How much is too much lead for stock prop?

[BurnMac42]

Hey guys about to pull the trigger on the lead group buy and I was wondering how much would be too much for the stock prop (ACME 537) on a 2017 R21 w/ Raptor 400?

We ride mostly at about 1,000 MSL so not too high or anything and we typically have 3-4 adults + 5-6 kiddos at a time (all kiddos under 7 so not big yet).....At first I thought I for sure wanted 500 lbs but I'm worried that will be too much for the prop and right now a new prop ain't in the budget (again, wife is allowing me extend our garage to the tune of $25k so any extra money towards the boat right now is very gracious on her part lol)

I've seen posts from guys claiming 300, 400, and 500 all make the boat shine so I'm trying to balance cost vs benefit here...

Thanks!

- Matt

[cnote]

no idea on that specific prop, we run the acme 2419 with 900# lead on top of surf xl, with raptor 400, it sings and wave is da bomb.

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[chpthril]

Honestly, with the stock ballast and TAPS-3, I think the 537 is about tapped out.

[cnote]

no idea on that specific prop, we run the acme 2419 with 900# lead on top of surf xl, with raptor 400, it sings and wave is da bomb.

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oh, and on a bigger boat (R23)

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[BurnMac42]

Honestly, with the stock ballast and TAPS-3, I think the 537 is about tapped out.

Damn, that's what I was worried about....I got to thinking about the prop right before I pulled the trigger on the lead and started to question it's ability.....Well that sucks I asked to start the lead group buy and might not end up getting any and having to order a prop instead

[BJM]

We started having cavitation issues with our 537 after 500 lbs and with larger custom sacs. We are still running listed with AVX so not much water weight on the off side but 250 lbs of lead.

Buy as much as you can now and put it in the boat. If it is too much take it out. Buy a new prop when funds allow and add the weight back!

[D&P Powell]

Honestly, with the stock ballast and TAPS-3, I think the 537 is about tapped out.

That’s a fact! We had to upgrade to the 1235 on our old Z1. Stock prop couldn’t get us up to speed with added lead.

[JohnnieMo]

Just add 500lbs more of human ballast and you'll have your answer.

The 537 won't be enough.

[freeheel4life]

BJM has the right idea. The 1235 was great on the PCM 343 and 409 and other Indmar applications but I will swear by the 2419 coupled to the Raptor, but we are up there a bit in elevation. As others have stated though, anecdotal evidence has proven that the 537 is probably a better paperweight than it is a surf boat prop(ran it on an r21 last summer and it would cavitate just pulling a 2 person tube with no ballast). 2419 is worth it. The acme 2079 is a decent performer as well and you may find one a bit cheaper used as lots of guys bought them in years past.

[BurnMac42]

What about the 1617? That's the prop wakemakers is recommending...freeheel will there be any issue running a 2419 at lower elevation?

[chpthril]

IMO, the 14" dia 1617 would be a mild upgrade to the 537. Im hesitant to say that it would be a return on the investment. I would not suggest a prop less then 14.5.

[BurnMac42]

IMO, the 14" dia 1617 would be a mild upgrade to the 537. Im hesitant to say that it would be a return on the investment. I would not suggest a prop less then 14.5.

Thanks for the input...I'll see if I can find a 1235 someone has laying around that I can get in my hands before we leave next Saturday for Dale Hollow

[jslayde1]

I'm a big fan of the 2419 as well.

[BurnMac42]

Alright guys my dealership has both the 1235 and 2419 in stock. I'm having a hard time deciding between the two. Is there a CON of going with the 2419 over the 1235? Again, boat is a 2017 R21 w/ soon to be 500 lb lead, and Raptor 400. We boat around 1,000 ft MSL or less and typically have 4-6 adults + a gaggle of young (6 and under) kiddos

If I go with a 2419 prop what am I losing (if anything) over the 1235? A lot of top end? A little? Will running the 2419 at mostly lower elevation do any harm or reduce performance in any way?

[JohnnieMo]

The only down side to the 2419 is that it will lower your top end. I don't know about you but I never go over 30MPH anyways, so it's not an issue. I would take the more aggressive prop every time.