Possible prop change?

[shorthairsrus]

https://nodakangler.com/forums/threads/help-propping-200-v6-merc-on-tri-toon.14402/

 

[Allen]

I can only get 5,000 rpm out of the new merc 200 on a tritoon.
Would get 5600+ out of the 225 optimax on the old lund.
Would this be prop, or is the throttle cable not maxing it out?

While it is likely your prop, one does have to wonder what kind of person would have setup the prop/engine/toon combo to only produce 5k RPM. Since the only answer to that would appear to be someone who doesn't know what the hell they are doing, I would first look at some minor maintenance things to rule them out before going prop shopping.

1. Is the prop damaged at all? Even minor blemishes can reduce its efficiency and make it harder to spin.

2. Slap on a new fuel filter. If nobody has changed the fuel filter in a fairly long time, it's possible the engine is not receiving as much as it needs. Yep, I've experienced this one myself.

3. Spark plugs. Both my Yamaha and my Mercury 4S engines lose horsepower with older plugs. I have them on an every other year schedule for spark plugs, but the Merc in particular got kind of doggy when I went into year 3 with the same plugs. I suppose I put about 50-80 hrs a year on the Merc back when that happened, but it was noticeable. I am thinking it was about 300, maybe almost 400 rpm difference. It seemed to run fine, smooth and all, but was simply lacking a little in its normal get up and go. And visual inspection of the plugs was deceiving. They looked used, obviously, but they weren't fouled or anything else that would have you wanting to replace them. Heck, I finally changed the spark plug on my weedwhacker a couple weeks ago and was downright amazed at how much more power it had...and again, the plug wasn't obviously fouled.

Come to think of it, when I first bought my Lund with the Yamaha, the first time I dunked it on the river it struggled to even get on plane. Like seriously, it was almost embarrassing at how underpowered it was. It ended up needing new spark plugs, and I remember correctly...the engine only had around 120 hours on it. Otherwise, it ran smoothly...just didn't have any power.

 

[tikkalover]

Put a smile on Mrs. JaunR's face................... GET A LONGER CABLE.

 

[johnr]

While it is likely your prop, one does have to wonder what kind of person would have setup the prop/engine/toon combo to only produce 5k RPM. Since the only answer to that would appear to be someone who doesn't know what the hell they are doing, I would first look at some minor maintenance things to rule them out before going prop shopping.

1. Is the prop damaged at all? Even minor blemishes can reduce its efficiency and make it harder to spin.

2. Slap on a new fuel filter. If nobody has changed the fuel filter in a fairly long time, it's possible the engine is not receiving as much as it needs. Yep, I've experienced this one myself.

3. Spark plugs. Both my Yamaha and my Mercury 4S engines lose horsepower with older plugs. I have them on an every other year schedule for spark plugs, but the Merc in particular got kind of doggy when I went into year 3 with the same plugs. I suppose I put about 50-80 hrs a year on the Merc back when that happened, but it was noticeable. I am thinking it was about 300, maybe almost 400 rpm difference. It seemed to run fine, smooth and all, but was simply lacking a little in its normal get up and go. And visual inspection of the plugs was deceiving. They looked used, obviously, but they weren't fouled or anything else that would have you wanting to replace them. Heck, I finally changed the spark plug on my weedwhacker a couple weeks ago and was downright amazed at how much more power it had...and again, the plug wasn't obviously fouled.

Come to think of it, when I first bought my Lund with the Yamaha, the first time I dunked it on the river it struggled to even get on plane. Like seriously, it was almost embarrassing at how underpowered it was. It ended up needing new spark plugs, and I remember correctly...the engine only had around 120 hours on it. Otherwise, it ran smoothly...just didn't have any power.

I purchased this toon with 27 hours on it, and one half season of use. I cant imagine fuel filter, or plugs, but good thing to have them check over when I send it to winterize.

 

[Auggie]

What is the current prop? I have a handful of props you can try. Some a little smaller back when I had my prior boat with a 150 opti.

 

[Allen]

I purchased this toon with 27 hours on it, and one half season of use. I cant imagine fuel filter, or plugs, but good thing to have them check over when I send it to winterize.

Yeah, hard to imagine it's a mechanical issue with the engine itself with that few of hours. I guess anything's possible, but that new of a rig one should be able to ask the previous owner if that's the kind of performance it's always had. If so, I'd be kind of pissed at whoever set it up to run that low of RPMs at WOT.

 

[johnr]

What is the current prop? I have a handful of props you can try. Some a little smaller back when I had my prior boat with a 150 opti.

I will have to look for sure, Keith and I were looking it over on Sunday, he thought it was not the original, but seems odd on a new boat with close to no hours the previous fella would've changed it.
I will look when I get home, since all the stuff is back from the lake now.

 

[Sluggo]

Many years ago I bought a boat from a dealer. They took the props off in the sale lot so they wouldn't get stolen. I talked to the previous owner and he indicated it HAD a stainless steel prop when he traded it in. They were going to give me a nice new aluminum one. I cried a little and we were taking the boat out for a test run on the river so they told me and their mechanic who was a buddy of mine to take whichever props we wanted to test and I could choose. The stainless steel one was hands down better than the aluminum. Quicker out of the hole and better top end. I was told that the aluminum one flexes.

 

[SDMF]

I can only get 5,000 rpm out of the new merc 200 on a tritoon.
Would get 5600+ out of the 225 optimax on the old lund.
Would this be prop, or is the throttle cable not maxing it out?

Move the beer cooler to the back rather than the bow....

 

[johnr]

Move the beer cooler to the back rather than the bow....

That giant Yeti sits right on the back next to the swim ladder with about 90 ice cold drinks in it at the ready, perfect for a day on the bays of Sakakawea.