Testing new 4 blade prop on Hewes 18 redfisher

Laubscher_Tales

All I have to say is if your on the fence on getting a 4 blade prop, do it.  Best decision I have made on this boat.

https://youtu.be/Y6Z6S6bb8aE

greenbone

What HP and make engine are you running? I have a 18MA , 150 Yammy and have tossed the idea around for a 4 blade

10kman

Asked  dealer about switching to 4 blade and he
told me it would put too much strain on 115 
Yamaha.

livebait1

if it's too much strain why does Yamaha list a Talon SS-4 for flats and bay boats?

10kman

Am only quoting the source,not the time for AR-15"s for the messenger.

gogittum

10kman said:

Asked  dealer about switching to 4 blade and he
told me it would put too much strain on 115 
Yamaha.

Strange.  Many years ago, I owned a 16 ft Tahiti ski boat with a 115 Mercury.  The 3 blade was the "power prop" for skiing, etc. and would run the boat to about ~47 mph, IIRC.  No idea of diameter or pitch.

The 2 blade was the "speed prop" and would kick that little boat to around 52 - 53 mph, but wasn't recommended because of the twisting effect it would have on the lower unit gears.  No idea of the truth of that, but it was the wisdom of the time.  (1972)

True or not,  just thinking about it, I would think that the 4 blade would give a more even, smoother push than a 3 blade.  To my thinking, diameter and pitch would affect the strain on the motor, not the number of blades.

james 14

I put a 4-blade on my 18' flats boat and it made a positive difference...also a PowerTech. Although, I think part of that difference was having an actual prop company run the numbers and pick the correct prop.

Also, nothing about a 4-blade is going to be inherently more straining on a motor. The 4-blade will grip better so it'll act like it's a higher pitch, thus lowering the RPMs; but this is something that should be accounted for when deciding on the proper size and pitch. If the motor is running in the correct RPM range at WOT, you're fine no matter have many blades you have.

Laubscher_Tales

10kman said:

Asked  dealer about switching to 4 blade and he
told me it would put too much strain on 115 
Yamaha.

My engine is a 115 SHO

Gary S

Weight of the prop would be the difference.

Missed

I run 4 blades on a 15 hp and a 60 hp.  Way I understand it, 4 blades supposed to give more low and mid-range performance, 3 blades are more for top end.

Crkr23

I went to a 4 blade 10 yrs ago on a deep vee center console.  I got better fuel economy and handling with it plus a lot of stern lift. 
With the stern lift you should love a 4 blade on a flats boat.