'02 340DA 6.2LVD - Prop Change

[Tyerby]

I have a 340Da with the 6.2 Merc Vee Drive setup for power. I feel like the boat needs more prop and would like to go to a 4 blade design to help get the stern up a bit. Has anyone with this power package changed props from the standard 17X19 3 blades to something different? I can turn 5200 WOT loaded and have no trouble getting on plane. the performance of the boat just seems like it could be better at cruise.

Looking for ideas.

 

[cfgray]

I have Experiance with changes from both 3 and 4 blade props on that boat. On the 3 blades we went to the new X series prop from Michigan and had the best Results. Better top end and cruise. On the 4 blade also used X series and got better hole shot and cruise not much better top end. Both were tuned To class 1 on the Prop Scan system. Fuel burn was better with the 3 blade and about the same on the 4 blade.
CG.

 

[fwebster]

Sea Ray changed to 4 blade props right after your boat was produced. The change was made to improve low speed handling and docking.

I've run both 3 blade and 4 blade of the same model factory original boats and I doubt you are going to achieve your goal of better top end performance. What you will get is better low speed maneuverability and better time to planing speeds (hole shot) because the 4 blade props don't have as much slippage (higher efficiency) and, therefore, move more water. There just isn't going to be a lot of difference at high rpms.