Prop Talk Blog

Propeller Basic Measurements

Wed, 13 Mar 2013 02:07:06 +0000

There are three primary dimensions used to describe inboard boat propellers, which can be used to derive the performance of the prop for a specific application. Those measurements are diameter, pitch and cup. These are typically listed in the following format: XX" x YY" .ZZZ XX is the total overall diameter of the prop measured in inches. This is the size of the complete circle the prop makes when rotating. YY is the pitch of the prop measured in inches. Pitch is the total theoretical distance in inches the prop would travel through the water when completing one full revolution if no slippage occurred. ZZZ is the cup of the propeller blades, measured in thousands of an inch. These three measurements do not tell everything there is to know about a propeller and how it will perform, but they do provide a baseline for comparing two or more different propellers to one another.

How To Change Your Propeller With The Acme Harmonic Puller

Mon, 10 Dec 2012 23:39:33 +0000

Check out this How To Change a prop using the Acme Harmonic Puller video. Don't let a dinged up prop ruin your time on the water or worse, the entire weekend. Learn how to change your own inboard boat's propeller quickly. If you are prepared with an extra prop and tools to get the job done your time off the water will be a great snack break. Watch and learn.

Shop Now: Acme Harmonic Prop Puller

WakeProps Black Friday Sale!

Fri, 16 Nov 2012 22:06:57 +0000

Our biggest sale of the year starts Thursday 22nd and runs through (Cyber) Monday the 26th! Be sure to sign up for our newsletter to get on the list in order to receive your coupon code so you can take advantage of the great deals! Stay tuned, we'll be sending out the coupon email Wednesday!

Propeller Pitch Explained

Fri, 02 Nov 2012 19:44:07 +0000

One of the most important propeller specs for boaters to understand is pitch. The actual pitch dimension is measured as the distance a propeller will travel in inches when one full rotation is completed. If you have a 13.5” x 17.5” 4 blade propeller it will travel 17.5” in a single rotation.

By increasing the pitch greater top speeds can be accomplished. Boaters looking for higher speeds for waterskiing, barefooting, or cruising across the lake will benefit from this performance characteristic. The down side is a loss of power at the low end. This is commonly known as hole shot which is when the transmission is engaged to initially pull a rider up behind the boat

Most wakeboarders and wakesurfers are looking for the opposite affect and choose a lower pitched prop. By lowering the pitch the amount of power that can be used instantly increases. This is beneficial as this characteristic will allow the boat to obtain a desired speed more quickly when loaded with more ballast weight or at higher elevations when HP is decreased. The downside to lower pitch is lower top end speeds that can be achieved when running at wide open throttle.

Think of pitch as the gear you want to start in when driving a car. If you have a higher pitched prop you are starting out in third. You will be able to gain more top end speed but it will take you longer to reach that point. If you choose a lower pitch it is like starting out in first gear. You will go fast very quickly but your top end speed is significantly lower.

Do I need a 4 blade propeller for wakeboarding?

Thu, 01 Nov 2012 18:26:46 +0000

A lot of boat owners have a common misconception that 4 blade propellers deliver increased performance and are more efficient than 3 blade propellers. There are quite a few older forum posts and other guides that claim 4 blade props are needed when wakeboarding behind a ski boat or older model v-drive with a 1:1 gear ratio.

This was indeed the case a few years ago but all of that changed when Acme started the implementation of precision CNC Propeller manufacturing. Thanks to Acme Propellers the 3 blade is gaining the reputation it deserves. The Acme 3 blade prop has awesome hole-shot with an unmatched top end. What is truly amazing is the smoothness throughout the rev range unlike the hand finished props of the past.

If your boat does have a gear reduction, typically 1.23:1 or 1.5:1, the transfer of the motor's power to the water will allow a 4 blade or even 5 blade propeller to obtain better performance. Reduction gears also provide the ability to run greater propeller diameters which in most cases are more efficient.

The perfect prop is determined by the specific application and a couple other variables such as elevation, speed requirements and ballast load.

Feel free to contact us by email, or give us a call at 888-543-8846 for more information.

