Stern lift props VS Bow lift props

TheBobcat · 06-02-2008, 01:02 PM

I am looking for some first hand opinions of what props deliver better stern lift or bow lift. I am currently in the market for a stern lift type prop as I have a stern heavy boat. I know that 4 blade props generally deliver more stern lift than three blades. Other than that every manufacturer claims their props have "awesome" stern lift or bow lift so its hard without having the option to test drive different props to decipher who's telling the truth about their props. I know different props behave differently on different applications but generally speaking what are your first hand experiences with props that are the best at giving stern lift and which are best at lifting the bow?

1bayouboy · 06-02-2008, 01:36 PM

I just tested a merc Enertia after running with rev4 for a while....it's on a 24' I/O WAC weighing 6k lbs loaded....
300HP Horizon on a Bravo 1 with 1.5 ratio.
The 15 pitch Rev4 is a stern lifting prop that has great grab and gets the heavy beast on plane reasonably quick. I could just about get the WOT max and crusie economy was around 2.6mpg. The Enertia was a 16 pitch.....I did have a slightly heavier boat by a couple of people....I didn't make a WOT run due to the conditions....but the time to plane was much longer and the boat had MUCH more apparent bow lift when trying to plane. I think I could probably have hit a higher top speed with the 16p enertia, but it wouldn't be worth the loss of low end performance.

Anybody need a 16P Enertia for a good price.....It could be fantatsic on a different boat???

shep70057 · 06-02-2008, 03:58 PM

bayouboy... you could always play around with the PVS on the enertia to get you a better hole shot. Not to mention, a 3 blade propeller will almost always be faster than a 4 blade.

Reel-Deals-1st · 06-02-2008, 04:02 PM

After trying multiple props I settled on a Turbo 2+2 4B and have been VERY happy. Everything about the boat improved and I didnt lose, but about 2 mph.

1bayouboy · 06-02-2008, 04:36 PM

Thanks Shep....that is a thought.....but the bow lift really was very pronounced. I don't know if a PVS adjustment would change that.

BigShrimpin · 06-02-2008, 07:49 PM

Mirage Plus and Rev4 are the best stern lifting props.

Mr. Demeanor · 06-02-2008, 08:35 PM

Quote:

1bayouboy - 6/2/2008 1:36 PM

I just tested a merc Enertia after running with rev4 for a while....it's on a 24' I/O WAC weighing 6k lbs loaded....
300HP Horizon on a Bravo 1 with 1.5 ratio.
The 15 pitch Rev4 is a stern lifting prop that has great grab and gets the heavy beast on plane reasonably quick. I could just about get the WOT max and crusie economy was around 2.6mpg. The Enertia was a 16 pitch.....I did have a slightly heavier boat by a couple of people....I didn't make a WOT run due to the conditions....but the time to plane was much longer and the boat had MUCH more apparent bow lift when trying to plane. I think I could probably have hit a higher top speed with the 16p enertia, but it wouldn't be worth the loss of low end performance.

Anybody need a 16P Enertia for a good price.....It could be fantatsic on a different boat???

This is a perfect example why we cant make blanket statements about a particular prop without testing. I had the exact opposite result. My boat jumps out of the water much faster with an enertia then it did with the Rev4. Its faster at cruise and top end as well.

To the OP, you really need to test some props and see what works on YOUR boat. Almost all outboard powered boats are stern heavy. What your trying to accomplish (overcoming your boats natural running attitude) may not work at all. You may end up with a prop that is trying to fight with the hull. I tried that and it porpoised badly. You may be better off going with a prop that optimizes your hulls natural running tendencies. The only way to know is to test. Tiem to call Propgods or at least post this question with your boats specs at their website.

kerno · 06-02-2008, 11:16 PM

I agree, Chris. I am running a pair of Inertias on a Venture 34 - which is a stern heavy boat, but really works well with them. Talk to Ken - he'll get it right for you.

Drifter · 06-03-2008, 03:43 PM

It's possible for some props to provide both stern lift and bow lift (which happens to work quite well on my setup). Here are two examples of 4-blade wheels that provide overall lift with concentration on bow lift:

http://www.turbo-props.com/files/Turbo-Page-6.jpg

http://sites.mercurymarine.com/porta..._schema=PORTAL