OK, I wanna buy a 4 blade...Need help please

[Upper Michigan Prostar190]

I have read enough good about 4 blade props being better and CNC props being so much more smooth. I want to buy a 4 blade CNC prop to use as my main prop, and use my current 3 blade as a spare. as one of you advised me a few days ago, If I am gonna sink cash into a spare, I might as well get a 4 blade CNC and use it as my main. I mean for an extra $85 or so, I can upgrade to a 4 blade cnc over a reg 3 blade and have a quicker, smoother prop. My current prop is fine, so it will make a good spare. (thanks to who suggested that!)

SO my questions are this:

WHat brand do you recommend??

OJ?
ACME?
Michigan Wheel?
any others??

I noticed that skidim doesnt have the exact 14x18 size in the 4 blades in ACME and OJ, but Overtons has Michigan wheel 4 blades in my size. Do I need the EXACT size? or will the 13.7 X 17 XMP prop that OJ makes be a safe replacement?


also, someone also said to make sure that I get a prop puller kit that will handle 4 blade props. How do I know this? and where can I get one?? any recommendations on these? I see OJ makes one with a case even.

I am really "dumb" on this prop stuff, so all help is much appreciated!!!! :D :wavey:

[rspiecha]

I was all gung ho to buy a new 4 blade prop till I contacted Eric at Johnson props. He recommended a 3 blade XMP 13x11.5 for my boat. He said the 3 blade props were out performing the 4 blades. I ordered it on the phone with him, got it the next day. Wow, what a difference it made. It did the impossible, quicker acceleration, faster top end, and smooth power.

Rob

[east tx skier]

That was my understanding, too. For direct drives, 3 blade is the way to go. I've done a write-up on CNC'd 3 blades from OJ and Acme. You should be able to find it by searching "prop test"

[wesgardner]

When I called Acme to order a prop for my boat, I told them my intent, they sold me a 3-blade which I can't be happier with...

Wes

[Upper Michigan Prostar190]

WOW, interesting...

OK, I am going to contact them to see what they recommend!!

Thanks!!! :D

:worthy:
Don

[James O'Keefe]

I switched from a 3 blade to a 4 blade a few years back on my '93 205.

The 4 blade noticably accelerates better, holds speed better, handles better, and is smoother and quieter. I think the wake is a little lower and softer, but that is too close to call. I did lose ~1-2 mph top end though.

I don't remember the pitch of the prop off the top of my head, but I'm curious why other people are getting different results... :confused:

[Upper Michigan Prostar190]

When I called Acme to order a prop for my boat, I told them my intent, they sold me a 3-blade which I can't be happier with...

Wes


DOnt look like they make a 3 blade CNC prop for my size..... :(

[stevo137]

I switched from a 3 blade to a 4 blade a few years back on my '93 205.

The 4 blade noticably accelerates better, holds speed better, handles better, and is smoother and quieter. I think the wake is a little lower and softer, but that is too close to call. I did lose ~1-2 mph top end though.

I don't remember the pitch of the prop off the top of my head, but I'm curious why other people are getting different results... :confused:
Same as James.
Ambush 4 blade 13 x 13
Very smooth and performs better than my OJ 3 blade.
Did loose a bit on the top end but worth the trade off.
I would like to try the Acme and compare next.

[tim]

I bought a 3 blade from acme at the beginning of the season and I have to say it has transformed my boat. Perfectely smooth at all speeds and quicker to accelerate - I can't really say about top speed as I've never driven my boat flat out. I would suggest that you call Bill at acme and take his advice.

[Upper Michigan Prostar190]

Looks like I cant get a 3 blade CNC prop in a 14x18 size. Its either a 4 blade CNC prop, or Just get the same thing as I have now, a standard hand finished 3 blade.

so, whats your thoughts on that....?? :confused: any more input??


BTW, thanks for your read on the prop text Doug! Very informative! :toast: That was cool of you to post that and take the effort to record all that.

:)

[Brn85ss]

Yes you can a three blade in the Acme in a 14x18.The #801 is new to their line of props.I'm getting one this fall for next year.Talk to Bill weeks at Acme he will line you up.

[sten76]

I had a 4 blade, 13x13 on my boat. It had a few dings it in and wanted a new prop. When I called ACME he told me not to go with the 4 blade, but go with a 13x12.5 3 blade, and what a difference. Holy Crap does it shoot out of the hole and holy crap is it smooth. Call up ACME and he will point you in the right direction.

[Jerseydave]

I have an OJ 14X18 Nibral prop off my 94 prostar in perfect shape.

From what I recall, the holeshot was better than the 3 blade, and it held speed better, too. Not sure if it changed the top end.
We did alot of barefooting and it definitely helped.

