3 blade propeller vs 4 blades

not sure if it will help much other than getting out of the hole. Typically the 4-blades lose top end speed while adding low end hole shot. With the added weight and the four blade allowing the engine to work a little easier you might see a little better performance and fuel savings while it is loaded down and you are boarding but when your not then I think it goes against you in regards to fuel savings.

What's your take Tim?

also is a there a specific model/brand you are looking at?

Your 2 goals (performance and fuel efficiency) are in opposition to each other.

To increase performance (better holeshot with weight, speed holding, etc), you'll want to increase RPM's by decreasing prop pitch.

To improve fuel efficiency, you'll want to decrease RPM's by increasing prop pitch.

A 4-blade might get out of the water a little quicker than a 3-blade if everything else was held equal (diameter, pitch and cup), but thats not exactly the case. The modern 3-blades offered by Acme (470, 1442)have a touch less pitch than the 4-blade (Acme 422, OJ 428), so theyre a better all around prop (IMO), especially for a weighted boat. They get out of the water quicker and end up being faster on the top end as well.

That being said, if youre currently running the stock prop (likely a 14x16 3-blade Federal), you should a big improvement in performance (and possibly efficiency) with ANY of the new Acme's or OJ XMP's. Theyre all good props.

My personal choice if I were using the boat like you would either be the Acme 1442 or 470.

Good Info,
Years ago I ripped the bottom off my '93 ski, in Colorado. In getting all the work done we went down like half a size on the prop to help with the high density altitudes that we delt with on the front range, 5000ft, altitude densitys up to 8000ft (75% power). Mostly we had a hard time with the carburated boat mantaining a good wakeboard speed.
Now I've moved back to Alabama, re-jetted the carb, again, but I'm sure the smaller prop is hurting my efficency. Been thinking about stealing my buddys dad orginal prop to help out the situation, their boat only sees the water 2-3 times a year since my best friend growing up on the lake with, still lives in Colorado and doesnt come home but once a year.
BTW found my orginal prop 6 weeks later:
http://www.brittcrowell.com/2002/2002-08-07_we_dont_need_no_prop/

Britt

Eric is the owners name, his wife is Sue. All other info is correct and spot on.
They are a family owned and operated repair and manufacturing facility.Service is top notch and knowledge is premium......Boat dr

Eric , different Eric, same name less BS.....
And that is Mr. Billy to you..........
                   Boat dr

boat dr wrote: Eric , different Eric, same name less BS..... And that is Mr. Billy to you..........                    Boat dr

Mr Billy, that one really made me ROFLOL...!

OK, so I am still confused. I just bought a 87 CC Riviera that is said to have 13/1 4 blade prop on it and a 15/1 3 blade extra. Previous owner said that the 15/1 should be faster top end but slower out of the hole, which says to me that the 15/1 is also better on gas all things being equal. Thoughts?

OK, what I am gathering from all of this is that no one really knows if a 3 blade or 4 blade is better. On top of that, still don't know if a 13/1 or a 15/1 is faster on top end.

Hey I was doing some research today on which prop is better. 3 or 4 blade. On wakeworld.com I read that a lot of the wakeboarders prefer newer acme 3 blade. I am not choosing brands its just the one people happened to be talking about. go check it out. lots of info on the different props

OK, seems the issue is that I don't know the right question to ask. No problem. I will leave the current prop on, the 4 blade, until I am more knowledgeable! Definitely not going to buy a new one! Thanks for all of the attempts.

Best,

On the wakeoworld site, there's this guy named Karl DeLoof, he owns a boardshop called Boarditup.com, he's one of the larger propeller sellers for ski boats around, when re-propping for wakeboard he's the man to ask over there. He's a wakeboarder himself and understands both mechanical and boarding perfomance.