My 22v winter ballast test

[4bw]

I have the same boat and just put in a similar set up. My bow rides high as well and I was planning to try more weight in the front. I do get occasional cavitation when a lot of people are in the boat but nothing that is a problem.

[duffymahoney]

Ok Duffy and everyone else. Do you guys get cavitation if your bow gets up in the air to much? I might have to find our where to get some lead bags to put in the bow and leave them there.

Nope, what prop are you running? I got cavitation with the extreme prop though.

[topaz surfer]

Im running the acme 1617 that was suggested by wakeprops. Boat does really well with it other than the cavatating when there is not enough weight in the bow and if its choppy conditions. Other than that it never does it. Has really good pulling and holding power, especially with lots of weight and 5000ft elevation and my smaller 315hp 5.7 merc.

[chpthril]

Im running the acme 1617 that was suggested by wakeprops. Boat does really well with it other than the cavatating when there is not enough weight in the bow and if its choppy conditions. Other than that it never does it. Has really good pulling and holding power, especially with lots of weight and 5000ft elevation and my smaller 315hp 5.7 merc.

What gear ratio V-drive do you have? Is the case blue or black? A lot of the boats around your year had the 1:1 gear. We have found that the ACME 3-blades work best.

[4bw]

Can you tell the gear ratio by the color? What does the blue or black mean? Mine is blue and I run the 537 vs 525 that came on the boat

[4bw]

Not trying hijack @topaz, I think we are both in a similar place with same boat and ballast and working to dial in the potential

[chpthril]

Can you tell the gear ratio by the color? What does the blue or black mean? Mine is blue and I run the 537 vs 525 that came on the boat

Its 99.99999999999999999999% accurate. The V-drive is made by Walter. The black unit had the 1:1 gear and the blue had the 1.5:1. Your blue runs the ACME 537, so that reafirms its the 1.5:1. To be 100$ sure, there will be a plate attached to the drive.

For your boat, the most popular prop upgrades are the 1235, 1273 and 1433. These are the most common, but not a given for every boat.

[topaz surfer]

What gear ratio V-drive do you have? Is the case blue or black? A lot of the boats around your year had the 1:1 gear. We have found that the ACME 3-blades work best.

I have the Walter and yes its blue and the ratio is 1.46 to 1

Not trying hijack @topaz, I think we are both in a similar place with same boat and ballast and working to dial in the potential

No worries the more input the better. I love this site as we can learn from each other. And yes my boat likes bow weight. What did you put in your boat?

[Runs26point2]

Its 99.99999999999999999999% accurate. The V-drive is made by Walter. The black unit had the 1:1 gear and the blue had the 1.5:1. Your blue runs the ACME 537, so that reafirms its the 1.5:1. To be 100$ sure, there will be a plate attached to the drive.

For your boat, the most popular prop upgrades are the 1235, 1273 and 1433. These are the most common, but not a given for every boat.

Hope you don't mind my reopening this thread; I've been thinking of upgrading my prop for next season so I started looking at old threads for ideas. I have an awesome 2005 22V, 5.7 MP EPI, presently with 537 prop. I run about 1800-2100 lbs ballast for surfing plus typically 3-5 passengers. I'm not having any significant problems with the prop, but I wanted to have a spare anyway, so thought that I would purchase something more specific to surfing.
I appreciate the ratio information, but I'm confused. Looking at my V drive, there's a black part labeled "velvet drive" with a tag showing ratio 1:1. This connects to the blue Walter drive unit. So It's black and blue with, I presume a 1:1 ratio and a 4 blade prop. I purchased the boat used in 2010; private sale, the prior owner used to work for a Tige dealer. I do not know if the present 537 4 blade was the original prop.
Am I looking at the right gear ratio? Should I be looking at 3 blade (any suggestions?) I thought I'd call acme, but want to be sure I have the right info.

[kko]

Here are a few pics

Looks good to me! I am going to have to give in to this surf stuff.To many friends in to it and my kids have been asking to do it as well.Plus I am not getting any younger. So I will be following your threads and learning all I can since we have same boat. Thanks in advance.