I'll sell it for $150 plus shipping. Let me know if you're interested.

Dave

[Upper Michigan Prostar190]

Thanks Dave :wavey: I will keep that in mind. I assume that prop you have for sale is a 4 blade then?? If I decide not to go with a new CNC prop I will consider your prop. I am just trying to decide what to do. I need to talk to ACME, Michigan Wheel, and OJ before I make my decision. I will let you know. :)

[Workin' 4 Toys]

That was my understanding, too. For direct drives, 3 blade is the way to go. I've done a write-up on CNC'd 3 blades from OJ and Acme. You should be able to find it by searching "prop test"
Then why are all late model ski/wakeboard boats factory equipped with 4 blades?

[6ballsisall]

I have an OJ Legend 4 Blade and a Acme 541 CNC 3 Blade prop. Hands down I enjoy the 3 blade more. The difference it makes to the slalom wake (I don't have one!) and the difference it makes to the table is substantial over the 4 blade. Compared to the stock 3 blade the OJ Legend is a huge improvement in accelaration. However, IMO the CNC 3 blade accelerates and holds speed just as well if not slightly better than the OJ Legend 4 Blade.

[Jerseydave]

Thanks Dave :wavey: I will keep that in mind. I assume that prop you have for sale is a 4 blade then?? If I decide not to go with a new CNC prop I will consider your prop. I am just trying to decide what to do. I need to talk to ACME, Michigan Wheel, and OJ before I make my decision. I will let you know. :)

Yes, it is a 4 blade OJ.
14X18 for a powerslot. 1 1/8" shaft size.

[Upper Michigan Prostar190]

WOW, this is confusing....

I spoke to Bill at ACME and he was very helpful and informative. He said he has a 4 blade prop that would do a good job for me. He also said he has a 3 blade CNC in the works for my application but it isnt ready yet. I dont know if I should try the 4 blade, or wait for the 3 blade.

See, top end doesnt matter to me. I dont ever go WOT. my boat goes 45 mph now at WOT, and I dont have a need to go that fast. I dont barefoot, and nobody I ski with does either. so I cant see where a loss of a few MPH on the top end would affect me at all. I would rather have it on the bottom end.

I have read that 4 blades have more bite in the turns and better hole shot. They are a bit quicker and hold speed better. The CNC are WAY smoother. So, it seems that a 4 blade CNC would be a good choice.

SO are their any disadvantages to going with a 4 blade with my boat?

I am really weighing the options on this before I buy as its a spendy thing. I am gonna drop $400 to $500 here, so I want to make the RIGHT choice.

any more ideas????? :confused:

[stevo137]

I haven't had a chance to compare the wake with my 3 blade OJ and the Ambush 4 blade which is by Michigan Wheel that you asked about. I have compared the performance and the OJ is not even close. The acceleration and smoothness is awesome with the 4 blade. It seems like when I say "hit it" I just stand up and away I go!
Why not just try the Acme 3 blade that everyone seems to rant about.
I believe that they have a satisfaction guarantee but Doug can verify this.
Here's my wake @ appr.32-34 mph. (I think that we started to turn port side a bit).
OBTW, I spent $300 range for the Ambush and thought that the Acme was in that range too.

[Upper Michigan Prostar190]

Why not just try the Acme 3 blade that everyone seems to rant about.



Because they dont have one for my application. I have a powerslot with a 14x18 prop. They dont have a prop for that yet. Bill said one is currently in the works but wont be available until next year sometime.

[stevo137]

Because they dont have one for my application. I have a powerslot with a 14x18 prop. They dont have a prop for that yet. Bill said one is currently in the works but wont be available until next year sometime.

Perhaps someone can explain why you need a 14x18 :confused:

[James O'Keefe]

More info...

My buddy and I have identical '93 205's non-powerslots. We both had 3 blade 13 x 13 OJ's. He always was a little faster out of the hole because he has never had the slight carb hesitation I do. I switched to a 4 blade 13 x 13 OJ and the tables turned, I can now out accelerate him slightly, so it definitely made a difference.

Again, I was also really impressed with how much smoother and quieter the boat was, and held speed and handled better.

I'd like to try one of the newer cnc 3 blades sometime, but don't see it in the near future... :(

[Workin' 4 Toys]

WOW, this is confusing....

I spoke to Bill at ACME and he was very helpful and informative. He said he has a 4 blade prop that would do a good job for me. He also said he has a 3 blade CNC in the works for my application but it isnt ready yet. I dont know if I should try the 4 blade, or wait for the 3 blade.

