Wakeboarding

[Tony]

My 16' is a GREAT wakeboarding boat! Pops 'em right out of the water, holds speed well, and kicks out an awesome wake...about 2' high, good form, and SOLID. As his confidence grows my son should be gettin' some real big air!

I'm using my 14 x 21 and getting great hole shots, also. Top speed with this prop goes down to 50mph @ 5k rpm's, compared to 60 mph with my 14 x 23 aluminum. Still looking to try a Volvo Ultra, 14 x 24 LH, if anyone knows of one available.

[Emmo]

I think MadPoodle has one. Scott, do you still have that prop?

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Emmo mailto:emmette@emmette.comemmette@emmette.com</A>

[GeneS]

Tell me about the 26" ultra. I just bought a 14x24 and am still running about 5800 rpm. I would like to try the 26. How much?


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Gene Schmidt
'74 X-18 "Chi Chi"

[Craig]

Hey Tony -- I see the 5K rpm's with your 21 pitch prop @ 50 mph; how about when your going 60 with your 23 pitch prop what RPM's are you running?
Also I thought you were an old skier too. How come you just mention your boy is ridin' that wakeboard? Get on that thing. There lots of fun!!
Craig
( 38 yr. old skier / 1 yr. old wakeboarder!)

[Tony]

Going 60 mph with my 23" prop my rpm's are about 5200...too high. I'd like to hold just below 5000 if I could, that's why the 24" might be just about right.

I am an old skier...I'm 46 and have barefooted at least once per summer for the last 34 years! I've wakeboarded several times and like it, but so far trust no one to pull me with my Donzi!

Scott, can I try your 24" Ultra when Rob is done with it?

[Craig]

Tony,
Recently found an old (1987+-) Michigan Wheel prop catalog and it had a neat chart for prop sizing based on horsepower and boat length. I know there are a lot of factors, but it said for a 17' boat with 290hp (I recall you said yours is in the range of 300hp) that their recommendation was a 25" pitch (14" dia.). Might be worth also considering. According to the 200 rpm's to 1" of pitch thing you'd be around 4800 then.
I understand about the "no one else can drive the boat, so I don't get to ski as much" thing. My wife has actually gotten pretty good at driving me skiing. Just avoid busy times, narrow channels and shallow water and I don't get nervous at all!

[Tony]

Craig,

My 14 x 23 slips coming out of the hole and when cornering. Not liking that I thought I would jump in 1" increments to a 24". Especially after reading all the positive comments on the Ultra prop. If I come across a 14 x 25 I will most likely try it. I'm hoping one of these will get me in the low 60's mph and under 5 k rpm's.