4 blade prop v 5 blade prop ?

[05bill]

Discussion on 4 v 5 blade prop, pros, cons, cost ? I currently have 4 .

Thank you

05bill

 

[jerseysportfisher]

Whats your power, reduction, are you making rpm's now ? what do you look to gain ?

 

[05bill]

370, 3350-3400 rpm wot, yanmar, right where it should be, 22x20 prop..5 blade does it lessen prop noise , increase ,decrease rpm, advantages, disadvantages. everything is fine with 4 blade, but a little noisy on hull ?

 

[Blitzen]

Normally you would go with a 5 blade to increase surface area where diameter is a problem. Generally they are super smooth but do not necessarily increase or decrease performance over a 4 blade. If diameter is what is causing your problem you could run a smaller 5 blade and that might solve the noise issue by giving you more tip clearance. Cup could also help by holding water on the blade but not without changing pitch or diameter. Most folks including myself that have changed over to the Michigan DQX 4 blade propellers have been very happy with how smooth and quiet they are on the DE hulls.

 

[05bill]

interesting, thank you

 

[blackdiamond296]

Old thread about props, good read.

 

[traditions]

I'll second the DQX.It also turns a little harder than a regular 4 blade.It did away with 90 % of my prop noise.I tried a 5 blade and I didn't care for it.The thing reminded me of a three blade,kind of like having a baseball card in your spokes.

 

[joelucci33]

just put a DQX on our boat..very happy with its performance..gained about 1.3kt cruising too

 

[offshore31]

Joe, did you go with a 5 blade or stick with the 4 blade? I'm going to run it with the 5 blade this year. But am thinking of going to a 4 blade next year.

Joe