ACME Prop Review (Wakeboarding)

During this season I have had the opportunity to use three different ACME props. Below I list my observations about each prop. Since I primarily wakeboard I consider hole shot more important than top speed.

Boat:
2003 210 Team

Uses:
90% wakeboarding, 6% surfing, 4% skating

Weight Setup:
Rear Tanks = 520 lbs
Center Tank = 300 lbs
2 – 250 lb Fly High Side Sacs (1 on each rear ballast tank) = 500 lbs
1 – 700 lb Big Bump in the center walkway
Total Weight w/o people: approx. 1770lbs

1. ACME 536
13.5 x 16VR4B
1.125”

RPMs = Low
Hole Shot = Fair
Top Speed = Good

This was the prop that came from the factory with my boat. Seemed like a good prop. I thought the hole shot could be a little better, as it seemed to take a long time to plane when the boat was weighted and full of people. Seemed to have an average hole shot and a decent top speed.

2. ACME 644
13.25 x 16VR4B
1.125”

RPMS = Medium
Hole Shot = Good
Top Speed = Fair

This was going to be my spare prop, until I started using it. I was pretty impressed with this prop, quite a bit better hole shot than the prop that came with my boat. RPMs were slightly higher and top end was slightly lower than with the factory prop.

3. ACME 856
13.25 x 15.50VR4B
1.125”

RPMS = High
Hole Shot = Great
Top Speed = Poor

This is the prop I am currently using. This prop has a great hole shot compared to the other two. The only drawback with this prop is that it isn’t a prop that is designed for just cruising around. The RPMs are really high with this prop and it has a low top end. I personally didn’t mind sacrificing in these two areas as I almost always have my boat weighted for boarding.

Conclusion:

The difference in these three props was night and day, most notably between the 856 and the 536 (factory prop). The difference in these props is especially evident when moving from the 856 down to the 536. The performance hit was almost painful and I quickly put the 856 back on. All three of these props worked well, and would suffice. However, after using the ACME 856, I don't see myself putting the factory prop back on anytime soon.


-Submitted by Luke

Added:  Sunday, April 11, 2004
Reviewer:  Luke
Score:
hits: 8070
Language: eng