3 vs 4 blade

Mark,
Roughly, the # 3 topic here in the forums is proping you boat. Do a search and start reading!! You WOT RPM would be great to know too. If someone is directing you to a 4 blade, they most likely are not informed on the latest 3 blade props. (or, they have a 4 blade they want to sell!! )

On my 95 snob with a 1.23:1 tranny and the standard motor I am running the Acme 470 three blade. Smooth as glass. It is a great prop for skiing. It will pull your arms off, and I have pulled up 5-6 folks on slalom with little effort. I do think I have lost a bit of top end, but I rarely run it WOT for very long. As before, lots of info here on props. Start reading, and weighing the pros and cons for each one! A new CNC'd prop will be a lot better than any old one.

I've been very impressed with my CNC acme 208 4 blade. I will probably buy a 540 to see how that stacks up to the 208 I have to really compare 3 to 4 blades, in a very much like for like with almost no other variables than the number of blades.

I think you'll be happier with a 4 blade, they seem to lift the stern a little more smoothing the wake.
I have a new cnc 3 blade on my boat and I'm looking forward to try a custom made 4 blade.

Look again, it's a SIX blade!!!

I do not have the gt-40. I havent really noticed much growling, but, I really havent compared the 470 to a good CNC'd 4 blade. DOnt get me thinking about growling!! Ignorance is bliss. My buddy has a 470 on his snob (with the GT 40 motor) and his boat just isnt as smooth as mine. We have aligned it and check everything we could think of. I think some hulls just run better than others.

storm34 wrote: I'm with Jody, I hate the growl the boat makes when turning with a 3 blade.

The old school cast 3-blades that came on the early 90's Nautiques are the only ones Ive actually heard/felt growl like youre describing, Chris. They do it in a hard turn only- I believe a hard left turn will induce it. Sound about right? Keith's '94 did this with the 3-blade OJ.

The new-school 3-blades dont do anything like that. They make a *touch* more noise than the 4-blades, but I wouldnt call it a "growl". More of a very slight "chugging" that you notice at skiing speeds. Most people wouldnt notice the difference unless you ran a 3-blade right after the 4-blade though. The CNC 3's are still light years ahead of any of the cast props (3's and 4's alike) in terms of smoothness, not to mention performance.

4 blades are usually the prop of choice with the HO 351's with the 1.23, but that has more to do with the props available than it does with 3 vs. 4 blades. No one makes a 3-blade CNC prop with more than 15" of pitch, and the more powerful motors that are only meant to turn 4800-5000 need a bit more than that to keep the revs in check. The non-HO boats, on the other hand, will usually see better performance from a 3-blade, as there are a number of props to choose from in the 11-14" pitch range.

Go to the "Links" section on CCF- we have a standing 20% discount with Delta.

I had an Acme 541 on my old MC that growled like crazy when you bought the boat off plane. Great performance, but a bit noisy. Love the 422 on my 98 Ski.

Jody, does OJ make anything for an older (1:1) CC (12x13, 12x14, 13x13, 13x14, etc- RH obviously) in their XMP line? Or is the 13x15.5 4-blade for the 1.23:1 the only one they offer?

Tim, Their is a complete line of 13" wheels readily available from OJ in all three lines of propeller XMP, Legend and Force, smaller dia wheels can be supplied upon request but of course their is a bit of an up-charge on special order props. 100% satisfaction guaranteed. The last one I had built was a 11.75X20 4blade SS Very fine quality and performance. Eric will build most anything anyone would want in a propeller.

Riley sorry no! Only OJ products.

Merry Christmas to all!!
Jody

On their XMP,(CNC line), my understanding is the OJ's have more meat on the blades than an Acme, so if I was considering going from a 13x12 in an Acme to a 13x12.625 in an Acme, a 13x12 OJ would be more similar to the Acme 13x12.625? I've been considering a different prop for our Malibu Sporster. It has the 310 carb engine. Manual states red line is 4800. It turns 5050 with even 3 people in it. It's got way more hole shot than it needs. I'm thinking a little more prop would be just as good or better all around and may increase top end slightly and better fuel economy for cruising. Does that sound right to you?

For comparison's sake on blade area, here's my old Acme 541 next to a comparable OJ XMP 13x12. Acme has a throwing star thing going for it.

east tx skier wrote: For comparison's sake on blade area, here's my old Acme 541 next to a comparable OJ XMP 13x12. Acme has a throwing star thing going for it.

I see these are left hand unless the picture is inverted would any of the two be for sale provided they were left hand? And not Gold plated! LOL!!!

Tim I would have to say that is an incomplete and overall rather vague application chart and will see if we can make it more complete and informative for future usage. As for your application more information is needed as always What Rpm are you running and is the motor stock? Any Hp upgrades? And also what is the overall desire? Top speed? Holding speed with a load? Out of the hole? And if you have any initial thoughts on what size you would like to try and will work for your application.
Keep in mind my price list comes as blade dia and three or four, Pitch is inconsequential for my purposes for pricing.
We have been working on some stuff for the 200 even stepping up as high as a 14" wheel, though the project has been shelved for a few months.

Thought I would ask ETS because I have a customer that could use a discounted used prop for an upcoming build. Also I am flush with right hand wheels for emergency customers but have no lefty's.