Need to get Spare Prop. 3 of 4 blade is the ?

[Breck-Nautique]

Spare Prop
I have a 1995 Ski Nautique, 351 EFI Ford GT 40, 310 HP, PCM 1.23: Trans.,
The local lake I visit is at 7500 ' elevation. Some lake use at 5000' here in Colorado. And some trips to Lake Powel. Currently I have plenty of hole shot, I would like a little more top end.

When in reverse the rear of the boat moves to the left and I cannot counter steer to over come the direction, another words trying to back up to the right is impossible, (though lack of experience is part of it, but I think the prop rotation is a lot of it). If seem some posts on the back up issue, and will just have to get use to that. I have heard that 4 blade props are smoother and produce less wake, but require more horsepower to be effective. I would like to consider a 4 blade prop if it would work with my boat that would be similar to the current results I get with my existing 3 blade 14x16 x 1 R (I think it is a 1" shaft, Right rotation) prop but with just a bit more top end (a few more MPH at same recommended sustained WOT. I do not know if 3 or 4 blades would help the reverse operation.

Any insight or recommendations would be great. Thanks

[NautiqueJeff]

I'm not sure if a different prop will help with the reverse steering (I don't think so), but in general, a four-blade gives more hole shot while a three-blade provides more top-end speed.

[skinautique]

The 4 blade will not change the direction that the boat backs up. It will help you out a little bit with manuvering in tighter places. The three blade prop puts up a higher rooster tail on that boat and has more cavitation when it turns left going forward. The 4 blade will give you more holeshot like NautiqueJeff said and it will take away some of the cavitation as well as flatten out the wake better. The extra blade curls the top of the rooster tail over so it isn't as tall and it softens it a little bit. Hope this helps. I have no experience with higher elevations although I would think the computer would help to adjust to some of that???????????? Not sure though.

[Rick]

I have been boating at Lake Tahoe for years. Its at 6500 feet and at that elvation you lose 20% of your power. We usually reduce pitch by 2" to give ius the same power as at sea level. If you still have enough power and want more speed go up 2". A 4 blade is much smoother but everyone else is right a different prop wont make any difference in the steering when in reverse.

[Breck-Nautique]

Everyone thanks for the input.

Rick I know what you mean buy power reduction due to altitude. I notice a big difference going from 10,000 ft in Breckenridge to 5,200 ft in Denver with my 80, Z28 (345 HP - 350 HO).