weighting down a Nautique 2001

I just got my '87 Nautique 2001 a couple weeks ago and was hoping I could get some advise on the best way to weight it down. How much weight, what ratios (front to rear)?

I'd say about 2000 lbs 50%front, and 50%rear would be a good starting point. Or you could do 25% front, 50% middle, 25% rear.

I run mine with 3 550's. One behind the engine cover in front of the rear seat and one on each side of the engine slid back touching the rear sack. Makes it sit down pretty evenly and throws a sweet wake.

You definitely want to change out your prop to a Acme 542 if you start loading it up. The stock prop took forever to get on plane with that much weight.

The setup in my Nauti. 2001 is pretty similar to Gordon's, except that I have 3 600's with the sacs on the side as far forward as they can go and still line up. The wake is awesome like that. I want to put some weight in the bow, but there's just no room with that stupid air intake up there. But, like Gardon said, you are gonna need a 542 for that kind of weight. I tried to put that much weight in it before I bought the 542, and it took forever for the boat to plane, and once it did the speed was jumping around sporaticly from 18-28mph. The difference that 542 makes is like night and day. Best upgrade I have ever added, by far.

That's a really good lookin' boat Gordon.

huh it looks like an outlaw boat. SICK!

Mark, w/ the 542 does it hold speed better when a rider is cutting? With your stock prop on were you getting that kind of sporatic speeds in calm water too?

(Message edited by acurtis_ttu on February 10, 2005)

I'm runing 350 lbs up front, 2 540s on the side of the Motor, and 1 600 in the back.

Thane, Ant, thanks! it's the best color combo for the 2001's in my opinion. (owenership googles fully in place)

Adam, like Mark said the 542 is the best upgrade you can perform, holds speed far better than stock even when riders are cutting hard on a 80' line.

How is your hole shot and top end without weight with the new prop? I still foot a lot and need a good hole shot and around 45mph top end.

I'm in a similar situation on my PS 190. about 1800-2000 lbs ballast. My PP has a hard time hold speed with riders cutting hard even @ 70' out. hole shot is good, but not great. What are you guys doing when you have to have your props refinshed(ie. after getting them digned nicked, ect) anything special or just taking them to a regular prop repair place?

karl sounds like you need the acme 540.
here is a review. http://www.correctcraftfan.com/articles/ACME_540_Prop.asp

542 is pretty much strictly a wakeboard prop. without weight it comes out of the hole like a race boat. i can still run 44 mph but you have to watch the tach. will easily run way over max rpm.

I'd second what 882001 says, if you have questions about your particular application contact Bill Weeks at Acme and he'll tell you the right prop to run. The phone numbers on their website.

http://www.acmemarine.com/

And Adam if you get an Acme talk to them on where to get it repaired at an authorized Acme repair shop. The CNC props are a little more tricky to repair.

(Message edited by Rake on February 10, 2005)

Adam- Yes, the 542 holds speed well even when the rider is cutting, like Gordon said. And yeah, with my old prop I was getting those sporatic speeds even calm water (with about 2000lbs worth of fat sacs). Even if you're not running that kind of weight, I would still get the 542. I just cannot over-emphasize how good the 542 is.

Thanks for all of your help and advice. I just ordered a 542 today. Hopefully I will have it by next weekend.