Prop removal questions...

Stargazer.

63 Skier wrote: I've finally got numbers on my new 1442. First, strange thing happened with the stock OJ 13x16 4 blade. Until I dinged it, I was getting 44.5 mph at 4,600 rpm. I sent it out for recondition and put it back on first. I could tell from the first minute that something was different with it, had less bite at idle in gear. Here's the numbers I got with it after recon: OJ 13x16 4 blade rpm   mph 2000 13.0 2500 22.2 3000 28.0 3500 32.3 4000 36.4 5230 44.7 WOT Crazy, huh? They must have really altered the prop when they reconditioned it. On to the 1442, here's the numbers today: Acme 1442 3 blade rpm   mph 2000 13.1 2500 22.0 3000 28.2 3500 33.3 4000 37.6 5180 45.4 WOT The prop felt great, excellent holeshot. I hope to get behind it on the ski in the next few days. At 4800 rpm the speed was 43.6 mph. Even though the numbers for the 2 props seem similar, the Acme felt much better, more responsive. All numbers were with 1/4 tank of fuel, fair amount of gear in the trunk and ski in the locker, just me in the boat, light breeze. Now if I can stay away from rocks ......

I've been meaning to post an update for a while, finally am getting to it. I'm enjoying the 422 I put on at the beginning of the season, seems like the perfect prop for this boat for my use. Here's the numbers:

Acme 422 4 blade
rpm   mph

2000 13.2
2500 24.0
3000 29.7
3500 35.1
4000 36.6
4500 42.8
4940 45.4 WOT

32 mph ski speed is at 3210 rpm

1/2 tank of fuel, light breeze, my usual ton of gear in the trunk, Flitepipe was in place, just me in the boat. Smooth as smooth can be at all speeds. I was surprised at the same WOT speed as the 1442, my first pass had 45.2 mph but 2nd time gave it a bit more room to find a top speed. All numbers off of perfect pass in rpm mode.

JoeinNY wrote: halfnelly wrote: Well, the time with the 1868 was short lived. Yesterday I hit something while backing it off the trailer and bent one of the blades. The same thing happened with the 422 I have, I must have had 3 uses out of it before I whacked something. Same lake, same ramp. I put the "old reliable" 14x16 OJ back on while I send the 422 and 1868 to Admiral C&B for repairs. Time to petition the HOA to pony up the dough to get our ramp cleaned out and dredged. Ouch, are you sure it isn't the prop guard on the trailer.. there are some out there known to be blade benders.

Nope, definitely trash on the bottom. I was well clear of the trailer both times, it was something soft like an old branch or something. Probably would have been OK if it wasn't in reverse, which tends to bend blades a lot worse.

Our neighborhood ramp is private and didn't get much use for 10+ years until we moved in, so every plant, stick, branch, rope, etc. has piled up along with 2 feet of Florida muck. I try not to run the boat much in close to shore because it clogs up the strainer with weeds and algae, but of course yesterday was the exception.

Yeah, I have one of those trailers. I finally came up with a fix (as I just can't bring myself to cutting on my trailer...) Busted up 3 props before I finally got serious (and self control - I would always do it when I was rushing). Always happens when I am at a shallow ramp and have to power to get the boat off, prop walk walks it to port side and right into the prop guard. Usually bends the tips of all 4 blades, peels them right over. Also leaves a nice patch of Nibral on the trailer - that would be your "tell"

Anyways, if that is the issue let me know and I can find a picture of my "fix"...

Steve

With the 668 (422 with more cup) 3 adults and tons of gear and my son we hit 39mph on the gps at 4200. Water was to messy for a WOT run but think with the GT-40 we should see some acceptable number once we try it

Agree that is pretty fast.
With the FAE on and 2 light pax we hit 41 mph with old prop (FAE is quiet but top end suffered with it -2mph) at about 4800 rpm.
I'm sure the extra cup in my new to me 668 will slow it down some more but will try to get a run in today and let ya'll know

OK, so I had some time today to mess around with a couple of props. All runs were done with just me in the boat, a half tank of gas, and maybe 50lbs of gear (extended pylon on the floor, anchors, etc.). I put the stock OJ Legend 14x16 3-blade back on since I had never run it with GPS before and I was curious how it topped out. After a couple of runs, the best she would do was 48.7 at 5070 RPM:



I couldn't quite get 49 out of it, tried a couple of different directions on the lake to see if the varying wind chop would help, but that's the best I got.

Next, I put the boat on the trailer and put the 1868 back on. The difference in smoothness was noticeable immediately, as were the extra 500 RPM at just about every speed. After a wicked holeshot, I managed to get 47.9MPH at 5570 RPM:



It actually flashed 48mph for a split second after I took the photo, but I was running out of lake. So I've basically added 500 RPM and only lost 0.7 MPH on the top end by going from the 14x16 OJ to the 12.5x14.25 1868. The difference in holeshot and smoothness is unbelievable between the old and new technology. Since we're mainly doing low speed activites nowadays, I'm going to keep the 1868 on it. If I ever get around to getting my 422 fixed that'll be my slalom/barefoot prop if I ever decide to get back into that.

David you must be itching to try that 422 when the ice clears. I cannot tell much difference in the pull between the 422 and 1442 on a slalom start. The 1442 may prove to be better with more load such as multiple barefoot or slalom deepwater start.

I managed to spin my 422 to 5081rpm today at WOT with some tuning of my Megasquirt ECM. This is 150rpm more than I was ever able to turn it on the Ford EEC1V ECM. Stargazer had 43.2 mph with 4 people and 75% fuel.

December special, you're not imagining things.

I just priced a new 422 at Delta. With the CCF discount, $362 including free shipping. Seems very reasonable, isn't that lower than they were in the past or am I mis-remembering?

Steve looking forward to see your results. See if you can also get a picture of the boat from a distance of it running at WOT. I must remember to get one of mine next season to check where the water breaks on hull in smooth water conditions. I ended up putting the repaired 422 back on just to check if the repair was good. They polished all the machine marks off the prop .

The 422 is still on the boat now as it once again reduced our rpms at social slalom speeds by around 100-200rpm.

I have always run the 422, so I will be trying the 1442. With the crew I am going with tonight, its all barefooting, so anxious to see what we get on the top end and changes to the roost & wake. Always like the 422, just looking for a little more top end.

Swapping out the 422 for the 1442 to try tonight. Man the 1442 sure looks like it is a lot bigger then 3/4" diameter that it says it is, thats only 3/8" on a blade, but wow it looks HUGE!

David looks like they have changed your OJ somewhat maybe a touch less pitch. The OJ Legend is a decent prop just the ACME CNC's are that much better.

Did you notice the harmonic noise when slowing down?

You are still seeing better speed than my 98. I must have a slow hull with a bit more hook.

I have yet to test my repaired 422 against the 1442 back to back. Should be able to do that shortly as spring is almost here.

I need to get GPS and RPM data for the 654 on our Sport. I think WOT is close to 5k, not sure on speed. I am very happy with it though.