4 Blade Prop on Sabre?

[Anonymous]

Hello All –

Is anyone/has anyone run a 4 blade prop on a Sabre? If so was wondering how the boat performed, did you lose the typical 2-3 mph top end, etc. I am running a Raker HO now on my 150 G2 Etec and am in the market for a spare prop. I was thinking of potentially an RX4 but only if there was a few potential points of significant benefit. My hole shot now with the Raker HO is fine so that’s not an issue. Didn’t know if anyone had experience with more bow lift, being able to run higher on the plate, significant handling improvements, etc. With me alone the boat is OK as is now. I add a passenger and performance drops off a ton. I feel like the Raker cant carry a load at all. Appreciate it all.

[Wheelman]

I don’t know Evinrude props as I have a Mercury, but have run a Trophy 4-blade prop on my Sabre FTD. It is about 2mph slower than the Fury 3-blade and 1mph slower than Tempest 3-blade while being a pitch lower than both. It has better hole shot and carries a load better than the 3-blades especially the Fury as it has more lift with more blade surface which translates to better fuel economy along with smoother ride in rough water. Here’s a video I took some time ago, hope that helps.

[Anonymous]

Thanks Wheelman, appreciate it as always. Love that video! I am still on a quest to get my rig fully dialed in. Regardless if I run a 24″ pitch or 25″ pitch Raker HO, even during the summer I am hitting the limiter. I’ve been lowering the engine to drop the RPM’s but admittedly, now am a bit deep at over 4″ PTP and the boat just doesn’t feel right. This Etec G2 HO wants to run high. I’m fine managing the RPM’s, but on longer runs I’d like to set the trim and focus on driving not on the gauges. I am contemplating a 4 blade at 24″ which I am hoping lowers the RPM’s by maybe 300 from my baseline, which then I can lift 1/4 to 1/2 inch and regain some of the RPM’s and the speed lost going from a 3 blade to a 4 blade plus better handling and load carrying. Getting tired of messing with this rig to get her to run right.

[Wheelman]

Jeeper8822:

Thanks Wheelman, appreciate it as always. Love that video! I am still on a quest to get my rig fully dialed in. Regardless if I run a 24″ pitch or 25″ pitch Raker HO, even during the summer I am hitting the limiter. I’ve been lowering the engine to drop the RPM’s but admittedly, now am a bit deep at over 4″ PTP and the boat just doesn’t feel right. This Etec G2 HO wants to run high. I’m fine managing the RPM’s, but on longer runs I’d like to set the trim and focus on driving not on the gauges. I am contemplating a 4 blade at 24″ which I am hoping lowers the RPM’s by maybe 300 from my baseline, which then I can lift 1/4 to 1/2 inch and regain some of the RPM’s and the speed lost going from a 3 blade to a 4 blade plus better handling and load carrying. Getting tired of messing with this rig to get her to run right.

You’re welcome, usually there’s always a trade off and I just enjoy tinkering/trying different things though sounds like you’re on the right track with yours. You’ve plugged in your numbers and played with the prop slip calculator right?

https://www.mercuryracing.com/propellers-overview/prop-slip-calculator.html

[Anonymous]

I also enjoy the tinkering game. I’m at the point currently where I’m worried about doing damage to the engine and spending a lot of time managing the RPM’s while underway. I’ve run the slip calculator before depending on the most recent data I have and it is always 3-4.5 or so, which feels low. I don’t really know what the fix is though to get it routinely 5-7+.

[Wheelman]

Jeeper8822:

I also enjoy the tinkering game. I’m at the point currently where I’m worried about doing damage to the engine and spending a lot of time managing the RPM’s while underway. I’ve run the slip calculator before depending on the most recent data I have and it is always 3-4.5 or so, which feels low. I don’t really know what the fix is though to get it routinely 5-7+.

I’m not sure about Evinrude props, but the Fury runs stiff and so a 24” is more like 24.7” from what I’ve read and that raises the slip % to 7-8 which is more normal.

[Author]

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