See, top end doesnt matter to me. I dont ever go WOT. my boat goes 45 mph now at WOT, and I dont have a need to go that fast. I dont barefoot, and nobody I ski with does either. so I cant see where a loss of a few MPH on the top end would affect me at all. I would rather have it on the bottom end.

I have read that 4 blades have more bite in the turns and better hole shot. They are a bit quicker and hold speed better. The CNC are WAY smoother. So, it seems that a 4 blade CNC would be a good choice.

SO are their any disadvantages to going with a 4 blade with my boat?

I am really weighing the options on this before I buy as its a spendy thing. I am gonna drop $400 to $500 here, so I want to make the RIGHT choice.

any more ideas????? :confused:

I know with my 4 blade I can pull up 3 slalom skiers, or 3 combo, or 3 wakeboarders without a problem, (I am looking for a 4th suspect to test again) and I get 46mph WOT without a pull. Out of the hole is much better than the other two 3 blade boats we go with. I am not comparing apples to apples though. The 3 blade boats I run with don't have the ponies of the 4 blade boat, although I am not the expert on if that matters or not. I also am interested in buying another prop for myself, and until I can get someone to provide me with the data that says a 3 blade would be better on my boat, I am getting another 4 blade but cnc'd. Just my 2cnts.

[Workin' 4 Toys]

Perhaps someone can explain why you need a 14x18 :confused:
I think it means he is running a 1:1.5 trans. "I think"

[Upper Michigan Prostar190]

Perhaps someone can explain why you need a 14x18 :confused:

Because I have the powerslot transmission with the
1.5:1 ratio so I have the bigger prop 14X18 , with the 1-1/8" shaft. The standard 13X13 props wont work on my boat, or so I have been told.

Besides, ACME said hey dont currently make a 3 Blade prop for my particular application, being a powerslot trans. They are still developing one.

I am just trying to decide if the 4 blade will be a "good" thing on my boat. I understand the 4 blades are for newer boats with more horspower. But ACME said that the prop he recommends will do just fine on my MC with a powerslot. he said the offer a 30 day refund if I dont like it.
So anymore input?? has anyone here ever tried a 4 blade on older MC's from the late 80's or early 90's before the Big HP boats??

[scottnintzel]

I have a new 14 x 18, L.C., OJ, 4-Blade Legend, Stainless Prop forsale if you are interested. I purchased it for my MC X-Star by mistake. The X-Star requires a 14x20. It looks really nice in the box. I will sell it for $240 plus shipping if you are interested. Scott 651-653-8194.

[AirJunky]

I am just trying to decide if the 4 blade will be a "good" thing on my boat. I understand the 4 blades are for newer boats with more horspower. But ACME said that the prop he recommends will do just fine on my MC with a powerslot. he said the offer a 30 day refund if I dont like it.
So anymore input?? has anyone here ever tried a 4 blade on older MC's from the late 80's or early 90's before the Big HP boats??
I have a 4 blade SS OJ on my '94 PS205 with the 275 horse TBI 350. I got more holeshot, a lot smoother ride, better speed control & it does about 44 mph on smooth water with just myself & 800 lbs of ballast in the boat. The boat will beat my buddies' '96 PS190 with the LT1 for a few seconds...... after about 30 mph he passes me up & walks away.

I read where you didn't think you needed a lot more holeshot. But I think holeshot is like horsepower. You don't really know you need it till you have it. Then you wonder how you ever got along without it. Also, it makes your boat work less to do the same job. I'm a 220 lb Sky Ski rider & we don't typically need a ton of horsepower to get up...... about 1/3 throttle in my case is a medium yank & I pop right up.

[Upper Michigan Prostar190]

Air Junky, your right on the horsepower thing. I understand. Yes, we can never have enough hole shot or HP. :D Good point my friend!

I am starting to lean towards the 4 blade ACME CNC prop. That sounds like a good choice. I really dont want to wait until next year for the 3 blade at this point. I havent made my final decision yet. I want to ponder it more over the weekend. Its alot of $$$ and I want to make the right choice for me. Thats lookin pretty good though....

I like the idea of the smoother ride the CNC provides.....thats what I am after mainly.
I am up in the air on the 3 or 4 blade thing though.....

I never realized there was so many things to consider.

So whats your vote of prop brand in regards to CNC props??

ACME or OJ ?? :confused:

[AirJunky]

ACME or OJ ?? :confused:
Having only used the OJ myself, and never used an Acme, I can't really answer that one. I've heard great things about the Acmes, here & in other places. The CNC prop is definitely the latest & greatest, where the 4 blade was a few years ago. I'm very confident that the guys at either company can set you up with a prop that will outperform your stock prop easily.
I have to rate that upgrade as one of the best ones I've done to my boat..... right up there with adding a tower. It'll feel like a new boat to you.

