4 Blade 3 Blade Bravo III Props Experiences
- Thread starter BeechBoy
- Start date
toofast
Active member
Yes to BIII's are 4 x 3...
There are quite a few post that go in detail, but the main benefit from my real world experience is slower cruise speeds while in the sweet spot of your engine.
But that MIGHT VARY with make/model, etc.
I wanted to do this, because in Lake Erie, we often get very steep waves, bunched together and cruising at 34 mph just was not comfortable. Cruising at 28 MPH helps a ton. Mind you, I lost a bit of fuel economy, but the trade off was worth it.
Also, if you are under powered, this setup can get you out of the hole a bit faster.
Top speed about the same, if all done properly!
Tell us what you are trying to accomplish!
There are quite a few post that go in detail, but the main benefit from my real world experience is slower cruise speeds while in the sweet spot of your engine.
But that MIGHT VARY with make/model, etc.
I wanted to do this, because in Lake Erie, we often get very steep waves, bunched together and cruising at 34 mph just was not comfortable. Cruising at 28 MPH helps a ton. Mind you, I lost a bit of fuel economy, but the trade off was worth it.
Also, if you are under powered, this setup can get you out of the hole a bit faster.
Top speed about the same, if all done properly!
Tell us what you are trying to accomplish!
toofast
Active member
So the drives themselves are identical...and the upgrade really only has the single benefit that I shared, at least in my opinion
I got lucky, and the 4 x 3's were sold to me below costs...if I had to pay close to retail, I would NOT have done it for sure!
I.D.C.E.
Administrator
What engines? Contact Castine on here, he did a nice setup on Gadgetized (34 PC) using Bravo 3 XR 4x3 props and netted some impressive performance gains.
With all the custom work and power added to my 26PC i have tried all sorts of combos except the XRs. I currently have a Hill Marine 4x4 Bravo 3 prop setup. Trying to get it dialed in better but she comes on plane quicker than most boats so we are going to try to do more tweeking and see where we end up.
AllDodge
Well-known member
Just installed a set of 4x4 B3 props from Hill Marine and it comes out of the hole now with no issues. Best props I ever had on the boat and I've tried many over the years. All 3x3 standard props, cup, no cup, more pitch front, less rear. Hands down the Hill signature 4x4 are the best. Note Merc sells the 4x3 and the XR's all come from Merc. The 4x4 are Hill Marine manufactured only and anyone who sells them get them from Hill. Started to buy them from another prop shop on line and they quoted the same price, that's OK. The difference was if they didn't work or I wanted to try another set it would cost 20% restock. Well called Hill, same price and no restock fee, and it would only cost $30 each way to send props and on their account. Really great guys try them, you will be surprised.
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I too have Hill Marine. I went with from a factory Merc 26P 3 blade to HillMarine 22P 4x4 blades. It took me 3 tries, but I was also allowed to send them back. I have a MUCH better out of the hole, cruise went down 2mph and top end by 4mph. I also have a whimpy 260hp engine though.
N
NautiHoffs
Guest
Anyone have experience with 4 x 3 or 4 x 4 on a 37 ss (496 hos)? Curious what you landed on after testing. I'm interested myself this winter in either lab / blueprint existing 3 x 3 26p or moving to something different for better mid-range efficiency while maintaining same top end.
toofast
Active member
yeah, so I doubt switching to 4 x 4 will give you a large bang for your buck, sorry.
I would suggest taking your 3 x 3, making sure you are in the proper RPM for your WOT, and then perhaps re-pitch to 25P if needed.
AmazingGrace
Member
I know I am dredging up an old thread, but I am wondering if anyone can share their prop experience for a 31 PC. Right now I have merc 3x3 24P prop set. Just wondering if a 4x3 26P or 27P might give me better fuel economy?. I have a pair of 6.2L Mercs and the B3's are 2.2 to 1.
Thanks!
Thanks!
AllDodge
Well-known member
If your reaching the recommended WOT rpm range (4800-5200) then you have to correct prop set. Changing to a high pitch will lower the cruising rpm but causes the motor to lug and over time will damage it. The hole shot will also be reduced, and may use more fuel. Kind of like drive slow up a hill in 4th gear.
