Yesterday, I was able to run a HighFive on a 175ProXS, and was amazed at the in-ability for this prop to generate thrust in reverse. Honestly, I've never really noticed a difference between 4 and 3 blade props when trying to back-away from a dock, or when you needed to get the boat out of a position in a hurry, but this HighFive really caught me off-guard. So, in a nutshell, do you guys see a difference in reverse thrust dependent on the # of blades?
Thanks, HRG

I've had 3,4 and 5 blade props on my boat, the hi 5 was by far the worst prop for reverse you actually have to give it some throttle to get the boat to move in the direction you want it to move in and even then control was not good. The 3 blade was the best for reverse, I settled on a 21 rev 4 and it works just fine in reverse without any additional throttle, pop into reverse and it goes just fine. I was pretty surprised the first time I used the hi 5 as to how bad it works going in reverse.

The High 5 is also the least efficiant prop on the market. THis should only be used in extreme no-plane situations.

Significant speed is also lost compared to a proper set-up and standard prop, nothing fancy.

Keep that in mind

Tight Lines

NPAA 165
Eric

Wallhanger,
Your experience is the same as mine.
i.e. 3 blade prop works very well forward, and all right in reverse.
4- blade works well in forward, with a super hole shot and better rough water operation. Much less effective in reverse.

5 - blade prop gives the very best hole shot - if the right pitch, and also excellent - prop holding ability in rough water and waves. However, you typically lose top ends. It takes more power to swing the 5 blades, than 3 blades, and to be able to keep the engine at its best rpm, you tpyically need to back off an inch or several inches of pitch. The lower pitch will result in lower top speed.

However, the 5 blade prop is very very very poor in reverse situations.
So - just be aware of these differences as you make your prop seclections.

Take care
REW

I switched from an aluminium 3 blade to a high 5 on a ProV 1775 with a 75hp (tiller). I ended up doing the exact opposite as everyone told me to do as I had previous exprerience with a similar boat with a 90 hp. I ended up increasing my pitch from a 17 to a 19 and increased my speed by 10-15% and changed the handling of the boat from an elephant to a butterfly. With all this being said maybe my 3 blade was way off, although the previous owner used it for 7years.


W5

WE have Hi 5 21" and a Tempest 19". They both offer about the same in performance, except the tempest is about 3 mph faster, and it has good reverse. The hi-5 reverse is horrible, but you get used to it. I actually really like the Hi-5, as it is just "smoother", you can even feel it at idle troll speed, the motor vibrates "smoother", not sure why.

But the Tempest is a great prop, and I know some have good luck with the newer 4 blade, though we haven't tested them, only the older Trophy and that was not good for us (150efi).

The Hi-5 does handle just awesome, though the Tempest is the prop we have used fopr the past 3 years. Good luck,
-Box

One good advantage to the HighFive is in a backtrolling situation when you want the slower speeds with the larger motor in big waves.

...but that's about all I've found them good at.
Doug

but I've been happy with mine. I can adjust the ride on my 1860 pretty much at will.

I had a situation arise last week when I offered to give a ride to a couple of folks from the houseboat back to the marina - but when I looked around, I had 6 passengers with me! The plate says 7 and it was a short ride, but we planed out nicely (not as fast as usual). There were 5 in the back and 2 up front but no porpoising at all and I was impressed with that load.

I don't go in reverse very often.

Just my $0.02, but as you can see by the above posts, prop characteristics vary greatly by boat/setup. If I listened to some of the advice above, I never would have found the best prop for my rig (a High Five).

For those that say that the High Fives are terrible for top end and the Tempests are best for top end: I get 61mph with a 25p High Five and I get 62mph with a 23p Tempest. Almost negligible difference in top end, and the handling is night and day (High Five is much better).

I have purchased 4 props since getting my High Five in hopes of finding one that will be better. They have all been sold because the High Five is still the best I have found for my rig (215X with a 250 ProXS). Wish I could tell 'ya different because I am always loking for something better...haven't found it.

P.S.: And you shouldn't need to increase pitch with a High Five. It is a small diameter prop. I turn a 25p High Five with no problem and I could barely turn a 21p Rev 4 the same rpms.

REW you are wrong you go up in pitch on a hi 5, the blades are short and stubby, which is why it stinks in reverse. Usually you go up 2 inches from a 3 blade. Also it is a fantastic rough water prop and many anglers use it as a second prop for big water situations. The best speed prop is rarely the best overall prop for the rig for all situation. I wouldn't say using it means you have an "improper" set up.