Factory 4 blade prop vs. new Acme prop

Newbie Question....1999 Nautique closed bow with 290 hp option and factory 4 blade prop. I just bought the boat and noticed a little prop damage one 1 blade. No vibration at any rpm or speed. Quandary...should I have it repaired or should I keep it as a spare and get an Acme 4 blade? Also if buying an Acme should I go with same pitch. I was getting 45 mph at 4400 rpm according to perfect pass. Can someone give me the pros and cons on this please?

How about a photo of the damage? If it isn't causing a problem, maybe leave it be.

I think it was 02-03 when the swap happened. It is when they used the neat N machined into the face of each propeller blade.

Buy a 422 and don't put money into repairing the stock propeller. 1442 may over turn the engine a bit but may also be a good choice for a 3 blade/more hole shot on the carb HO motor.

I am new to all this so thank you all. What Benifits are a 3 blade vs a 4 blade. I am having a hard time grasping the proper application for each? I am trying to grasp all this!

Thank you!

phatsat67 wrote: Just go 422. It's a proven performer on that hull. About the best you can get outside of special needs application. Top speed won't change much but everything else will be light years ahead. Better hole shot, better mid range punch, easier speed holding, better tracking/handling, quicker stopping when you chop throttle and leave it in gear.

Interesting, the quicker stopping is not something I ever evaluated or paid attention to. Learn something new here every day!

Thanks for the advice! I was able to find a new 422 for $360.00 delivered so I went for it. I just do some skiing, tubing, and some bare footing so I think this was a good choice. You brought up some interesting points about 18 years of change in design and mfg...how different is the factory prop from the Acme? Is it lighter, different design blades...? Will it behave the same as the factory prop in reverse? What and how does cupping do to the performance of a prop? I know with aircraft 4 blades usually turn slower and have a smaller diameter....but they are not fixed pitch either!

‘01 brochure shows OJ and ‘02 brochure shows Acme, so you’re at least partially correct Brian. I bought dad a 422 in the summer of ‘01 after whacking the 4-blade OJ he had put on our ‘92... From memory, I did so based on what was available on the new boats at the time and it would have been prior to seeing the ‘02 literature that usually showed up in late Aug. So my suspicion is that CC switched mid ‘01 but I’m not sure there’s a way to prove it. Other than maybe polling original 2001 owners anyways, ha.

Otto Throttle wrote: PROBLEM: just pulled mine off and it is. OJ 13 inch Diameter by 16 pitch. The 422 is a 12.5 x 15.5. What are the options to get into a Acme wheel????

The simple answer is an Acme 422 like a few knowledgeable people with experience with the same boat have already mentioned.

It sounds like you already bought it. Don't sweat it.

The newer style CNC props and the older props can't be directly compared by looking at pitch and diameter of each due to a variety of things like surface area of the blades, rake of the blades, prop efficiency etc..

+1 on what KENO says. The propeller size numbers don't always correlate across manufacturers and propeller types. A 14X16 OJ 3-blade will NOT be the same as a 14X16 ACME 4-blade.

The ACME 422 is a good propeller for a 290HP Ski Nautique. If I lived at a lower elevation, I would run a 422. Since I'm at 4,400 feet, I run an ACME 654 (12.5X15 with .105 cup). The 422 is a 12.5X15.5 with a .105 cup. Great propellers.

JQ

I thought that most places won't work on ski props?

Otto Throttle wrote: I thought that most places won't work on ski props?

Let your fingers do the walking and give them a call.

You might be surprised

I will tell you when my check is cashed!!!! Probably Wed. I figured it was a great deal at 30% off list....By the way when I took my factory prop off it just came off nicely...no sweat🙃

Could you please elaborate???   I have been an outboard guy for 35 years😲

Otto Throttle wrote: What would be the proper installation for my new prop?

A link from the FAQ's on proper prop installation. Sorry about the pictures but it's just another thread Photobucket screwed up!!
Basically it's lapping the prop taper bore to match the shaft taper.

How long does this process take? 45 minutes?