Best prop

[jono10]

Hi everyone. Greetings from Victoria Australia. Hope you are all geared up for your summer this year.. Very jealous, it is bitterly cold here atm.
I would like some advice on the best propeller for my boat. I have a 1988 American Skier Advance, powered by the Indmar 5.8L ford, trans Borg Warner 1:1.
Predominately used for wakeboarding and knee boarding but have a friend that I ski with that likes his single and barefoot.
Currently running a 12.5x13 propeller, I was wondering if there would be a better suited prop for power, rpm and fuel consumption?  It can be a little sluggish off the mark when running some ballast or have a boat load of people..
Hope you all enjoy your summer

[backfoot100]

How much ballast are we talking about?

I'm not sure if you have access to Acme props there but they are probably the best most of us have found.
The 541 (13x12) is good all around prop that does well for a stock engine setup.
If you're adding a lot of ballast the 543 (13x11.5) will give a bit better holeshot and hold wakeboard speed much better. You will lose a bit of top end speed though for footing.

A decent factory alternative would be a Federal 13x12 for the wakeboarding traits that you want if that's easier to get. Most factory props were Federal 13x12 or 13x13.

[Midskier]

12.5 X 13 is not common usually it will be 13x13, 13x12 or 13x12.5

'80s '90s vintage would be a dymex, federal or michigan wheel sand cast 3 blade

current crop of props the acme cnc is tops - as already mentioned by Eddie the 541 is
class favorite until you start adding significant ballast say + 500lbs then go to the 543
543 will rev 200-300 rpm higher @ wide open throttle and typically the speed will
remain pretty close (compared to 541) maybe 1-2 mph less but will be much snapper / quicker
revving all the way up - will hold low speed with ballast much better and will hold
speed in the slalom course easier too - however 543 most likely will be a little more thirsty then
the 541 @ higher speeds but may be less thirsty or the same @ lower speeds with ballast
every prop is always a compromise but these 2 are the best of the best - both 541 and 543 are
CNC 3 blade props with as much blade surface as 4 blade sandcast prop

Dan T

[jono10]

 :)Thanks so much for your reply Gentlemen. That is some very sound advice, we do have the ACME props available here so I will endeavour to source one for our season coming(be it some way off).
As for the prop size I think I had that backwards I'm fairly certain its a 13x12.5, not sure if that changes anything.
Anyway thanks again and enjoy your Summer,
Kind regards Jono.