2 blade vs 3 blade propeller?

[White Bear]

I have performed a search on this subject but got no hits.
I recently bought a Cessna 177 Cardinal, it has the standard 180 hp engine but instead of the OEM 2 blade propeller it has a McCauley 3 blade propeller.
This has all been properly done, and has all the required paperwork, STC's etc.
My question is, aside from looking better and improving ground clearance, what do you feel are the advantages, if any, to having a 3 blade propeller over 2, when mounted on a 180hp engine?
I know what McCauley say, but they are after all, trying sell propellers......
Regards,
W.B.

[Tinstaafl]

Theoretically, and all other factors being equal, 3 blades should give slightly better take-off performance while two blades should give slightly better cruise.

Unfortunately, all other factors aren't equal so it comes down to flight testing the changes for a particular installation to determine if there's been a performance change

[DB6]

No hits? Try this (http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=156470) .