How To: Change Your Inboard Propeller In 10 Minutes

Mon, 29 Oct 2012 21:57:57 +0000

This simple "How To change your inboard boat propeller" will save you time before you get underneath the boat. Don't let a damaged prop ruin your time on the water. Learn how to change your own wakeboard boat propeller in less than 10 minutes. Always be prepared with a backup or replacement prop and prop puller to get the job done. Don't worry about paying someone else to install your new prop upgrade. Watch and learn to do it on your own!

Shop Prop Pullers

MasterCraft ILMOR Big Block Props

Thu, 25 Oct 2012 19:00:46 +0000

Starting in 2010 MasterCraft Wakeboard Boats would be offered with the ILMOR 5.7-liter, ILMOR 6.0-liter, and ILMOR 6.2-liter motor option. By 2012 ILMOR has become the exclusive motor supplier for the company. When MasterCraft started to build the all new 2012 X-Star they knew more power would be needed and worked with ILMOR to develop a monster 7.4-liter motor. The 2013 Next Generation X-Star does not disappoint with a jaw dropping 522HP. ILMOR did not only help MasterCraft increase raw power but they have also allowed riders to add more ballast without having to worry about problems with the boat not being able to plane out.

Most MasterCraft X Series boats come from the factory equipped with the OJ 522 14.75x15.5 prop. From wakeboarding, wakesurfing, or just cruising across the lake this prop will do everything equally well. When our customers are running more than 2000 lbs. of ballast or are riding above 3000 feet in elevation we would want to consider lowering the pitch. By decreasing the pitch there will be a more efficient power transfer to the water. Recently a lot of customers have been inquiring about upgrading to an OJ 5 blade prop. We offer two options for the spline shaft on MasterCraft Boats. For X Series boats with the small block motors the OJ 5 Blade 1936-2 is the way to go. If you have a newer MasterCraft with an ILMOR big block motor the OJ 5 Blade 1936-4 is the kittens' mittens delivering unparalleled performance.

MasterCraft Propeller Guide

Check out the video below of the ILMOR factory tour with Insane Zane:

Free Shipping on All Props!

Fri, 12 Oct 2012 22:23:26 +0000

Customer service has always been our #1 priority here at WakeShops and we're always trying to think of ways to make the customer's shopping experience more enjoyable. Well FREE SHIPPING on all prop orders just seemed like a no brainer.

How many of us have been shopping online trying to find the best deal on something only to get all the way to the check out page to see the savings you spent all that time trying to find eaten up by shipping costs. Exactly, we hate it just as much as you do, which is why we've gone ahead and made the executive decision that from now on all prop orders will qualify for free shipping within the continental United States!

Gone are the days of searching high and low online for the best deal. Gone are trying to factor in shipping prices to your budget. Gone are trying to find the perfect prop at one of your local boat and propeller dealers. We've got the knowledge and the prices to get you the prop you need.

If you've ever been unhappy with your boat's performance, wait till you see what a difference a new prop can make. And with free shipping, there's never been a better time to check one out!

ACME Harmonic Puller Weekend Saver Available Now

Tue, 10 Jul 2012 06:31:21 +0000

We've carried the C-Clamp version of ACME's Weekend Saver kit for a while now, but based on feedback from our customers, we just added the Harmonic Puller version as well. At a slightly lower price, the Harmonic Puller Weekend Saver Kit offers plenty of value, especially for those customers that will only use it in an emergency and don't need to rely on the puller for regular prop swaps. Additionally, if you're running one of the new five blade props, this is the only puller that will work as there isn't enough clearance to get a C-Clamp puller behind the prop. If you have any questions, please contact us.

Buy the ACME Weekend Saver Kit w/Harmonic Prop Puller

How Not To Repair A Prop

Fri, 30 Mar 2012 19:50:46 +0000

As painful as it is to damage a prop, when it comes to the performance of your boat, it's important that the propeller be perfectly shaped and balanced. We came across this video today that is a perfect example of how not to repair your prop; when it comes to your boat's performance, some things are better left to the professionals.

Keep in mind that modern CNC propellers from both ACME Propellers and OJ Propellers are accurate to 1/1000", that's what makes them run so incredibly smooth. If you think you can anywhere close to that with a hammer, think again!

Did you know we offer prop repair? Contact us for more information, or to arrange a repair.