"Revolution 4" and "HighFive" sterndrive props

MapisM

MapisM

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\"Revolution 4\" and \"HighFive\" sterndrive props

In theory, both should improve acceleration vs. standard 3 blades props, for a given diameter/pitch.
Can anyone confirm or correct as appropriate, possibly based on experience rather than hearsay?
 
Re: \"Revolution 4\" and \"HighFive\" sterndrive props

Only have experience of one days sailing with a high five.Bloody marvelous thing.It was the 1st outing on a new boat to me with a brand new hi 5 and i was very impressed with speed and handling. Some shite had stolen it on my next trip down to the boat so i'm looking for another.
I'd get one for sure.Acceleration is great but you may not get top end speed,but close to it i think.Thats all i can tell you i'm afraid.
 
Re: \"Revolution 4\" and \"HighFive\" sterndrive props

not on sterndrives, but I have a Hi Five prop fitted to my Mercury 80hp outboard hanging off the back of an elderly Winner Cobra. It had a 17p 3 blade prop when I got it, seemed to be slower than expected getting on the plane, but the Winner Cobra is not lightweight and acceleration was not as good as expected. I took a little advice and then a bit more, then sort of made my own judgment on pitch and bought a 21p Hi-Five prop. In retrospect maybe a 19p would have been better (but the general rules of pitch and multi-blade props seems not translate as an exact science), anyhow my Winner accelerates very well, even with a 21p with four heavy adults aboard she digs in a goes, the boats 15ft and with a 2-stroke Mercury engine tops out at 40mph with full tanks and people. The 21p seems actually to suit the engine well and at maximum speed is at 5600rpm which is about right. Also seems to plane better at low speeds and great hold in rough weather.

3141_79440219107_518639107_2379703_125991_n.jpg


also take a look at:

Mercury prop site
 
Re: \"Revolution 4\" and \"HighFive\" sterndrive props

A year ago a read a comparisontest in a German magazine,
different props on the same 150HP outboard engine,
The magazine was "Boote" or "Skipper "...don't remember but
I remember one conclusion; the high five didn't make a noticable diffrence, according the tester, high five was a waste of money /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif


My actual boat was deliverd new with 4 blade props, on Volvo D3-190's on SX drives
According the factory, "after many testings, the 4 blade gave the best ballance between acceleration and top speed"
can only say that I am very satisfied with these props.
 
Re: \"Revolution 4\" and \"HighFive\" sterndrive props

They seem to work better on high H.P. boats.

Moderate H.P. seem to stuggle to achieve proclaimed advantages.

What I have seen is (4 blade) slightly better hole shot, 2 knot improvement in cruise speed, and no improvement in top end, on boats with abundant power.
 
Re: \"Revolution 4\" and \"HighFive\" sterndrive props

High Fives work very well on higher horsepower motors, for exactly the same reason they do on aircraft, there is a limit to how much horsepower you can put through a blade. Thats why a 5hp outboard has a 2 blade prop and a 1250hp Nortech motor has 6 blade props.
A 5 blade will shift more water and give better acceleration IF you have the horsepower to spin it, it also gives fantastic turning and grip.
Top speed can be down a knot or two as 5 blades create more drag then 3, so 4 blades can be a good compromise.
I used a High Five on a 28 ft cruiser for 8 yrs and several friends bought them for their boats after driving mine.
So you pays your money and takes your choice.
 
Re: \"Revolution 4\" and \"HighFive\" sterndrive props

Had a SeaRay 180 Bowrider a few years back with a 3l Merc (135hp - 45mph). That was based on 3 blade Ali prop.

As people may know, boats this size tend to 'take off' over some waves which makes the engine rev up.

Switched the prop to a 23p Hi-Five and never looked back.

Boat handled much better and didn't 'take off' any more. Also, pick up for pulling boarders was much better.

When looking to move to the Hi-Five we knew top speed would prob drop to about 40mph but in reality it didn't. 43mph still achievable!

Granted no-one is ever in that much of a hurry and also a new hi-five prop is stupidly over priced! Think it was around £500 when we got one?!


Next boat was a Searay 215EC and out of interest tried it out damn well knowing not to expect much. Boat was up and cruising at really low revs but none the less she was up!

IMO if you can get a deal on one then buy it /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
Re: \"Revolution 4\" and \"HighFive\" sterndrive props

Some interesting stuff here, many thanks everybody.
Just one question re. your specific experience: when switching from 3 blades alu to the stainless steel hi5, I guess you slightly reduced the pitch (assuming that the previous max rpm was correct), didn't you?
 
Re: \"Revolution 4\" and \"HighFive\" sterndrive props

Good point MapisM

I didn't think you were going to let us get off that easy!
As Spannerman said, you need the HP to drive these wonder props, and even if you do, Max. rpm's must still be achievable.
Your engine will be in a constant state of 'labour'.

Unfortunately most folks are not in a position to try before they buy, don't be too ambitious with pitch numbers.

Remember also for novice boaters a heavy Stainless Steel prop impact, can be devastating for the gearbox.
 
Re: \"Revolution 4\" and \"HighFive\" sterndrive props

We did yes...we spoke with Steel developments at one of the boat shows after thinking about it for well over a year! A good drunken purchase /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

I can't remember the specifics but the the mercruiser web page is a start then speak with Steel Developments who are pretty good.

I have to say though, i would probably only go up to about a 23' low sports boat with a hi-five as i think the extra weight will make the prob loose its wow factor. Anything more prob best looking four blade SS or even a 3 blade SS from the Mercury range.

All the above is just my opinion of what i've experienced first hand and i'm sure others will have different views.
 
Re: \"Revolution 4\" and \"HighFive\" sterndrive props

I think I have a bit of fetish for props, I currently have 3 and 4 blade aluminium and 3 and 5 blade stainless (Laser 2 & High 5).

While changing pitch makes a big difference, changing the number of blades on my heavy 210hp cuddy doesnt.

It doesnt stop me buying different ones, and the stainless ones look much more sexy on the slipway /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif


(P.S. If anyone knows Wifey, don't tell her I said this. I convinced her that spending £500 on a high 5 would save thousands in fuel over the year /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif)
 
Re: \"Revolution 4\" and \"HighFive\" sterndrive props

Interesting. Do those 3 and 5 blades s/s props have the same pitch?
And if yes, didn't the hi5 give you at least some holeshot improvement (when pulling out a skier with a monoski, frinstance - if you ever tried that)?
 
Re: \"Revolution 4\" and \"HighFive\" sterndrive props

I have a selection of different props. The aluminium 3 blade 21" prop gives the same performance as the 4 blade 20" pitch, the 4 blade is about 2kts slower top. So I conclude that the 4 blade is not worth it.

The high 5 (20" Pitch) did not give any noticeable difference in holeshot either.

The boat runs a 3 blade 21" as standard and the best holeshot is from an aluminium 19" pitch prop (2kts slower top end). The best improvement to holeshot was by fitting a DoelFin.

But my boat is heavy, (1600kg dry weight for a 19ft cuddy and nearly 2200kg in cruising trim) and from reading comparison sites, higher performance boats may benefit more.

Just to add the PVS system on Quicksilver products also makes a massive difference. Getting the size of vent right is a whole new can of worms. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
 
Re: \"Revolution 4\" and \"HighFive\" sterndrive props

So many different anomolies, hardly get two boating set-ups the same.

You may tow ski toys with only 2 people on board, and the next guy tows with 5 or 6 and wonders why things are a bit lazy.

As you have done, experimentation often is the only answer to get right what you do as an individual boater (besides your obvious fetish for shiny props :-).

It is nice to go shopping though! /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif
 
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