Posts: 3508
Location: Elk River, Minnesota | Hiya,
The 3 blade is a good all around style for both speed and decent handling. Due to one less blade, the motor can turn the prop easier, thus allowing for a higher pitch prop, with a less hole shot. What manufacturers do to offset a slower hole shot is drill the vent holes in the hub of the prop to allow some exhaust gasses onto the blade of the prop, causing it to slip, creating higher RPMs, which at a certain point in the RPM range, the exhaust bypasses the ventholes, the prop grabs the water and shoots you up and out at a higher rpm.
A 4 blade is usually for heavier boats, hole shot and handling. Due to the extra surface area of the 4th blade, a lower pitch is needed to turn, which as a result gives excellent stern lift and an awesome hole shot.
With your motor, I would think a 3 blade aluminum would not be worth your time due to the flex and the lack of cup on the trailing edge. In a 3 blade steel, one with high rake and cup will give excellent bite for handling (especially at high motor settings) and top speeds. so...your assessment of steel vs aluminum is spot on.
I wonder if you could find a 3 blade tempest to try...
Steve |
