96' Ski Nautique Prop Suggestions

Hey fellas,

Its Mark, I asked the question earlier this month on rpm adjustment for my 96 ski nautique(42mph @4200) After figuring out what all my specs were, it was suggested to maybe check into a new cnc prop, since the original is still on it. My boat has the LH 351 with 1:1.23 tranny, and found I have an OJ Legend 14x16. On the side of the prop after "legend" were the numbers 9   95. I dont know if that is relevant. After looking at ACME web site, it looks pretty confusing to choose the right one.   I will try to contact them for assistance, but would appreciate suggestions from everyone on this. Thanks

Mark - For your boat I would recommend either the Acme 1442 if you mainly slalom, or the 470 if you like to wakeboard with heavy ballast.

If you call Delta prop, they will give you honest advice, worth much more than mine!

levinmark wrote: thanks for the advice, i mainly slalom, and barefoot for the fun of it. What kind of performance difference of the 1442 could i expect compared to the 14x16 I have? Only reason i was looking for a little more top end was for footing. I definitely dont want to give up the holeshot and the consistency of the pull when slaloming. I also heard/read that upgrading to a cnc prop will cut back on vibration and may cause a better ride? Thanks again for the help.

Any of the CNC props made for the direct drive 1.23 boats (422, 470, 1442, 428, etc) should improve just about every single aspect of the boats performance over the stock cast Federal- holeshot, speed holding, midrange power, smoothness and top end. The one that will see the least benefit is the top end, but Ive yet to see a properly matched CNC prop slow a boat down.

42mph @4200rpm is a pretty slow hull, but not radically so. Some No Wake Zone (1990-1996) Ski Nautiques just bury the nose, so Im guessing you have one of these. Of course, if you havent tuned the boat up (cap/rotor/plugs/wires/timing/alignment/etc) then I would do that first. If you still only pull 4200 RPM then you'll want a prop that gets you into the 4400-4600 RPM range at WOT. If you have no intentions of ever adding power, then Id say the 470 would probably be your best choice, followed closely by the 1442 based on how you use the boat. I would expect a marginal increase in top end (43ish).If you wakeboarded, then the 1458 would probably be one to consider- that would give you a bit more RPM at all speeds but would most likely slow the boat down on top.

Chris, Delta is a great place to get a prop- good prices, customer service, repair, etc. I have seen some iffy prop recommendations come from them though- I would stick with the advice shared on these forums instead. Call Acme directly if you want- they are another good source of info. Of course, most of it comes from their customer trials and testing... which often leads right back to these forums. I have no idea where Delta gets the data to base their recommendations.

levinmark wrote: This maybe a dumb question, what does wot stand for?

Wide Open Throttle

what did you decide? Acme 1442 or 470? I am facing the same issue, like more top speed for footin 42-43 which prop is best?

jjurewicz wrote: Another silly Q for 1996 PCM (FORD Winsor) engine I would need a RH prop correct? )

John,
Both the Acme 1442 and 470 props are RH.

Is the 442 short for Acme 1442?

the prop is a 422

I was wondering which engine you had. My 95 GT 40 Efi engine will hit 5,200 RPM with a 224 Acme, very similar to the 422 Acme. Two weeks ago it hit 47 on gps reading.

No, you have it backwards.