wondering if 5 blades or 4 better for top end 38 lightning 575sci 2002 hull and best pitch on these combos.currently running 5,s but wondering if the 4,s work better in poker runs and upper crusise speeds.

I tried 5 blades on my 2000 42 and was very disappointed.

I have an 02 38 w/575's too. look through my posts and you'll see what I've done.
In the beginning I had Bravo 32's, did 93MPH, and cracked 4 props in a year. The 4 blades worked best for getting on plane.
I switched to 32 labbed Maximus' and did 90 or so and cracked one prop in 3 years. Midrange/cruising was 5-7 MPH faster per same RPMs. The best all around prop.
I have 35 Hering 6 blades now and do 102.5 MPH. The leading edges are always getting dinged up. The worst for getting on plane.

At what oint did you turn up the motors and putty the shorty drive on.
Thanks,
Allen

hydro's? I have 29 P5X's & they work great on my '98 42, It may have a couple MPH left on the table with 4 blades, but it jumps on plane & has awesome cruise speed

32 Bravo 93MPH GPS
32 Max 90MPH
Chillers and pulleys
32 Max 96MPH rev limited @ 5350 RPM
32 P5X 96MPH rev limited, got on plane better than the Max's but not as well as the Bravos
-1 lower and 35 Hering 100MPH
Sharpened skeg 102.5MPH 5 men and 200 gallons of fuel
Later that day 102.5MPH 5 men and 60 gallons of fuel

Next ???
5 blade ???
-2 1.36:1 lower and 33 hering 7 blade???

I think it's faster because my wallet is soooooo light now!

I may be barely touching the limiter when light but generally this boat has been faster when heavy. What's with that?

Me too. I think it because our drives are pretty deep compared to later years. I want to try some 2" shorties and some 5's.

thanks for the in-put this is not a staggered set-up but did find out from the fountain that it left the factory with 32 pitch 4 blades with a reading of 90 mph.would like to try the 4 blades just to personally know the difference at this time.