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**dogbert** · 08-02-2011, 03:20 PM

I think it's your prop. When I added ballast and a full boat of people, I had to down-pitch my prop (from a 13 to a 11.5). I also upgraded to an Acme 525, which has a much larger surface area than most 3 or 4 blade props. Works great for surfing and wakeboarding. We only occasionally ski and it's still fine for that.

**Booms** · 08-02-2011, 03:51 PM

Blutooth - Where in WI are you located?
I know of two places in North Central WI. There is a prop place in Wausau/Schofield
North American Propeller Inc
5704 US Highway 51 S
Schofield, WI 54476-1332
(715) 359-5264

I have never used them but drive by their shop every day. I also know that the Tige, Mastercraft and Malibu dealers in the northwoods all use them. The problem with NAP is a 7 day down time. They pick up on Monday and drop off the following Monday from the dealers. Not the fastest turn around.

I used another shop two years ago north of Minoqua that did a great job. He fixed the prop in three days and has many of the ACME molds (do not know if that is the right term) to reform a prop. I do not have his info at my desk but I can update you later today when I get home.

Good luck.

**Blutooth** · 08-02-2011, 04:07 PM

Thanks both for your quick responses. I am in the Milwaukee area, and I've called a few boat dealers and they all seem to have the same deal of $250 flat fee regardless of how bad the prop is. Seems a little stiff for having just one little corner bent - I bet it doesn't take more than 20 minutes to fix. No metal missing or anything.

I am getting some more specific information and am emailing ACME tonight. There is an ACME 1579 in the classifieds that might work perfect for me, I just want to check with ACME first.

Thanks again!

**dogbert** · 08-02-2011, 04:27 PM

If it's a slight bend, you may be able to straighten it up yourself. Vice grips and needle nose pliers work pretty well. Be sure to use a work glove or something else in between the prop and tools. I'm assuming it's not stainless.

**Ewok** · 08-02-2011, 04:30 PM

Has the boat been slow ever since the bent prop? It might be something else. If it's been progressively slower, then it's not the prop, what other symptoms do you
have?

**skyski_tige** · 08-02-2011, 05:13 PM

I am going to vote it could be something to do with your fuel system. I had a 1997 Tige' 2150i. I had something similar and it did not seem like it was consistant. I tried a bunch of things and ended up replacing the fuel pump and fixed the issue.

**chpthril** · 08-02-2011, 05:27 PM

I just had the timing set (the throttle position sensor failed recently), so I am confortable that is ok.

These have nothing to do with each other directly. I would make sure the timing is correct and that the procedure used to set it was correct and then make sure the TPS is adjusted correctly.

Definitely need to make sure you have the correct prop.

Have you had the boat on a scale lately? Stringers could be full of water.

**Joeprunc** · 08-02-2011, 05:28 PM

I agree with the two posts above. If you put on the 3 blade last year and didn't experience these symptoms, it probably isn't the prop.

Did you add ballast? 45 seconds to plane is retardedly slow...even with 8 people and full ballast. I sense you aren't running on all eight. Pull your spark plugs they will tell you whats going on (rich or lean). With EFI, you may also want to pull the injectors and clean them. The injectors sometimes get a glaze on them much like jets in a carb which inhibit them from doing their job other than idle.

**Blutooth** · 08-02-2011, 07:02 PM

Going through the posts here:

- I had the dealer double check the drive shaft alignment and everything was good there.

- The TPS seemed to cause the computer to screw up the timing=. The local dealer here replaced the TPS and reset the timing (I was having horrible delay upon acceleration and backfiring under load).

- This was the first time I had 8 people (no ballast) in the boat with the 3 blade, but it was my understanding the 3-blade came with the boat from the factory

- I replaced the low pressure mechanical fuel pump last year on the engine (the boat would die after running for 30 minutes). The dealer said my electrical fuel pump was still within specs but on the low end (maybe I need to replace that - I need to know that failed though first b/c $700 is a lot of money to throw at parts.

- Boat is usually out of the water on the trailer so I doubt it is waterlogged, but I will see if I can find a scale...

- The problem is too new to determine if it is getting worse, but if it does get worse I am leaning more towards the fuel pump.

- On my last tank of gas I ran Lucas injector cleaner through the engine. Is there a how-to on cleaning the injectors by hand on this site?

**Blutooth** · 08-04-2011, 01:46 PM

Did a little research on my props...

The 3 blade is a 13x15, and the 4 balde is a 13x14. I found a place to repair the 4 balde and will have it fixed on Friday. After going out last night I am thinking it is a prop issue.

Last night: WOT was 4200 RPM and 36 mph, 3 people in the boat and full gas tank (66 gallons)

**Blutooth** · 08-17-2011, 01:05 PM

Just wanted to close out this post so to speak. Found a local place that charged $130 to fix my OJ 4-blade. Repair, balance and polish.

Put it on last night and the power is back. Now my problem is over revving (5000 RPM on 2/3 throttle and 36 MPH).

Still talking with ACME to see if they have any other thoughts.

Thanks everyone for the replies! I never would have thought the prop makes such an extreme difference.

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