Prop and ski wake?

[Matt Glenn]

Do you guys Know if the prop changes the ski wake any or just the hole shot. Just wondering beacuse when I bought my boat the guys talked me in up grading my prop to a 3 blade, I could not tell you what the prop is called ( 2006 outback) I'm just wondering now if the wake could be any better with a different prop, now I look back and I those guys I bought the boat from don't even ski

[kaneboats]

I would give Eric at OJ a call and give him all your specs. He'll help you pick the right one for what you do and usually exchange it if it's not what you want. Good luck!

[maxpower220]

A 3 blade and a 4 blade can (and usually will) change your wake. Holeshot can also change. However, there are many factors to that, size, cup, and pitch of either. IMO, it is best to speak to a maker (OJ or Acme) about what will be best for your application. "Best" wake for slalom will be rider dependent, some prefer 3 blade, some 4 blade. Also remember that just because a MC boat has a "better" wake with a 4 blade, doesn't mean that your boat (or any other) will.

[jasonwm]

Although a prop swap can profoundly impact a number of performance characteristics, unfortunately wake size and/or quality will not be impacted enough to tell a difference. It's possible in a direct back-to-back comparison you could determine a difference in the wake quality between two (appropriate) props on the same boat, but outside of those strict conditions you'll never be able to tell a difference from the end of the line.

[zabooda]

Three blade has a less prop wash and higher top end speed but a worse hole shot. There are discussions in years past. I would like to go to a three blade the next time I need to replace a prop. Knock on wood as I've gone nine years without a mark on my prop.

[kaneboats]

Although a prop swap can profoundly impact a number of performance characteristics, unfortunately wake size and/or quality will not be impacted enough to tell a difference. It's possible in a direct back-to-back comparison you could determine a difference in the wake quality between two (appropriate) props on the same boat, but outside of those strict conditions you'll never be able to tell a difference from the end of the line.

You can see a big difference in your surf wake just from changing props. Not so sure about the characteristics at 80 ft and with full ballast, but at surf speed there's a noticeable difference.

[cmtaylor777]

Talking strictly surf wake......Would it be worth it to switch from a 3 blade to a 4 blade to incease wake hight or to clean up the wave?