 new props on and 2 new spare ones. Not going to invest in anything else.  I would love to have something without a hub, but hope that is done with!

Stodge

Nah little too pricey just to try out.  I'm actually happy with the 1.1 to 1.2 MPG I'm getting at 28 MPH.

Cableguy Greg

They just came out with the 4/3 combo on Bravo 3's a few years ago. I would be interested in finding out how they perform. If I could keep the same 3 blade prop on the rear, I would seriously consider getting the 4 blade for the front prop.

Handymans342

You guys are so cheap. Fuel expense: No problem. Insurance: No problem. Slip: No problem. New GPS Chartplotter: No Problem. New TVS, stereo: No Problem. New Canvas, No Problem, But 1400 FOR PROPS: OH NO!  Come on! Man up!