Will 4 blade prop help on gas consumption?

[bryce_04]

We currently have a 3 blade prop on our sport nauty and with 1200 lbs in it we burn gas like crazy. We have a 4 blade prop but still need to install it. Will it help with our gas consumption?

[MrBlean]

I put a 4 blader on my M/C 205 at start of this season and have recently started using ballast too. We both ski and board and keep detailed gas consumption logs. Can't see any difference in average consumption when not using ballast but we do use more gas when ski-ing than boarding simply because of speed differential.

I'm pretty sure if we just boarded using lots of ballast for a while the gas consumption would be noticeably higher - which is to be expected. For, if you increase the weight of your car or tow a trailer it's gas consumption rockets too. Becasue the engine revs will be the same, I don't think a 4 blade prop of identical pitch will have any significant effect. However, I will be interested to hear the experiences (rather than opinions) of others.

[PhxWatersports]

I have a Sport Nautique with a new OJ 4 blade and I haven't seen any improvements in gas consumption.
phx