Prop and drive shaft question....... 92 Nautique Excel

[RodHess]

I'm looking to replace my 3 blade with a 4 blade prop. I have a 1992 Nautique Excel with a 351. The existing prop is 14X18 RH. I'm having a hard time figuring the shaft size. I can't tell if it is a 1" or 1 1/8" shaft. Any info. on a 4 blade prop and/or the shaft size would be appreciated.

[nms1991]

Rodhess the size of the shaft is 1-1/8". I would recommend calling acme prop and asking them what prop to use like a team edition prop for a super air for wake boarding and being loaded down with alot of weight. I dont have the number with me right now but you may be able to find it on this website or someone else might have it for you.

[RodHess]

Thanx nms,
Now that I know the shaft size, I can narrow it down which prop to get.....

[Air206]

Thanx nms,
Now that I know the shaft size, I can narrow it down which prop to get.....

RodHess:
We put a 4 blade on our 92 Excel. The re-proping was not helpful. We put an OJ on it...... Clearance was an issue when on the shaft.... It was too close to the rudder - handled very poorly with no difference in hotshot and very noticeable reverse slip (had to really rev the engine to get her to move rearward). It also caused a noticeable turbulence in the wake - we hydrofoil.
Bottomline - we took it off (OJ took it back - YEAH!!) The guys at White Lake Marine gave us some pitch ideas (after the fact) from some boats of that hull style.... may want to check with them, first.

Get a good return policy too - FWIW.......

[ag4ever]

the size for the team is a 13.5X16 I thiink. The regular versions use a 13.5X18. I am thinking of getting a spare 13.5X18 just to see if it will hurt hole shot that much.

I might get my dealer to loans me a few to test them.

[92Excel]

I have a 92 Excel also with the original 3-blade prop. Let me know if you get something that works well.

[RodHess]

Thanks for the input guys.

Air206, My rep. thats helping me size for the new prop actually wants me to measure from the rudder to the prop. He stated that he has been in contact with his source and the Nautique Excel is very difficult to fit. He needs to know if my V-drive is 1:1.5 or 1:1.46. So, if any one knows this info. , that would help.

92Excel, I will definately post with the results of whatever prop I get.

[Air206]

Glad he is helping you on that - It is an issue. I was hoping for a great update and you would have thought I pulled off 3 spark plug wires and kinked the steering cable after the swap..... It was really bad. (Mid Atlantic and SECC said not to do it - "legal departments" I think).

You won't find that in the manual - you need to measure the distances on your boat. You have ratios listed - ratios of what measurements?? Shouldn't it be a distance measurement?? End of shaft to rudder leading edge?..... that was a critical spacing for us.

[RodHess]

Air206, He actually wanted two items from me. First, the distance from the existing prop to the rudder. This is around 1 1/8" which he said is plenty of room. Second, he wants the V-Drive ratio, which he says is written on the V-Drive. After I get him that, he will let me know which prop and I'll give it a shot. I'll let you know how it works out.

[RodHess]

92 Excel,
Update: I put on an ACME #328 (13x15.5) and it made a huge difference! Much better hole shot and alot smoother. I'll fill you in on the particulars if you're interested.......... Let me know.

[92Excel]

RodHess, yeah, I'm interested. I assume you started with the original 3-blade prop, right? Has it affected top speed? Love to hear the particulars. . .thx

[RodHess]

92 Excel,
OK, my rep. 1st sent me a different ACME that didn't have enough clearance from the rudder. I think it was a 13.5x16. When I let him know about the rudder clearance (1/8") he advised me to go with the ACME 328. He warned me that it may activate the rev limiter at top speed. That isn't a concern to me because I don't push my boat faster then 35MPH anyway. At 35 MPH it is much smoother then the original 3 blade.
Now for the good stuff. When I first accelerated with the new prop I was amazed at how much smoother it pulled. I didn't realize the vibration I was getting with the 3 blade until I could compare it to the 4. Also, when my wife pulled me on the wakeboard the 1st time with the 4 blade, I let go of the rope. She accelerated just like she had been but the prop difference made the boat pull me that much harder. In a nutshell, the ACME 328 was well worth the $349 I paid for it. (shipped to the door) Hope that helps.....

[mike-d]

excell v-drives

I would highly recommend putting another skeg on your boat, it will make a world of difference when wakeboarding and you have an aggressive rider. My 93 would be pulled all over the place when a aggressive rider would cut, etc. I had the 2000 fct on my boat also, which had a higher tow point than most towers for the boat, so it really got rocked. It was a good beginer boat, but loaded down with weight and riders, it couldnt plane very well, took forever to do so, but mine only had the 280 hp carb version, I hear the 454 motor was the way to go on these boats. Call up Ron Scarpa ski school for more info on these boats, set ups etc. he used them exclusively until he switched over to Malibu's. Swore they were the best barefooting boat made.!

[92Excel]

Thanks for the info. I'll probably get a new prop before too long. I do like to speed around though over 35 MPH when the water is sweet. How do you put another skeg on? I have noticed that the SAN's have 3 and my 92 only has 1.

[SLMskier]

Does anybody know if a 14x15 prop work on this as well? I may pick up an used one at a reasonable price.