Got a stage 3 hdr on an 18x54 Gatortrax. Currently running a hammer that runs best buried to the cavitation plate. Has very little wear but does have wear. Can spin up to the 5000 if trimmed to half in half out but don't see any more increase In speed after 4300. Would it be better to work a bb, the hammer, or get the three blade merc. Looking for the best all around speed performance.

Hard to say....no two props are the same. Beg, borrow and steal other props as you get the chance and see how they perform on YOUR rig. Have the prop worked based on results you obtain with your rig.

Talk to laprop. He's got mine running real good with carrying a good load and keeping speed. Adjusting your gear ratio combined with prop work can get you where you want to be.

Which of the three props would be the best to work for all around performance?

I'm happy with the big blade after he worked it. I also have a 3 blade I'm about to send to him for a tweak. It runs good as is, but the big blade is much better with a load as it sits now.

That might be where I start. The hammer is good but seems to stop pulling around 4200-4300.

Decided to have the hammer worked st baggy's place. Going to talk with him tomorrow. Anyone recommend anything specific be done?

Once you pick one, trust your prop guy. If he doesn't know what to do (and baggy does, I've heard), then find a different prop guy. Tell him all about what's happening with it currently (what rpms you're running, speeds, how it responds when you punch it off idle, etc) and tell him what you want out of the work, ie holeshot, maintaining speed with a load, top speed, etc. Sometimes you have to give up something to get something else, so don't expect 40mph and getting on plane in less than a boat length. He'll get to work and give it back pretty close to what you're looking for.

Edit: reading back at your original post, pitch is likely to get you where you want to be. That hammer already has a good bit of cup, so just getting it freshened up and some pitch added should get you where you want to be. Maybe 1" to 2" should get you down around 4600-4700 with a hammer.

Thanks for the info.

Np. If you were near west monroe or shreveport, I'd meet you and let you test the props I use.

I'm running a level 3 PD and with the hammer I'm running a 14p and it's not enough. I'm about to go up to a 16p. I also just picked up a shovel prop today that I'm trying out this week. The hammer is a great prop, but it doesn't have any pitch to it. It gets on top real fast and pulls a load good. Good all around prop. I'm hoping the shovel works well on my rig.

Not an apples to apples comparison, though your effort at helping is appreciated by the op, I'm sure. He's running a stage 3, not a delta level 3, and he's on an hdr frame, not pd. Different engine builds, and different gear ratios and running characteristics.

Well, to more directly answer his question....if your stock I'd run the BB. If you're modded I'd run the Hammer. I personally would never run the merc 3 blade because despite what the GTR boys claim it isn't that good in the veggies and mud....not even close to the Hammer.

So my answer to him would be Hammer 100%

He's already settled on the hammer to get worked. Based on how the stock hammer runs for him and based on what he's looking to get out of the prop work, what are your recommendations? Which prop to use isn't in question for him anymore, and you've just confirmed what he already decided. He's asking now for opinions on what he should have done to said hammer to improve all around speed.

What's the gear ratio he's running?

1.21 to 1 38 top 46 lower

Well first off I'd wanna know exactly what he qualifies as a stage 3. Everyone calls them different stuff based on where they got it done. Some people call a level 3 a stage 3 and those would have different pitches. The hammer has a good bit of cup so most people just pitch them.

Forged rods/ pistons. Delta heads decked 0.035, big cam, roller rockers, non cdi ignition, balanced rotating assembly, marshmallow x exhaust, twin mikuni by 34 carbs

I'd take that hammer and put 16p to start. No cup.

If u got all that done ur gonna end up with probably more but that's a good start point where u shouldn't have to move too much I wouldn't think.

He's turning 5k but doesn't get any speed past 4300. Running a 16p hammer is gonna put him under 4k.

Op, don't pitch it up to 16p, please. I'm running a very similar built engine, same gear ratio, with a big blade at 11.5" with some extra cup and rake turning 4800. That hammer having more blade, and you only having a tad more compression than me, 12p or so on that hammer would be just about right.

And your speeds are similar to those of a mb or gtr turning much less pitch with similar engine speeds. The actual prop shaft speed with the different gearing makes up for having less pitch. 2 ways to skin the cat. Mb and GT use less prop and more prop rpms to get the same thrust that Pd does with more prop and less prop rpms. It's useful to say "1 inch of pitch drops engine rpms a certain amount" (roughly 180 rpms on my engine), but not useful to say "mine turns 14 inches of pitch, so you probably need to turn 16 inches since you have more compression." The gear ratio makes a difference in the equation.

Yea and we are also talking a 1.5 vs a 1.3. It ain't that damn far off. If it was a pd it'd be slinging the blades off at an 11 pitch lmao.

It doesn't seem like alot, but that's the whole point. It really is when you start talking props and engines with 50 hp at 4800 rpms and the blade surface areas these props have at the outer edges

How in the heck do you even measure a 3 blade prop. I tried to measure mine today because it's 3 years old and probably best to shit. The best I could get is 9.5 inches and that don't sound right at all

From the middle of the hub to the end of 1 blade. Multiply by 2. That's your prop diameter.

Ah makes sense. Appreciate it Russ. Mines a 2014 GTR with heads, cam and exhaust. Prop is sharp and will cut ya. I've noticed gradual top speed loss so I'm sure it needs worked or new prop. I used to run 30 all day everyday with a light load.... I'm struggling to hit 28 now. Boats an 1848 GTB. Hoyt did all my mods new from factory