Right now i have a 21v 2001 with a stainless 4 blade prop not sure the pitch. I am looking into maybe getting a new prop but i would like to get some feedback on what prop will perform better. I have heard that stainless steel prop is not the best b/c 2 reasons 1. it is heavy and does not seem to turn as easy and push as hard. 2. a stainless if you hit something will damage the gears faster than another prop would. Anyone have any suggestions as to which props would be better and where is a good place to order a new prop ?
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Acme props are the best.
I beleive it's called www.propellersonline.com.
I think they are cheapest at www.boarditup.com
You can call the acme people and they are very good at telling you what prop is best for your boat and application. You need a very different prop if wakeboarding with 2000 pounds of ballast vs. skiing with only one passenger.Be excellent to one another. -
The guys at ACME were very easy to talk to, I told them what make, model, year, engine and primary puropose and they gave me the model number, size and pitch info. They will sell you the prop direct but you can get it cheaper online (they told me that too!) from their distributors.
You'll also need to know if you have the syncro-tech gear reduction or not because that will change the recommended prop pitch dramatically.-TipComment
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I have a 99 2200i. Came with nibral 3 blade and I purchased a 4 blade cutter stainless after one year. Enjoyed the strong hole shot and it seemed to decrease the cavatation. I am considering yet another prop and it appears ACME is the way to go. I emailed them and immediately received this response;
I am suggesting that you purchase the Acme 515 13 LH 12 three blade nibral 1 1/8” bore .080 cup. This propeller will give you the stronger pull for wakeboarding & also give you a good solid pull for skiing. Your boat will be much smoother & quieter with the new acme propeller. The propeller sells for $369.00 We do back each propeller that we sell direct with a 30 day money back guarantee.
We grew up waterskiing however with water conditions and such we wakeboard probably 80% and waterski 20%.
Will I miss the 4 blade if I elect to go with the above recommendation of a three blade?Comment
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For what it's worth, my 22v came with the ACME 515. Last year I decided to try a four bladed ACME (can't remember the exact model number but I think it was a 13x12.5. The salesman at ACME tried to talk me into another 515 saying that the 515 would perform better, I did not believe him and ordered the 4 blade anyway. I wish I would have listened to him, he was right. I got better hole shot with the 515 than I do with 4 blade. As soon as I get my 515 repaired and balanced, I'm putting it back on.
We wakeboard 80% of the time.
Tip-TipComment
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I have the same boat as you. If you have the Syncrotech tranny, go for the ACME 537. If memory serves me correctly it is a 13.5X16 prop. Night and day difference from the 14X18 OJ that was on there. Smooth pull, holds speed, and comes out of the hole very strong. You will run a couple of hundred RPMs higher and lose a couple of MPHs top end, but no big deal.
Like talltigeguy mentioned, I got mine from propellersonline.com. Their price couldn't be beat. But that was a couple of years ago...Comment
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Thanks for the response,,not sure what trans I have. I suppose I could call the dealer or look on the trans and see what it says assuming it is identified. I provided the basic info to Acme but not the type of trans,,should I deviate from their recommendation??Comment
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Just look at your transmission. If it is painted blue, then it is the syncrotech (or gear reduction). If that is what you have, then go with the ACME 537...Comment
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I have the 537. I have had some discussions with acme and they had hoped to improve on that prop, but it didn't test out any better. I like that they are trying new things, but don't abandon the old unless they can prove benefit.
The 537 gives my 24V a great hole shot and lots of power, with very little sacrifice on the top end.Be excellent to one another.Comment
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If a 537 is ideal for a v-drive would it be the best prop for a i-drive??Seems like one prop would not be ideal for both different types of boats?Comment
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If you have/had a 13x13 prop you do not have a reduction transmision. The I-drive will not be painted blue if it is a reduction tranny.Comment
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vdrive vs direct drive prop
Teachercop,
I had a good discussion with the guys at acme about which prop to get and we considered even getting a 3 blade.
Tradtionally, 3 blade props were used for direct drives because they have excellent speed control at higher speeds (skiing). 4 blade props were for lower speed applications. The acme people tell me that now that is not necessarily true because they are now able to make a 3 blade prop that has as much surface area as a 4 blade prop.
To more directly answer your question - Direct and Vdrives could have identical props if the transmission and applications are identical. The only real question would be if the weight placement is a difference maker. Most guys with Vdrives put weight in the nose and Direct drives put it in the back, making the center of gravity closer to the same.Be excellent to one another.Comment
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prop
I thought I needed more low end in my 03,21i with 315hp. merc.Talked to acme and they said with ballast I should try acme #911[13/10.5]I got one from lee and took it for a test run.Verry impresed,it brought my boat new life,runs up to rev limiter and gave me a much better hole shot.I would recoment this prop for anyone using ballast over the stock #515[13/12].Comment
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