88Mach1
 

How is it in the turns? Does the prop lose bite and how is it fully loaded-fuel, guests-Easy to get on plane? Generally go 1" smaller if using a 4 blade. 3 blade wil run faster if it keeps its bite in the turns and it planes easily.

Like I said, I run a boat with about the same displacement and similar hull design......I will never go back to a 3 blade. Handling is much better on my boat with a 4 blade prop. Handles better in rough water (better bight in churned up water), handles better around the dock (small steering inputs and small throttle inputs do more than with a 3 blade), and I can get on plane with 6 people and a full tank MUCH easier than with a 3 blade. I don't know about you, but I don't do a LOT of boating without some people with me and a fairly full fuel tank (not to mention all the gear, food, and beverages people bring with them). For my money the 4 blade is without question the better choice. I'll give up the 1-2 mph on the top end to have a better all around prop. You'll find that your cruising speed and efficiency will also increase with a 4 blade wheel.

Does your boat have trim tabs?? If not, a relatively inexpensive set of Bennet or similar brand of dual ram tabs will help a lot too with your planing when loaded. Not to mention their benifit when the water gets snotty or the load needs to be leveled.

Just some thoughts.....

Yes on the trim tabs. Sometimes I have people with me sometimes not. With the turning I usually put the drive down when turning to prevent cupping. I didn't the first time out and it was not good so trim down on the turns.

As for the prop I guess I'll try a 23 and a 25 3 blade and see which one works better. Thanks, 88 Mach 1

Pics of my boat are in the photo area, User name 88 Mach 1

Something doesn't sound right, you have 500 HP and can only turn a 22P 4 blade to 4,200 - 4,400?

I have a hundred HP less and turn a 24 pitch 4 blade to 5,100 and a 25P to 4,900
You may have HP but what were your TQ numbers?

Apache 22
 

Don't remember, the Dyno was last December. I was turning a 3 blade 19 p at 5800 I have been told that figuring props is all trial and error so still trying.......lol

Running the 4 blade I don't have to trim down much if any in turns....and I have a raised x dimension on my boat from stock.

Waterfowl
 

I started trimming down with the 3 blade, I haven't tried the 4 blade. Kinda new to the I/O set up. Used to run an inboard.

I have also been trying a different prop. My boat came with a 23 pitch mirage 3 blade and I have just installed a 24 pitch 4 blade Bravo 1. I really really like the way my boat performs with the 4 blade prop. I, like an earlier poster, will not go back to the 3 blade. My boat is a 23 foot SeaRay with a 385 hp 454 MAG and Bravo 1 outdrive. It turns about 4700 rpm with the 4 blade prop. I have thought about dropping down to the 22 pitch Bravo One, but I'm not sure I need to . Boat is not a go-fast boat like a lot of them here, but it does run gps 63MPH with the 3 blade and 62 with the 4 blade. It feels a lot more stable with the 4 blade, even at WOT. The boat feels really loose with the 3 blade at WOT.The engine would bump the rev limiter with the 3 blade.

Hudson
 

Wanna sell your 23 p 3 blade? Let me know

88 I am running about the same. A 29' vee with a 502mag mpi and a 23 pitch 3 blade. If you are having any blow out or cavatation I would agree with waterfoul on the 4 blade vs the 3. Try a smany props as you can in the range you think you need before buying is all I can say. Oh yea carefull on the trim in those turns. To much trim while turning is not a good thing.