PROPS : Acme vs OJ vs Cutter vs Michigan

I would like to know if anybody has compared any of these props and what their thoughts are ??

Acme has a better CNC milling process so they can make their props witin tigher tolerances. I have not bought one yet, im a poor college student, but it is on my list of things to buy. I think proper pitch and cup size is more important than the company. I know OJ's are easier to fix, so if you run into things often, its only $100 to get it fixed. I would go with ACME myself. Call them up for an exact application, or ask Karl on here, rider@boarditup.com , im pretty sure he sells them and will give you a great price.

Acmes are just as easy to fix. I've had mine fixed twice for around $70 each time.

You'll definitely want to go CNC.

OJ has a CNC prop now too, the XMP series.

acme seems to cater to wakeboarders more, reduced pitch "wakeboard" props.

Acme has 80% of the OEM wakeboard boat market. Master Craft still uses OJ, but most boat manufacturers have recognized the quality of Acme.

What about Cutter stainless steel props

i have the 13.5X16 4 blade acme on my 95 maristar v-drive. all i can say is awesome. i am sure xmp is very comparable. other brands are fine but when you look at the acme and xmp it really looks like you got quality. as foor performance i went from 14X18 oj 3 blade. i lost 1 mph but it feels like i gained 50hp. fuel economy has increased 30% wakeboarding. probably loose mileage top end but who drives top end. a little tip if i may. when propping always check here or try props. one local dealer told me 14 X18 4 blade should be what i should be running. tried my buddys only seen slight performance gain. drop down 2 sizes thats the answer. i would also say for v-drive i would definately run 4 blade vibration is zero.

Supra and Moombas come with CNC OJ props now. That was a wise move in my opinion. They also offer a "wakeboard" prop for heavily weighted boats.

my buddys supra is proped wrong. its a 2004 and its a dog out of the hole. i wouldnt recommend the oj to anyone.

Yeah, the 2004's did not have the CNC. They have improved greatly for 2005.

My dealer said that Cutter props are not balanced to the degree that other makes are, and they won't sell them because of all the warrantee vibration issues they've had. If you've got a good one, you're ok.

I have two OJ's and they work great. Non-CNC.

I've heard great things about the cnc props, but my '04 Supra SSV has the non-cnc stainless OJ (stock) and it does NOT suffer any issues at all coming out of the hole. I was out a few weeks ago with ballast full, and 11 people in it, and it planed out easily with no strain (standard 320 efi engine).

When it's this heavy, I just roll into the throttle quickly, take the rpm's to about 3500, and slowly back off as it approaches speed.

The issue is consistancy. Acme makes the props with such precision that swapping out props on the same boat will yield the same results every time. The hand formed props do not perform like that. Once in a while a hand formed prop will perform great out of the box. However, most will need a professional re-work to perform like an Acme. Look at the off-shore guys. They buy a stock Quicksilver prop and have it shipped to the Mercury prop labs. There they carefully mill it and balance the prop. It typically adds 3-7 mph at a cost of about $600 or so, depending upon prop. With the Acme, you get the same result for between $300-400 for most of our applications without the $600 re-work.

I have some experience with the OJ props. Not bad, but the constancy is not there, even with their CNC props. The MI Wheel props are still not competitive with the Acme. I have a good friend who runs their machines, but still sell only the Acme. If OJ or MW come out with a better prop, I'll sell it. Until then, my money and reputation is on the Acme.

Nuff said there. Or maybe, "well said"?

Good info Karl. Glad I got lucky and got a good OJ!

Its interesting what people think , thanks for the feed back.
We've found the new CNC OJ's to be absolutely identical just like the Acme (with the cnc process they cant be anything else , really). And they are a heavier prop with a rounded tip so they are not so easy to damage.

Its seems CNC is the go.

My Centurion came with an OJ prop and hit a stick and bent it pretty bad. Bought a new ACME prop and the difference was huge. It was like going from a Ford F250 to a Cadalliac(spelling).

Cutter props are junk and their customer service is even worse!!! Yes, this is from personal experience. A very bad, expensive, personal experience.

sounds like acme is winning.

Lance was your OJ a Legend or an XMP

13x12 Acme came with the boat, bought a13x13 OJ as a spare. Ended up trying out the OJ just to see, returned it and spent the extra money on another Acme.

From my understanding a 13x13 OJ is either a Legend (cast NiBrAl) or a Force 4 (stainless steel)
I'm assuming you had a Legend.
Did you cmpare the Acme to the OJ XMP which is also CNC milled.

Wakeside has worked very closely with Acme to develop an extensive buyers guide specifically for wakeboard boats with ballast systems. The OJ XMP may be CNC milled (following Acme's lead), but they have not been as committed to wakeboarding as Acme has been.

Check out the buyers guide to see all of the ballast options:

http://www.wakeside.com/page/W/CTGY/wakeboard_boat_propellers

Mike

It was a cast prop so I think it was a Legend not totally sure though.

Our old 03 x-2 and our new 04 x-star both have OJ props, The x-star is running a 13.7 by 15.5 cnc xmp and
is producing a great hole shot and creates no vibration. I have yet to experince any other brand props, but the OJ props are well worth the money.IMO