Does Prop make a big difference?

I don't mean to sound completely ignorant, but can a prop make a big differnce? Does it help the wake at all or just the hole-shot? Any recommendations for a good prop. Thanks

Jeremy,
A little more info as to what you have now (boat, prop, engine) might help the quality of responses.
Short answer...yes they can make a big difference in performance.

(Message edited by P-hat in Cincy on September 02, 2006)

The boat is a 1985 Supra SunSport Skier. I don't what the prop is, other than it is a 3 blade prop. The engine is F351.

Chances are it is a 13x13. At least thats what I have on my 1983 nautique. 13x13 isn't a bad prop to have, but a lower pitch will help if you have a lot of weight or people on board.

It can make a HUGE difference. I had a 1991 Malibu sunsetter. When loaded down with 2000 lbs it was a dog out of the hole. Called ACME, told them what I was running, they told me which prop to get. It was a 3 blade ACME. HUGE difference. Great hole shot, and lost only about 1 mph on the top end. Best upgrade I made to that boat.

Sam hit the nail on the head!

Ever drive a manual transmission?

Prop pitch is like changing gears. 5th gear (on a five speed) is where you cruise at, top speed, etc. but if you want to go up a steep hill or really accerlate to pass you drop down to 4th.

Going to a lower pitch prop is like shifting down. It will really improve your hole shot, but at the expense of your top end.

Karl Deloff suggested a three fin prop to replace the 4 that I had on the boat when I bought it. Not only did the hole shot get better but I lost very little top-end speed.

Yes, Karl set me up with my 4 blade and it performed exactly as he said it would. If I ever need another prop, I will definately get it from Karl.

I would contact ACME Marine and give them the exact specs on your boat, year, make, model, engine and what you are going to use for ballast weight. They will spec the exact prop for you.

I run a 1980 Ski Nautique with 1300# of ballast, prop is 13x11 3 blade and it hole shots like a bullet, planes within seconds. It's the only way older boats will actually perform with the extra weight. My RPM's are about 2600 at 23 MPH. I also invested in Perfect Pass for this old boat, what an amazing improvment, worth every penny, anyone can drive my boat now with a little bit of instruction, very safe for the riders.

Check out www.boarditup.com they have the best prices on props, and as mentioned above Karl is a lot of help.