Whipper,
I must say you are real astute when it comes to prop physics.You are absolutely correct on your thinking,I just had the same conversation yesterday with a guy.Neal you are correct in what you are saying about the three vs four blade with bow attitude,but here is whats happening.The four blade is more like a paddle wheel effect trying to climb a ladder in turn lifting the stern and making the boat run flat,but clean.The three blade actually sucks the ass end of the boat towards the water,this stern down attitude raises the bow.So Whipper is correct when he says it is one or the other with stern lift.On the offshore boats we deal with all the time,someone who needs more bowlift we will tell to spin the props inward on a twin engine application.Left prop on right side,Right prop on left side,this will suck the stern down in the water and hence raise the bow.There are alot of physics that go in to boat attitude,and different blades,3,4,5,6 all do something a little different to effect how you carry the stern.Hope this makes sense guys.Later GO BUCKS!!!!!
Todd