TM props - 2 vs. 3 blade

[burleytog]

Any reason to use a 3 blade over a 2 blade?  A 2 more weedless than a 3?

[Travlin_Man]

I have used a Kipawa Prop on my M.K. trolling motor for about 3 1/2 years. It seems to be just as weedless as the two blage prop that came with the motor. It is a 44lb. thrust 12 volt and the only power on my Gheenoe. It seems to me that I get a little more speed than I did with the stock two blade, however this is a long narrow boat and I think that the two blade "Weedless Wedge" would work better on a boat that is much heavier, bass boat wide jon boat etc.      Just a few thoughts and observations from many hours of electric boating and fishing.

[sneaker]

The 2 blade props are more effecient than the 3. They are best for generating a lot of static thrust (that is thrust when the boat is not moving) and most motors come with one as it makes their specs look better. My MK 40 with a 2 blade prop generated 38 lbs of static thrust, but the 3 blade prop gave me only 28 lbs. But because I am using a light rig (about 300 lbs loaded) the 3 blade gave better speed, more effecient operation at slow speeds and far better handling in reverse. The 2 blades hooked up faster and provided steadier speed when I turned into the wind.

So if you have a 1500 + lb bass boat, I think the 2 blade prop is the better prop for you. Both are pretty weedless.

[JShrock07]

When I bought my boat it had a 2 blade prop on the TM and I always got stcuk in the weeds. I would have to pull the TM out of the water about every 30 seconds just to clean it off. That got extremely annoying especially in tourneys when the majority of the fish were being caught in the thickest of the grass.

I went to Gander Mountain and bought me a three blade prop and I was soooo excited to get out in the middle of the grass and not get stuck. So when I finally got out there I was VERY IMPRESSED with the way the 3 blade prop performed. I never once had to pull the motor out of the water even in the thickest weeds. The only thing that I didn't like about it is that it killed my battery faster then my 2 blade prop.

Just my 2 cents,

BTW I would only get the 3 blade if you have to fish a lot of grass. Other then that I wouldn't waste the $50.00 if you don't have to.

[IneedAnewScreenName9886691]

IMO opinion the 2 blade is a good prop for more power and open water fishing (wind).  The 3 blade is supposedly quieter and a little better at combatting the weeds but reduces the overall output.  

No expert here.  Just my experiance.  The TM props are simple to change and I carry both on board.  

Happy Releasing!

[burleytog]

My old TM was 30 lb. thrust, the new one is 43.  I expected a bit more of a drain on the battery.  I went out last Thursday for about 2 hours with the three blade.  It was a bit windy.  Ended up using 35% of the battery capacity.  Went out Friday night, same setup, used 30%.

I'm going to switch to the 2 blade today and see how much I use tonight.  I don't fish any really weedy environments, so I'm not too worried about weeds.  I just want the best combination of speed (I fish mostly TM only lakes) and battery consumption.

[Glenn]

I have used both.  It really depends on whether you're talking Minn Kota or Motorguide.  The 3 blade is more weedless on a Motorguide, and the 2-bladed Weedless Wedge works great on the Minn Kota.  In fact, it's much better.  I'll never go back.