30p big ear chopper, why is it so different than the 28 and down big ears?

**LakeFever** · 05-25-2025, 06:02 AM

I recently picked up a 30p big ear small shaft chopper. I wonder why it’s built so different than all the other big ear choppers? For starters it’s a 14” instead of being a 14.5” like my 28 and 26 are. The 30 has a lot less blade area than the smaller pitches and while this may just be my prop it has very little to no trailing edge cup compared to the others as well.

It got me wondering about this thing and why it’s so different? I’d like to hear why it was designed this way if anyone knows and what advantages it brings. By my eye it’s more similar to my small ear choppers than my other big ears it’s just a thicker blade version.

**OnPad** · 05-25-2025, 05:31 PM

How does it run compared to a 26, or 28?

**LakeFever** · 05-25-2025, 06:00 PM

I haven’t run it yet I just bought it but while looking it over and comparing against my other props it’s very very different. In almost every way aside from being an over hub round ear its blade shape is way smaller. It’s possible it’s been cut but it doesn’t look cut to anything racey just like a small ear, maybe even less blade area than a small ear. I might cut a pattern and compare closer

**KIRCHNER** · 05-25-2025, 08:32 PM

i read something about the 30 being different than other chopppers. there was a mercury list/chart showing all the choppers on s/f maybe you can find it

**LakeFever** · 05-25-2025, 08:39 PM

I have all the info posted about it. The only thing I knew about these is that they are 14” diameter where all the other big ears are 14.5” diameter. I didn’t think the blade design would be so different though which got me to thinking who designed it and why these changes? I’m sure there’s a story about it. Would love to know

**OnPad** · 05-25-2025, 08:46 PM

Didn't merc add the diameter back when they added the flo torq hub to the chopper 2..?

**LakeFever** · 05-26-2025, 03:22 AM

I don’t know that either. This one I have is a pressed hub small shaft. What keeps coming to mind is, this is essentially a one off prop. It shares the barrel and hub and nothing else with the other choppers. Seems a lot of work for a scarcely sold prop

**KIRCHNER** · 05-26-2025, 09:20 AM

Originally Posted by LakeFever

I don’t know that either. This one I have is a pressed hub small shaft. What keeps coming to mind is, this is essentially a one off prop. It shares the barrel and hub and nothing else with the other choppers. Seems a lot of work for a scarcely sold prop

all other choppers have big trailing edge cup, hope it hooks up for u. i have rare DENNIS chopper,pressed hub made for record setting shadow bass boats from the 80s. a beautiful piece. found it on ebay priceless.

**LakeFever** · 05-26-2025, 12:08 PM

I’m not too concerned about the cup. I have a bunch of choppers and some have more than others. The ones with the least amount run best on my stream. You don’t need a lot of bow lift with these hulls at all. Anyways I’ll be out testing it soon hopefully within a week. Hoping someone who knows the scoop on the back story of these shows up in here at some point though. Just curious it’s not a critical concern

**XstreamVking** · 05-26-2025, 01:03 PM

I found the old chopper thread. It refers to the prop you have as an odd ball chopper. So yours might not be cut or shaped.
https://www.screamandfly.com/showthr...l-chopper-info

**LakeFever** · 05-27-2025, 05:42 AM

In that thread the one comment about the 30 is that it’s a small ear shape and design but big ear strength. It sure looks that way to me. Hopefully it performs like a small ear because I love those props they’re just so thin. Cracky mcracky prone.

**XstreamVking** · 05-27-2025, 06:45 AM

My King likes the big blade chopper. Runs flat and fast with no trim. You run a Lightning ET on yours yet?

**LakeFever** · 05-27-2025, 06:52 AM

No et yet. I sent in a 28 big ear for a cut and was talked out of it. Apparently that 28 had never seen a hammer or had a nick on a blade and I was convinced it was too pure to cut up. I have another 28 big ear that is also excellent. I’m playing with 30’s just to see where my motor wants the pitch. Still tuning a bit as well so not fully dialed. Once I get the whole set up maxed out I’ll probably get an et then that’s pitched to match all the tuning. I’m in no rush for this I’m enjoying this whole process immensely. Tinkering is half the fun

**XstreamVking** · 05-27-2025, 08:00 AM

Yeah, they are a lot of fun to tweak since they respond so drastically to the slightest change. Very responsive hulls. I have been running mine for 40 yrs. with all kinds of power and set ups.

**LakeFever** · 05-27-2025, 08:22 AM

Ya for sure. I picked up a Yamaha 24 drag as well to play with this year. I still have a cleaver I haven’t tried yet too. Hoping to give these all a crack this year. It’s not as easy as it sounds I usually run with a group and they all cruise 80 and often push 110+ so I’m a back of the pack guy as it is. If I run a 24 I’ll simply get left behind haha. My rig will run mid to high 80’s all day without issue I have quite a few good props for this. I’m trying to get to the c note and be able to run 90’s all day. I can get over 90 but I’m screaming the snot out of it to do so with my 28 hoss