[chpthril]

Hope you don't mind my reopening this thread; I've been thinking of upgrading my prop for next season so I started looking at old threads for ideas. I have an awesome 2005 22V, 5.7 MP EPI, presently with 537 prop. I run about 1800-2100 lbs ballast for surfing plus typically 3-5 passengers. I'm not having any significant problems with the prop, but I wanted to have a spare anyway, so thought that I would purchase something more specific to surfing.
I appreciate the ratio information, but I'm confused. Looking at my V drive, there's a black part labeled "velvet drive" with a tag showing ratio 1:1. This connects to the blue Walter drive unit. So It's black and blue with, I presume a 1:1 ratio and a 4 blade prop. I purchased the boat used in 2010; private sale, the prior owner used to work for a Tige dealer. I do not know if the present 537 4 blade was the original prop.
Am I looking at the right gear ratio? Should I be looking at 3 blade (any suggestions?) I thought I'd call acme, but want to be sure I have the right info.

The Velvet unit the Borg-Warner transmission, and yes, it is a 1:1. The blue box in your pic it the Walter V-Drive unit and should be a 1.46:1. It also has a tag that will confirm the V-Drive ration.

[kko]

Hope you don't mind my reopening this thread; I've been thinking of upgrading my prop for next season so I started looking at old threads for ideas. I have an awesome 2005 22V, 5.7 MP EPI, presently with 537 prop. I run about 1800-2100 lbs ballast for surfing plus typically 3-5 passengers. I'm not having any significant problems with the prop, but I wanted to have a spare anyway, so thought that I would purchase something more specific to surfing.
I appreciate the ratio information, but I'm confused. Looking at my V drive, there's a black part labeled "velvet drive" with a tag showing ratio 1:1. This connects to the blue Walter drive unit. So It's black and blue with, I presume a 1:1 ratio and a 4 blade prop. I purchased the boat used in 2010; private sale, the prior owner used to work for a Tige dealer. I do not know if the present 537 4 blade was the original prop.
Am I looking at the right gear ratio? Should I be looking at 3 blade (any suggestions?) I thought I'd call acme, but want to be sure I have the right info.

Your lookng at the tag on the trans there and it is a 1:1. But your V box is blue so it should be the 1.5:1. As for the prop I am sure Chp can help you more than I. What weight and elevation you run will play a big part.

[kko]

LOL he was typing same time as me.

[Runs26point2]

Thanks for clarifying. Chp's the best. Designed and supplied my auto ballast. You do props too? Based on the various posts, I was thinking 1235 unless you have other suggestion. Vermont lake elevation pretty much sea level. Very sad to say I pulled the boat out and winterized last week. Lol, My son skied Killington in the morning and surfed the afternoon in 45 deg. Of course now that it's out, today is sunny high 60's and perfect boat day (But all I get to do is dream about the perfect prop)!

[topaz surfer]

Hope you don't mind my reopening this thread; I've been thinking of upgrading my prop for next season so I started looking at old threads for ideas. I have an awesome 2005 22V, 5.7 MP EPI, presently with 537 prop. I run about 1800-2100 lbs ballast for surfing plus typically 3-5 passengers. I'm not having any significant problems with the prop, but I wanted to have a spare anyway, so thought that I would purchase something more specific to surfing.
I appreciate the ratio information, but I'm confused. Looking at my V drive, there's a black part labeled "velvet drive" with a tag showing ratio 1:1. This connects to the blue Walter drive unit. So It's black and blue with, I presume a 1:1 ratio and a 4 blade prop. I purchased the boat used in 2010; private sale, the prior owner used to work for a Tige dealer. I do not know if the present 537 4 blade was the original prop.
Am I looking at the right gear ratio? Should I be looking at 3 blade (any suggestions?) I thought I'd call acme, but want to be sure I have the right info.

Not sure if your prop clearence is more than mine but I couldn't go any bigger than a 14" prop and have the 1617 on now.

Looks good to me! I am going to have to give in to this surf stuff.To many friends in to it and my kids have been asking to do it as well.Plus I am not getting any younger. So I will be following your threads and learning all I can since we have same boat. Thanks in advance.

Right on, I think once you start surfing you will be hooked. One of the great things about surfing is everyone in the family can do it and it is much lower impact on the body compaired to wake boarding. Feel free to ask any questions you have.