four bladed prop

tjamison · Post by **tjamison** » Wed Sep 19, 2007 10:07 am

I have a 1996 28'TE. The previous owner replaced the original prop with a 4 blade prop.

Is this better for the boat? I have a Volvo Penta 7.4Gi gas engine.

Post by **gerygarcia** » Wed Sep 19, 2007 2:02 pm

I'm not an expert

I did find this website explaining advantages and disadvantages for both

http://www.powerboat-training.co.uk/art ... 0yours.htm

Here is a copy and paste from the article:

3 Blade vs. 4 Blade

The 3 blade prop has been the design of choice for performance boaters for many years. It works well, provides good acceleration and control and excellent top speed performance. In the past few years, however, the 4 blade propeller has been gaining in popularity due to it's different handling and performance characteristics.
The 4 blade configuration is popular with boaters who are looking for a great hole shot, good acceleration, and strong, predictable low to mid range handling, at a possible expense of top speed.

This group of boaters includes certain types of fishing boats, ski boats, and boats that are used in rough water conditions.

In general, when replacing a 3 blade propeller with a 4 blade propeller of the same diameter and pitch, expect a loss of 50 to 100 rpm at full throttle (with a corresponding decrease in top speed). This is due to the fact that 4 blade propeller has slightly more drag in the water.

_____

I have a 28TE with a diesel Peninsular 280 HP Turbo
3 bladed Nibral, 18 LH 17 with cup

Maybe 4 blade is better for gas engines.

Maybe he was looking for better fuel efficiency for his way of boating

Gery Garcia

Post by **Denis** » Thu Sep 20, 2007 8:33 am

TJ, did I meet you at Spicers Marina last spring? I was the Albin parked a couple of boats away from you.
If so, Im glad you found us here and how was your first summer with your new boat? Denis

jcollins · Post by **jcollins** » Thu Sep 20, 2007 3:31 pm

TJ,
Is that an I/O or Inboard?

Olympia Jim · Post by **Olympia Jim** » Sat Dec 01, 2007 12:33 pm

Hi, I'm a new member of this group and also a new Albin 27 owner who's busy learning.

I've talked to some who say the four blade prop can, in some cases, reduce vibration and quiet things down.

Does this sqare with the experience of others?

Jim

bobhhprop · Post by **bobhhprop** » Sat Dec 01, 2007 5:32 pm

Jim what year is your 27?

Albin Owners Group

Albin Owners Group

four bladed prop

four bladed prop

3 blade vs. 4 Blade

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