New 4 blade prop

I have a 85 Nautique 2001 with a 3 blade prop. I have my boat tuned by a wonderful mechanic in Austin tx. In March I am going to upgrade to a 4 blade prop, and I am very curious what will this 4 blade prop do to my performance on the boat. Speed, hull shot, ride, etc. Will I be very impressed and glad I switched to the 4 blad prop. Please reply any suggestions would be great..

This is another one of those topics that can be debated endlessly. In the end, I recommend that you contact the tech at Delta Propeller with the specifics about your boat. He will send a recommendation back to you. They carry a variety of props.

That said, I have two ACME props for my '95 Prostar. One is a 3 blade the other a 4 blade. My boat is used only in the slalom course.

I am running the 4 blade. The difference in hole shot is negligible. I run the 4 blade because it flattens and softens the rooster tail on my boat. (22 off on an MC is harsh).

The people I ski with could not notice the difference when I changed props. Perfect Pass noticed a difference. I had to drop more than 100 rpm on each of my baseline speeds. I guess that means that compared to the 3 blade, the 4 blade turns fewer times to make the boat go the same speed. (on a very micro scale).

For my '87 Ski Nautique I bought a shiny new ACME 541 3 blade. I liked it much better than my OJ 3 blade, but actually preferred the wake table with my OJ 4 blade.

Again, I think this could be endlessly debated. I am sure there are a ton of folks who prefer the 3 blade props and can give a laundry list of reasons why. Go to the Delta Props website and submit a request. The guy will email you his response. Then you can address specific concerns about how various props will effect your boat.

Sorry for the long post. I talk too much.

I have an 87 SN 2001 with the Ford 351 and the 1:1 transmission. It should be the same boat except for the split windshield. If you search this forum or the "the2001.com" the consensus has been the same. If you are going to primarly use the boat for wakeboard get an ACME 542. This prop will give you a better low end and I heard better tracking at wakeboard speeds. If you want to do everything get an ACME 540. Both are 3 blade prop. I have the 540 is the best money I ever spent. I am still tunning the boat but my boat does 44 mph very quick. TO be honest I regret somewhat not getting the 542. Keeping 20 mph without perfect pass is busy and from what I heard a 542 will help the hole shot even though you might loose a little bit top end. I am no expert but that's the advise these guys gave me and it has been the best advise I ever got. So evaluate your primary activity and select. I haven't slalom on my boat yet but I bet the 540 will take me up to speed quick. Is like a day and night difference.

My 85 Nautique 2001 has the 351 ford as well. That three blade prop jumps pretty good, but I notice every once in a while, with 3 guys, equipment, and an ice chest full of cold ones, she can sometimes be a little not as quick out of the whole. My boat will get to 45 in a hurry, but I dont want to give away to much top speed. So you say the ACME 542 is the best. I tuned my boat three years ago, and is due next spring. I cant wait, she runs great but I want a little more quickness out of the hole.

Tim is right, go with the 540.

I always wanteds to see a comparison between the 542 and the 4 blade 208.

Anyway I have the 542 almost ready to test as soon as I finish my exhaust issue.

anthonylizardi wrote: Skicat, evaluate your choices and keep asking question.

What other questions? We know the "specs" of the boat already. If he wants a little more holeshot, go with the 540. If he wants A LOT more holeshot go with the 542. It's been layed out as good as it gets by Tim (speed freak, "guru"), skibum (slalom dude who rebuilt his whole boat), and yourself the wakeboarder. We all ^^^ post on the2001 as well so really, he's not going to get much more info on props over there, that is if the site is even back up and running. I also don't think Erik is allowing any new registrations still.

With the new CNC props, the "4 blade upgrade" argument is totally false. It all depends on what exactly you want a prop to do for you.

anthonylizardi wrote: Tim, what is the main reason you advocate for the 540?

He said he didnt want to lose any top end- which he likely will with the 542. He also didnt state that he runs a lot of ballast, which is really the only reason to get a 542, other than possibly running at altitude, in my opinion. The 540 (13x12) drops some pitch from a stock 13x13, so it will already spin more (100-200) RPM's. The difference in holeshot is pretty dramatic just going to the 540.

I dont want to lose top end.. Best prop to get a much signaficant hole shot. Boat will run 45, but I dont want a Nautique 2001 85' running 40.. And whinning when it is.. Because rpms are so high.. What you guys think?

skicat2001 wrote: I dont want to lose top end.. Best prop to get a much signaficant hole shot. Boat will run 45, but I dont want a Nautique 2001 85' running 40.. And whinning when it is.. Because rpms are so high.. What you guys think?

Lee,
You haven't mentioned the WOT RPM except for this "whining". What is the engine WOT RPM? You also haven't stated what prop you have now. Just wondering what you consider to be a high RPM.

Also, who are you asking about a cracked manifold?

adamt wrote: 8122pbrainard wrote: Also, who are you asking about a cracked manifold? Luchog wrote: Anyway I have the 542 almost ready to test as soon as I finish my exhaust issue.

I was asking that guy up in arubia, i think.. with the 80 nautique

I've had an issue with one of my exhaust manifolds leaking into cylinder 4, I found both gaskets were bad (aluminium log style manifold) I had both faces resurfaced but then found a pore in the casting, so it's on the welding shop now. Hopefully will get it back on monday.

If I cant save it, I'll order some PCM style manifolds, but since I just got the new prop, strut bearing and EI kit I didnt want to spend more at the time.

Adam,
Thanks for filling me in on Lunciano's manifold problem. I sure missed it even after re reading the thread.

Lee,
Yes, exhaust manifolds do go especially in salt or brackish water. Aluminums like Lunciano's are even worse. Aluminum just isn't as durable as cast iron. In time, the aluminum will burn through from the hot exhaust gases and any loss of cooling water in them and it's quick.

The prop size won't be in the manual but it should be stamped in the prop hub. Did someone tell you a 4 blade is going to whine? It shouldn't anymore than a 3 blade but I too would go with the 3 blade 540. Do you know your WOT RPM?

skicat2001 wrote: I think all you guys are right. But some of you are saying the 542 and the 540. So really what is going to not change my boat in anyway such as sound, ride speed.. etc. I am guessing for the best whole shoot, I need the 542 and.. I will ask my mechanic about it and see what he says.

You need to re-read the posts above. To pick up holeshot while keeping the top end as high as possible, you want the 540. The 542 will hurt your top end. I would not put much faith in the opinion of your mechanic is he is the one who suggested a 4-blade in the first place, as that is old (outdated) technology.

JoeinNY wrote: Outdated might be a bit strong, they are still going on new boats and releasing new 4 blades.

Maybe, maybe not. 10 years ago, 4-blades were all the rage and were considered a nice upgrade over a stock 3-blade. Sometimes you still see this mentality reflected by sellers ("boat features upgraded 4-blade prop!") and misinformed enthusiasts alike ("put a 4-blade on it!").

The fact of the matter is that the new CNC 3-blades outperform their 4-blade counterparts when it comes to all out performance: acceleration and top end. They also handily outperform any non-CNC 4-blade that was considered an "upgrade" just 10 years ago.

Youre right that 4-blades have their place, and they do offer certain advantages. They tend to run a *little* smoother/quieter than the 3-blades. Its also argued that they smooth the slalom wake a touch, though I personally think thats more related to the lower revs that the 4-blades tend to turn.

I should also mention that my comments were in regards to direct drives only- for whatever reason, the heavier V-drives tend to respond better to the 4-blades. As to why CC continues to offer 4-blades as original equipment on the DD's is anyones guess. Even Acme admits that the 3-blades offer better performance.