Props….3 blade or 4 blade

[Guest August 5th 2004 1244 pmpcbass]

I have a 1999 Jag with a 225 Merc. I have pulled two plugs from my four blade, 25 pitch prop that was factory installed. I still do not see a hole shot. I have a terible time loading the boat on the trailer. The engine just cannot push that prop to move the boat on the trailer. Instead, the engine just bogs down. I have to dunk the trailer, then pull out and line up the boat…..this is not normal. I should be able to drive the boat onto the trailer, and push it in place using the engine. The engine performs extremely well, but it has done this since purchased. I cant even get it blow water out while trying to load the boat. Should I go to a three blade prop? What are the differences between 3 and 4 blade props….pros and cons??

[CatchingBassCat]

I can help you out a little bit. A three blade prop will hold more rpms than a four blade. You may want to try a 25p Tempest but you should be able to turn the 25p four blade with no problem. I heard the same thing your saying from another guy around here. He had a Skeeter with 225EFI Merc and he would have a hard time loading it up on the trailer. I have a Pro XB 250 with a 27p Tempest. The top end speed was good with it (around 80 gps) but would constantly “fight” the steering wheel. I tried a 27p Trophy and the top end speed was slower (around 75-76 gps) but I wasnt having to “fight” the steering wheel. That is one of the downfalls of hydraulic steering.Chris

[pcbass]

Your 4 blade is a little too big . Im running to same boat , with 25 3 blade . It blows out in 4 footers so I tried half way plugging the holes . Wouldnt even try to get up on plane . Anyhow , When going to a 4blade you have to go to a small pitch . I would say a 23 in a thur hub , or 24 in a over the hub .Im hope ing to try one this weekend myself . Ill let you know what I find out .The only advantage That I can find for a four blade is on the great lake . They dont blow out as much . The boat feels like its higher in the water , or on . And the biggie , more bow lift .But keep in mind , pitch = how far the boat is soppose to move with one turn of the prop . So by going to a smaller pitch , you may slow down a little . About 2 or 3 mph. . 5 for a 5 blade .Oh , and I have a friend that runs a 25p. 4 blade ,but he has a 250 . And he has all the holes open .

[wolflb2]

Im struggling with same problem getting on trailer with 4 blade renegade. I have had some luck playing with trim and feathering throttle to get RPMs up. If I dont feather it then it bogs down and dies but if I s-l-o-w-l-y increase and play with trim I have found the right combination twice. And when its right both times I shot forward so fast I had to shut it down before I slammed into the winch. I still cut the engine too soon and had to crank on the last two feet.Seems like there is too much friction on the bunks. Im going to try some of those teflon bunk glides.

[CatchingBassCat]

If you go with the Teflon glides make sure to leave your winch hooked to your boat until you launch it into the water. I seen a guys boat come off his trailer while he was getting back into the water. He had the Teflon on his bunks but he was very lucky because his boat is aluminum. Id hate to see what would happen to a fiberglass boat if it fell off the trailer onto a concrete ramp.Chris

[Bass Cat Boats]

Well, contrary to the above, I dont think there is anything wrong with the prop pitch. You must be running a 25 trophy and that is what you should have. Keep removing plugs and adjusting to hole sizes until the motor can jump to 3500-4000rpms and you get a decent hole shot. If you end up with no plugs and you are still not there, try removing the cavitation ring if it has one. When you do this you will probably have to adjust the plugs again. If you find you have all plugs removed and the cavitation ring removed and you are not there, then its time to check out the motor. My personal boat, FTD w/225opti & 25trophy, has incredible hole shot with 4 medium plugs and cavitation ring. I hope this helps!

[Bass Cat Boats]

Ditto to SMBassmans comments on the PVS plugs and ventilation rings. Also have your mechanic check the TPI on your engine. 225 EFIs were notorious for needing it adjusted continually.BCB

[pcbass]

I guess everyone here knows more then someone does nothing all day but work on props .Granted , you can try to remove the last plug ,first . But the reasons for using a four blade prop are being defeated by increasing the amount of air around the prop .The 2nd. biggest killer of motors, before vntilated props, was guys trying to run too big of prop . They had no hole shot , but if they did come down on plane theyd fly . But , the time your motor works the hardest is the hole shot .

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