Do you prefer a 3 or 4 blade prop? Why?
Do you prefer a 3 or 4 blade prop? Why?
2017 Crestliner VT 18 DX
Mercury 115 ProXS
Motorguide X3 70lb 24V
TP Express Mach 4 13 x 19
"Follow Me," Jesus told them, "and I will make you fish for people!" Mark 1:17
4 blade - i lose 3mph top end from 44mph but sharp turns do not blow out. Rather have hole shot than top end.
It really depends on the boat and motor and setup.
I was running a 6” jp
Then a 3” jp
Now no jp
My current prop is a 21 pitch Michigan Wheel Apollo. It has about 10% slip but keeps me in the right rpms. Cold weather 40’s it’s 6050 but I don’t run wide open then anyways. Summer 5750 which is perfect.
I’ve tried quite a few props over the years and definitely prefer the ride of a 4 blade. Unfortunately the way to get one to work is modify it and once you do that it seems to lose either the soft ride or just doesn’t quite perform in all weather in the rpm range needed.
i have the stock 115 4 stroke on 18 ft ranger al the turning point 4 blade 21 pitch works great no jp
I had a 2012 Xpress X 17, 115 Yamaha on a 6" plate that I ran a 3 blade 21" Power Tech. Good hole shot and good top end, 51.5 mph. Sold to a daughter and SIL last summer and have X 18 with 150 now.
Ranger rt 188p 24p tempest.
Bad spellers of the world untie!
I like the handling of my 4 blade and the way it grabs in rough water riding troughs ect
Tried a couple 4 blades on mine, lost speed and didn't handle any better so I wen't back to a 3 blade.
Thanks for all your input. I ended up purchasing a stainless 4 blade Turning Point 13x19 and it's whole shot is good and the first day out with it top end was 47mph gps. My max RPM's are a bit low at 5,300. I'm satisfied with it, picked up a couple miles per hour over my wore out 4 blade aluminum and it feels stronger out of the hole. I almost ordered the 21p.
Last edited by tjsellsfords; 06-21-2021 at 07:04 PM.
2017 Crestliner VT 18 DX
Mercury 115 ProXS
Motorguide X3 70lb 24V
TP Express Mach 4 13 x 19
"Follow Me," Jesus told them, "and I will make you fish for people!" Mark 1:17
2015 Ranger RT188 DC; BassCat Storage Box; Mercury Optimax 115ProXS;
19" Spitfire X7; Vessel View Mobile; Minn Kota Ultrex 80; GForce Handle;
TM Eliminator; Helix 7 G2N SI Combo F/R; HydroWave KVD; BBT 4" Angled Bow Mount; Durasafe Locks for Electronics and Ultrex;
Twist Step Boarding Ladder; EZEE Step ES1; BAC RAC Rod Storage; Motor Mate Transom Saver
2017 Crestliner VT 18 DX
Mercury 115 ProXS
Motorguide X3 70lb 24V
TP Express Mach 4 13 x 19
"Follow Me," Jesus told them, "and I will make you fish for people!" Mark 1:17
I am glad that Turning Point prop worked out well for you. I tried their 4 blade stainless 23" pitch on mine and 42 mph at 5800 RPM was all I could get out of it, even after adjusting the jack plate several times, the boat didn't handle that well with it either.
keep in mind the Mercury 115 Pro XS 4S should be running at 6,000 to 6,300 rpm's at wot. If your running below that your not doing yourself or the motor justice. If your not getting into the RPM range you are over propped.
2024 Phoenix 818, Mercury 175. Trick Steps, 3 Garmin 106 SV,s, LVS 34. BoatEFX dual bow mount. Ionic 12V 125AH, 2 12V 100 ah LiTime’s for the TM. Minn Kota 345 PCL charger,
mercury engine specks standard 115 wot range 5k-6k pro xs 53k-63k you need to be in these ranges and you will be fine i will assume top end of range will get you best performance but i do not want to run my motoe wot all the time you have 1k rpm to play with and still be withen specs