[Brn85ss]

I'm alittle confused about the# 801 not being ready.I talked to Acme via e-mail acouple weeks ago and bill said it has been ready,and even gave me the price.Did you talk to someone at Acme?Someone on the board bought one in the group buy during last winter so I know they are ready.Acme 14x18 #801 3 blade.Talk to Bill weeks.

By the way someone at Acme also told me the 3 blade was not ready until I talked to Bill and he gave me the straight scope!Good luck

[Upper Michigan Prostar190]

I'm alittle confused about the# 801 not being ready.I talked to Acme via e-mail acouple weeks ago and bill said it has been ready,and even gave me the price.Did you talk to someone at Acme?Someone on the board bought one in the group buy during last winter so I know they are ready.Acme 14x18 #801 3 blade.Talk to Bill weeks.


Bill was the fellow I spoke with. He didnt mention a #801, just that they had one in development as a 3 blade. He said it would be available next spring.

:confused:

[Brn85ss]

Maybe they have not had good feedback on the #801? I'll try and remember who bought the 801 in the group buy and see what his results were like.Sorry about the goose chase I just hate conflicting info.I would call them back if you are really serious about wanting a 3 blade.They do make it.

[Upper Michigan Prostar190]

Maybe they have not had good feedback on the #801? I'll try and remember who bought the 801 in the group buy and see what his results were like.Sorry about the goose chase I just hate conflicting info.I would call them back if you are really serious about wanting a 3 blade.They do make it.

You were correct sir!!! :) NO apology needed!!!

I just spoke with Bill again, and he said they will sell me a #801 but its technically still in the "development" stages. He said they have a few out there sold that are being tried by customers. He said he would sell me one though as they have a few in stock but just wasnt exactly sure how it would perform on my boat. He also said he would exchange it with a 4 blade if I didnt like it.

WOW, does this complicate things.....

Now what do I do? :confused: :confused:

[east tx skier]

So whats your vote of prop brand in regards to CNC props??

ACME or OJ ?? :confused:

See the prop test write-up.

[Crash]

Installed my 3 blade OJ 13x13, because my 4 blade OJ 13x13 is on its way to OJ to be mended and boy is there a difference from the two props!!

The wake was definately softer with the 3 blade and couldn't tell if top end was faster, because it was very windy. However the 4 blade has a significantly better hole shot. Its also interesting how different the water turbulance sounds...I lifted the clam shell to make sure it wasn't engine noise.

I didn't mention anything to my family I had changed props and we all noticed on our slalom starts the hole shot difference...they were complaining I wasn't throttling up enough. And I too had a slalom false start once. My wife and I also noticed it was harder to maintain the same accurate speed.

I know it's all a matter of preference and some people really like 3 blades, but once I get my 4 blade back I'd be more than happy to swap my 3 blade for someones 4 blade.

[Upper Michigan Prostar190]

I love my 4 blade ACME!!!! :headbang:

[east tx skier]

Installed my 3 blade OJ 13x13, because my 4 blade OJ 13x13 is on its way to OJ to be mended and boy is there a difference from the two props!!

The wake was definately softer with the 3 blade and couldn't tell if top end was faster, because it was very windy. However the 4 blade has a significantly better hole shot. Its also interesting how different the water turbulance sounds...I lifted the clam shell to make sure it wasn't engine noise.

I didn't mention anything to my family I had changed props and we all noticed on our slalom starts the hole shot difference...they were complaining I wasn't throttling up enough. And I too had a slalom false start once. My wife and I also noticed it was harder to maintain the same accurate speed.

I know it's all a matter of preference and some people really like 3 blades, but once I get my 4 blade back I'd be more than happy to swap my 3 blade for someones 4 blade.

From the sizes, those sound like hadn finished props. And you're right, no contest, 4 blade will pull much stronger. With CNC'd props, it's a different set of rules.

[jimjohn]

Go with the 4 blade if you weight heavy!!

[jimjohn]

Just make sure you have help selecting the right pitch

[jimjohn]

You can get a mirror prop so you reverse in the opposite direction!

[AirJunky]

You can get a mirror prop so you reverse in the opposite direction!
Reverse in the opposite direction? Isn't that forward?

[jimjohn]

I mean reverse right or left

[AirJunky]

Not possible.

[jimjohn]

Yes it is...

[Cary K.]

I can't help but feed the troll on this one. I would love to hear more about this. I've been around MC's all my life and have never heard of such, and it sure doesn't seem possible to me either.

Please elaborate !!!