Quote Originally Posted by CJD View Post
Last month we dinged the factory prop...the original OJ 13X15.5. The local dealer recommended an OJ 14.25 X 14. Yesterday we finally had the full 3000# of ballast in all the sacks for the first time (2005 24SSV 325 Indmar). With the old prop this amount felt sluggish, and surfing was about 3500rpm. With the new prop the weight is no longer noticeable, and the RPM at surf speed is just 3000RPM. After we emptied the sacks I wanted to see what the top end is...just over 40mph. So, this newer model OJ is much more usable at surf weights, and only took about 5mph out of the top end.
Had time to work with this new OJ prop. This newer design 14.25/14 is superior in every way to the original. The engine never loads coming out of the hole. All the heavy stuff we do (surfing with full bags and pulling 8 on triple tubes) that used to take 3500 RPM with the engine laboring, now only takes 2800 RPM and the engine sounds free. This "feel" is verified with much better fuel economy while pulling the heavy loads.

Prop design has really improved in the last decade. Anyone surfing with old props, I highly recommend a newer generation prop for your "list"!