Do you need to upgrade a propeller after adding weight to your boat?

You've upgraded your boat's ballast, perhaps through an upgrade on top of your factory ballast system or a whole new custom ballast bag setup. Congrats on the bigger, more badass wake! But is there more? 

We hear this question from a lot of our customers: "Should I upgrade my prop for a better surf wake?" 

Many times this question comes after a customer added additional ballast to their boat and possibly a wakesurf system. They got some great initial results and know there may be an opportunity to fully maximize their boat's capacity for a bigger, better surf wake. And so, they are curious about how the propeller impacts the surf wave.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

Most V-Drive Boats come from the factory with a standard prop. If you are spending a lot of your time wakesurfing with additional ballast you will want to look into upgrading your prop.

Ballast bags add extra weight to your boat, impacting the boat's speed and handling. Think about it like this: your truck is reasonably efficient when you're driving on a flat road, no passengers, nothing in the back, not towing anything. But add your family or friends inside, throw some coolers and gear in the back, hitch up your boat and drive up to the lake - does your truck take a hit in efficiency? Surely. To compensate, your truck will switch gears to get the best performance possible. Your boat doesn't have that gear-switching option, so that's where the right propeller can make a world of a difference.

Without a properly sized propeller, your boat may struggle to reach its maximum speed and may consume far more fuel than necessary - - wasting your "fun money" on gas instead of boards. Upgrading to a propeller with a higher pitch or a larger diameter can help your boat handle the additional weight of the ballast bags and maintain its speed and efficiency.

Additionally, a propeller upgrade can improve the overall handling and maneuverability of your boat, making it easier and more enjoyable to drive your boat with full ballast and a surfer shredding the wave.

ACME and OJ make upgraded props for all of the major wakeboard boat manufacturers such as Malibu, Mastercraft, Nautique, Supra, Moomba, MB Sports, Centurion, Tigé, and more. Making the switch from an old prop to a new, upgraded prop will make a noticeable difference. A lot of our customers are shocked at the improved performance of their "old" boat once they've switched out to an upgraded prop.

Advantages of an Upgraded Prop:

• Increased Fuel Efficiency
• Helps to Maximize Engine Life
• Improves Handling
• Minimizes Speed Fluctuations and Vibrations

We've told you WHY to upgrade your prop for wakesurfing. Now we'll tell you HOW to switch to an upgraded prop.

Finding The Right Prop Upgrade For Your Boat

Try our easy-to-use Prop Finder Tool. Simply input the year, make, and model of your boat to receive three different prop options. We break down our prop recommendations for your boat into three categories:

• Recreational Riding
• Wakeboarding/Wakesurfing
• High Elevation/Heavily Weighted Boats

Having the right propeller for your specific boat and application of use (wakesurfing in this case) is important because it will help improve the performance of your boat while building a bigger, better surf wake. 

Switching Your Prop

You have found your upgraded prop using the WakeMAKERS Prop Finder Tool and it has arrived at your doorstep. Now it's time to remove your old propeller and install your new one. 

Watch the video below to learn how to easily switch out the prop on your inboard boat in less than 10 minutes.

We recommend picking up an ACME Weekend Saver Kit for your boat. This kit includes a carrying case for a spare prop and and all the hardware you need to change out a prop. Don't lose a day on the water because of a damaged propeller. Stash this kit in your boat and have a mobile repair kit ready in case anything ever happens to your prop.

Note: Keep your old prop stored in your boat. It is always nice to have a spare with you in case you ding one.