Hey James , Ive spent my entire life on erie and st. clair , although in a cougar now and did experience the exact same conditions when I run my 3 blade tempest prop . Went to a 4 blade trophy and it cured the problem . Whether it was the extra bite from the trophy or the smaller diameter that keeps the prop tips a little deeper in the water I dont know but works for me . Does give up a little top end over the tempest but usually cant use it on the big water anyway .