Might be able to decrease some prop slip with tuning the props. Would need some numbers to determine
AmazingGrace
Member
I will have to test it. The max I have pushed it thus far is 4200 (only because I did not push it further). Right now she gets out of the hole extremely quickly. But, she does appear to drink more than I though she would.
I was hoping to get better fuel economy from a set of props like the Hill Marine Signature Four by Four Propellers for Bravo III Bravo 3 26P.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Hill-Marine-Signature-Four-by-Four-Propellers-for-Bravo-III-Bravo-3-26P/151041717592?hash=item232ac9b558%3Ag%3AgC4AAOSwAuNW7aVd&_sacat=0&_nkw=Hill+Marine+Signature+Four+by+Four+Propellers+for+Bravo+III+Bravo+3+26P&_from=R40&rt=nc&_trksid=m570.l1313
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AllDodge
Well-known member
Go out and get some numbers for your cruise speed. Record rpm and speed using a GPS. Then plug them into the prop slip calculator
http://bblades.com/propeller-slip-calculator/
Once you know how much slip you have, you will have more info to determine if changing props may help
Hill makes some good props and I would buy direct from hill if you go this route. The reason for direct is they will exchange the props as many times as needed and all you pay is return shipping. Great folks to deal with. I bought a set of 22's and after cleaning the paint off my hull I had to go back to my 26-3 blades. Would like to try 24's my self, just not ready to drop another grand on another set.
Adding more blades is a double edge sword. You get increased lift and reduce slip, and the cost is it takes more power to turn the extra blades and lift can also cause the boat to be sensitive to porpoise. There is also the Merc XR props (4x3). If your try hill I would suggest 22's
http://bblades.com/propeller-slip-calculator/
Once you know how much slip you have, you will have more info to determine if changing props may help
Hill makes some good props and I would buy direct from hill if you go this route. The reason for direct is they will exchange the props as many times as needed and all you pay is return shipping. Great folks to deal with. I bought a set of 22's and after cleaning the paint off my hull I had to go back to my 26-3 blades. Would like to try 24's my self, just not ready to drop another grand on another set.
Adding more blades is a double edge sword. You get increased lift and reduce slip, and the cost is it takes more power to turn the extra blades and lift can also cause the boat to be sensitive to porpoise. There is also the Merc XR props (4x3). If your try hill I would suggest 22's
toofast
Active member
I have a ton of stats for my 31 what I went from 3 by 3 to 4 by 3s
However I had the 496 is so not sure it will help when I get back I'll try to dig them up and post them.
Bottom line is I actually lost a little efficiency going to four by threes but I could Cruise slower which is what I wanted in a rough Lake.
3 by 3 at optimum cruise for my 496 is is where it was at.
Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk
However I had the 496 is so not sure it will help when I get back I'll try to dig them up and post them.
Bottom line is I actually lost a little efficiency going to four by threes but I could Cruise slower which is what I wanted in a rough Lake.
3 by 3 at optimum cruise for my 496 is is where it was at.
Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk
AmazingGrace
Member
Thanks AllDodge. I will check it out and do some calculations. Wow, 22's from 24's? I guess with the 6.2L, that might make sense.
AllDodge
Well-known member
When you go 4x4 they have less slip so the rule of thumb drop to pitches from a 3x3. Was running 26-3x3 after repowering, and with them I could get to 5200. So tried 24-4x4 and that brought the rpm up, but not enough. Changed to the 22-4x4 and this was working. Still could not reach the magic 50 mph. Decided to buy a lift, strip the paint and repaint with epoxy.
After this I was now was over reving with the 22's, so went back to 26-3x3 and where I'm at now. My slip at WOT is 23.5% (5200 rpm), and cruise is around 21% (3600 rpm). Figure the 24-4x4 would get my slip to maybe 18% and if so I would reach just past the 50 mph
I have changed many props many times, have a set or 3x3's in 22, 22 cupped, 24 and 26, and the 22 in 4x4
A whole lot of coin been spent on my $20K boat over the years, but I like the boat