3 or 4 blade on a cruiser

Bandrews7 · 05-20-2014, 02:43 PM

My boat originated in Colorado so it was set up with F3 propellers based on the thin air and wide-open throttle. In order to maximize performance I do need to swap the blades. The question is three blade or four blade? They would be going on a 28 foot four winns Vista.

BroadHopper · 05-20-2014, 04:11 PM

You may want to go down and inch and try that. i.e. current 3 pitch is 23' the 4 blade pitch is 22'. The reason is the extra blade provide more 'bite'.

As to model, some provide more bow lift, some stern lift and others are neutral. It would be a trial and error fit. I would contact the manufacturer as to recommendation.

DickR · 05-20-2014, 07:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BroadHopper

You may want to go down and inch and try that. i.e. current 3 pitch is 23' the 4 blade pitch is 22'. The reason is the extra blade provide more 'bite'.

Whew! a pitch of 23 or 22 feet! If that prop is correctly sized and the engine is turning 3-4000 rpm, that boat must be supersonic!

BroadHopper · 05-20-2014, 07:38 PM

Definitely need to be invisible at that speed!

znh · 05-21-2014, 08:36 AM

One more for going with the factory recommended replacement. Changing pitches and blade styles and all that can mess with how the engine was matched to the OEM prop. Try calling Melvin Village Marina, they are the Four Winns dealer on Winni and are always very helpful...

jrc · 05-21-2014, 10:38 AM

You may try asking on the ifourwinns.com website. I get a lot of got info for my boat there. If you asked a few weeks ago I could have told you what props I have. I know they are three blades but don't remember the pitch. Now they are underwater.

You might also try Fourwinns themselves, they can tell you what props the boat had from the factory. My boat will run close to 5000 RPM at WOT, as it should, with factory props.

You can also try calling Winnisquam Marine, they did sell Fourwinns and know them well.

Do your research those props are pricey and overloading your engine can cause issues.

salty dog · 05-21-2014, 08:42 PM

I would do a baseline test run. Take the boat to WOT; see what the mph is and at what rpm. Then see if that matches the factory specs. Find out how your model is propped OEM at sea level. If you are currently running in the acceptable range you might just leave it alone. However, 4 blades can get you on plane faster and they may give better performance/economy at regular cruise speed (but not higher top end).

Dave R · 05-22-2014, 03:17 PM

"F3" say VP DP to me. That means you already have 6 big blades (or 12 if you have twin engines) in the water. You don't need any more blade area than that.

05-20-2014, 02:43 PM	#1
Bandrews7 Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Holden, ma Posts: 45 Thanks: 44 Thanked 8 Times in 5 Posts	3 or 4 blade on a cruiser My boat originated in Colorado so it was set up with F3 propellers based on the thin air and wide-open throttle. In order to maximize performance I do need to swap the blades. The question is three blade or four blade? They would be going on a 28 foot four winns Vista. __________________ "Isabethan"

05-20-2014, 04:11 PM	#2
BroadHopper Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Laconia NH Posts: 5,570 Thanks: 3,205 Thanked 1,101 Times in 793 Posts	Definitely a 4 Blade. You may want to go down and inch and try that. i.e. current 3 pitch is 23' the 4 blade pitch is 22'. The reason is the extra blade provide more 'bite'. As to model, some provide more bow lift, some stern lift and others are neutral. It would be a trial and error fit. I would contact the manufacturer as to recommendation. __________________ Someday may never be an actual day.

05-20-2014, 07:38 PM	#4
BroadHopper Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Laconia NH Posts: 5,570 Thanks: 3,205 Thanked 1,101 Times in 793 Posts	Speed of Light. Definitely need to be invisible at that speed! __________________ Someday may never be an actual day.

05-21-2014, 08:42 PM	#7
salty dog Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Beverly Cove, Ma Posts: 359 Thanks: 288 Thanked 148 Times in 82 Posts	I would do a baseline test run. Take the boat to WOT; see what the mph is and at what rpm. Then see if that matches the factory specs. Find out how your model is propped OEM at sea level. If you are currently running in the acceptable range you might just leave it alone. However, 4 blades can get you on plane faster and they may give better performance/economy at regular cruise speed (but not higher top end). __________________ I'd rather be relax'n at Winnipesaukee

The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to Bandrews7 For This Useful Post:

05-21-2014, 08:36 AM	#5
znh Senior Member Join Date: May 2012 Posts: 156 Thanks: 30 Thanked 40 Times in 25 Posts	One more for going with the factory recommended replacement. Changing pitches and blade styles and all that can mess with how the engine was matched to the OEM prop. Try calling Melvin Village Marina, they are the Four Winns dealer on Winni and are always very helpful...

05-21-2014, 10:38 AM	#6
jrc Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: NH Posts: 2,689 Thanks: 33 Thanked 439 Times in 249 Posts	You may try asking on the ifourwinns.com website. I get a lot of got info for my boat there. If you asked a few weeks ago I could have told you what props I have. I know they are three blades but don't remember the pitch. Now they are underwater. You might also try Fourwinns themselves, they can tell you what props the boat had from the factory. My boat will run close to 5000 RPM at WOT, as it should, with factory props. You can also try calling Winnisquam Marine, they did sell Fourwinns and know them well. Do your research those props are pricey and overloading your engine can cause issues.

The Following User Says Thank You to jrc For This Useful Post:
Bandrews7 (05-21-2014)

05-22-2014, 03:17 PM	#8
Dave R Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 2,984 Thanks: 246 Thanked 743 Times in 443 Posts	"F3" say VP DP to me. That means you already have 6 big blades (or 12 if you have twin engines) in the water. You don't need any more blade area than that.