2014 MasterCraft prop and speed questions

[Phil]

I hope some one can give some guidance here on the new Mastercraft, one of our local promo guys would like to bring his 2014 boat to our first R&L event in April, normally we run only Nautigues but as this Mastercraft will be the boat that will be pulling the Senior Worlds I thought it is a good opportunity to ski on them for one round. After talking with some one with a wealth of knowledge about boats, he advises me that the 2014 Mastercraft is very slow out of the hole and with the current approved 4 blade propeller will not get up to speed in time on this lake, we have approx. 550 feet to the gates, so the boat would have to be at set speed 182 feet approx. before that so that it is still not gaining at the pregates , I'm told that maybe a 3 blade OJ may get it there? but I do not want to take any chances with a boat that may or may not be on speed at the pregates When I spoke with the promo guy about this he told me his boat came with the wrong prop? so is there a problem? a new boat being delivered with the wrong prop? I do not want, or need any issues in the tournament because the boat is not up to speed, or any potential records being denied because the boat is not using the approved prop.

[MattP]

@Phil‌ I changed the title of your thread to draw more attention to it from those who will be able to answer your questions.

[Phil]

Thanks Matt.

[Phil]

OB I agree with you and we have used all the boats here up to this point without any issues in the past, have you tested the 2014 Mastercraft? and if so did it work at your site? the person that told me this has, and I have the greatest respect for his knowledge and insight in this sport so when he talks, I listen

[Phil]

That will be great, and check out which prop is on the boat

[aussiemc]

Apparently there was a few 2014 Prostar's that left the factory with the wrong props, Brooks Wilson may chime in and explain. We had one here in Australia that couldn't get to 58km/h. The boat we had here for the Australian Open had the 6.2ltr engine, with a 3 Blade prop (jump prop so I'm told) and it felt slow when you skied behind it, but was not slow by any means.

[oldjeep]

Silly question, but I was under the impression that all MasterCrafts got a test thrash on the lake before they were shipped. (Malibu says that they do) Do they use a shop prop and then put a new one on before shipping? Seems like a wrong prop would get noticed during the water check out.

[aussiemc]

I've asked exactly the same question. The answer I got was, it starts, speeds up, handles, doesn't leak, doesn't rattle and turns off. It's not a AWSA boat test, so the wrong prop probably would not be noticed by a non tournament driver.

[Razorskier1]

My boat will be here Friday but unusable because well, it's icy here. Anyway, I was planning on fitting it with the same 3 blade Acme I was using on my 2005 197. My dealer said that he was told it would be appropriate on this boat as well. In my 2005 the difference between the 3 blade Acme and the 4 blade OJ the boat came with was dramatic in terms of acceleration, top end, and smoothness. There is a thread on here somewhere where I noted what the new 3 blade was. I don't have the box in front of me so I can't tell you right now.

[skierjp]

Why would you put a prop on that's not AWSA approved. If you don't ski tournaments I guess it doesn't matter.

[skierjp]

Approved props are

4 blade / OJ 710 ---13.25 x 14,5

3 blade / OJ 768 ---14 x 13

[Razorskier1]

"Approved" props are all OJ because of the MC relationship. My Acme is 13x15.5 with 0.105 cup, according to the box.

[Razorskier1]

@OB. Only if I can work out a remote office for the next 45 days!

[6balls]

I'm thinking @shaneh had posted about the Prostar being VERY strong out of the hole and acceleration...I know s'one did I'm thinking it was @shaneh

[Chuck_Dickey]

@Phil

 

An R&L tournament requires the AWSA approved prop.

 

Factory prop is 13.25 x14.5 4 blade OJ and this 5.7L has plenty of power. This is a pic of my 2014 ProStar going down the assembly line.

 

MC does test every boat they make. MC has a slalom course on the lake to check Zero off as well as run it through its paces using the customers prop.

 

They sometimes remove the customers prop for transport so it doesn't get bent or stolen. The dealers then put it back on. There is a chance the dealer received several different boats on their shipment from MC and somehow mixed them up. If the boat was used at a Boat Show, often all the running gear is removed so the boats can be lower while on display, a mix up on the prop could result.

 

I can tell you from first hand experience, the MC factory workers take tremendous pride in their work and the boat is Q.C.'d at every assembly station before it is released to move down the line.

 

[markchilcutt]

@Chuck_Dickey do you know what the high altitude prop option is? This is an option listed when ordering the new prostar?

Thanks, MC

[skierjp]

Actually all AWSA tournaments require the approved props, not just R and L.

[Chuck_Dickey]

@markchilcutt‌

 

That is really depending on your altitude and how short your course setup is. MC can best guide your selection. If the necessary selection is outside what MC has AWSA approval on, an exception can be requested from your local Chief Judge. I know the 6.2L motor is recommended at high (5,000' ?) altitude and for WR Jumpers like Freddie K. Not really sure if a different prop is approved just for altitude.

[skierjp]

Usually at high altitudes the larger engine is suggested instead of a prop change.

[h2oski]

Anyone have experience using a 5.7 at 4500 ft? The 6.2 is a pricey option. We can use a 5.7 CP and TXI but not 200.

[RichardDoane]

I noticed this afternoon that the ZO screen on the new MC has a "settings" tab for finding previous times, adjusting the wait timer, buzzer volume, and prop selection which you can toggle between 3 and 4 blade

[markchilcutt]

Wow @richarddoane that is very interesting! I wonder what changes with the boat switching from 3 to 4 blade on the controller? Wonder if it programs a different RPM Ramp up or if it is more of a controlling issue while at speed in the course to help give a better pull?

Has anyone ever seen this option on any other boats besides the new PS? Very interesting

[lottawatta]

I am pretty sure prop selection was a ZeroOff revision R change. I know I have seen it on my 2013 Mastercraft.

[markchilcutt]

So i understand the 6.2 liter is prefered for high altitude.

Can anyone tell me which prop they think will be the best pull in the course at high altitude running the 5.7 motor?

Right now the 5.7 boat in Utah has the 4 blade 13.25X14.50 on it.

@Chuck_Dickey or anyone else with time around the new PS any thoughts?

Thanks, MC

[Chuck_Dickey]

@markchilcutt‌

Suggest you call Aarne Clow at MasterCraft for the best insight on this. Maybe Marcus Brown can post something?

 

Our lake is only at 1850 feet elevation and my new ProStar is a 5.7L. I pulled a couple short line 36'ers this weekend and had no issues. Both skiers had great things to say about this boat!

[markchilcutt]

@Chuck_Dickey that is great news and thanks for the advice. I will reach out to Aarne.

[ForrestGump]

@lottawatta‌ Prop selection has been around for Mastercraft and Malibu on zero off since revision P, I believe. Nautique was the only one who didn't want you to be able to change that.

[markchilcutt]

The dealer just informed me that the 3 blade 14X13 is the high altitude prop.

[Razorskier1]

Just talked with Acme. They think the prop I had for my 2005 will be too big for the 2014. Will stick with the 4-blade the boat came with unless I don't like it.