Has anyone changed from a 3 blade aluminum prop to a 4 blade stainless prop of the same pitch? What was the change in performance? I have read that I should expect about 400rpm drop at WOT with this change which would put me out of the engine's WOT range, but I got a stellar deal on the prop and couldn't pass it up.
I've heard that to but I'm using XHS hubs so hopefully the plastic in the hub will fail before there's any damage. At least that's what its designed to do.
I did some testing and found that the rpms were the same but I lost about 1mph on top end but got on plane faster. That's a good result for me.
I have hit rocks with a stainless steel 4 blade prop, it folded over the end 1/2" of each blade .... that was all.
sent prop away foir repair & balance and it came back as good as new.
Also bent and took a chink out of skeg ... but that repaired easily.
Check if the prop you are looking at is a cupped blade or not ... if cupped it will proably not give you the loss.
I'm going to assume that the blades are cupped since what I found is that I can run to 5000rpms with both props and only lose 1mph at the top end with stainless. Getting out of the hole is slightly faster, but not significant unless pulling the tube, then it's noticeable.
Props
Linear Mode
