4 Blade vs 3 Blade

[bildit4u]

Have a 20' Baker mod vp tunnel hull with v nose deck, boat is pretty much the same as the Stoker Sport Tunnel, full interior estimate the boat weight at 1800# with driver, runnung a 15X28 hill et 4 blade reworked by Steves Custom Props, Steve did a good job on working this prop, the boat runs 81 mph Gps @ 6200 rpm, the motor is a modded 2.5 carb Merc. I am @3000' altitude also. The Question is from you guys experience do three blade props perform better than 4 blade, my experience has been the 3 blade Merc large ear chopper props run about the same but I have only tried some props props that I purchased of ebay and I dont think that they are the best examples of a 3 blade prop. I have never run a good unworked 3 blade like a Mazco RE, I have run a Spinelli DR 4 28 and the hill et has better top end. I hear 3 blades are faster than 4 blades but the 4 blades sure are smooth, I have hydraulic steering so steering torque is not a big issue here. By the way do not want to start a Hill prop Chitfest, just a comparison between 3 and 4 blade prop DESIGN..
Thanks for you guys experience.....

[stokernick]

have you had any work done on the SpinelliDR4,a much better prop than the Hill,IMHO!

[hsbob]

my experience on thru hub 3-4 blades is that the 4 are better for chime walk reduction and easier on the motor when surfaciing. the 3 blades are 1+mph faster on equal props [tempest-trophy]. so far i have not had a over the hub that is faster than my thru hubs.

[calhoon]

I am using a 4 blade on my Stream, a Trophy, and I find I do not get proper bow lift with it and can not brake the hull free. Great hole shot and mid range however. The 3 blade Tempest provides much better bow lift. Sorry but I have not been able to compare the same pitch on each. You may want to look through the tread "Prop selection... Voyager / 225 Promax"