2005 Mercury 60 hp 4 stroke

[jagibson187]

My buddy has a Merc 60 hp 4 stroke and has 2 questions. First, what pitch prop comes on the motor from the factory, we looked at the prop on the motor and the numbers we found don't make any sense. Second, what is the biggest prop he can put on the motor. The boat it is mounted to is a Tracker PT175 v bottom.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: 2005 Mercury 60 hp 4 stroke

The motor does not come with a prop. You buy the prop that the dealer recommends for the boat, load, and engine combination. You generally make a couple of high speed wide open throttle runs, note the maximum engine rpm and speed and then increase pitch, decrease pitch or keep the prop depending on what the results of the test were. Too little pitch and engine over revs, too much pitch and the engine lugs or fails to reach its recommended wide open throttle rpm. If pitch is correct the engine will run at or near the top of the rpm band. Otherwise prop selection is just a guess.

 

[steve604stroke]

Re: 2005 Mercury 60 hp 4 stroke

I have the same boat and engine. The package came with a 10 1/4 X 14 propeller.
The boat moves along at 38 MPH but I purchased other props to get the best performance. Tested and tested......
Now I am back at the 14 pitch. It gives me the best speeds.
I guess the dealer knew what he was doing...

Steve

 

[steelespike]

Re: 2005 Mercury 60 hp 4 stroke

My buddy has a Merc 60 hp 4 stroke and has 2 questions. First, what pitch prop comes on the motor from the factory, we looked at the prop on the motor and the numbers we found don't make any sense. Second, what is the biggest prop he can put on the motor. The boat it is mounted to is a Tracker PT175 v bottom.

Why not give us the numbers we may be able to decifer them.
look on the barrel and under the prop nut.
Also get us the present max rpm and speed(gps is best)
Without this info there is no way to make an accurate selection.
"biggest prop" Prop size is only one consideration in prop selection prop design and material is also important.Picking a prop is like picking a single gear on a car to do everything.Higher pitch (larger number) is like high gear
lower pitch like lower gear.Lower number for sking and the like higher number for speed.All this should be done keeping the motor within its recommended
rpm range.Whether by prop selection or throttle control.
motor setup is important too we can dscuss that as we progress with your
problem.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: 2005 Mercury 60 hp 4 stroke

If the prop came from Mercury the numbers you are looking at are the Mercury part number. The last two numbers are usually something like -15P (meaning it is a 15 pitch prop). Part numbers are just that -- they identify a prop but you can't generally tell what it's characteristics are from that number. There is no built-in significance unless you have the manufacturers parts list. Some props are marked only with the diameter and pitch which looks like this: 12-3/4 x 15 (12-3/4 inches in diameter and 15 pitch).

 

[FishOn123]

Re: 2005 Mercury 60 hp 4 stroke

I have a 2006 Merc 60hp 4 stroke on a 16ft Lund 1660 Classic. After testing a few props I found the Mercury Aluminum 14 pitch to work the best for moderate and light loads. 36 mph GPS at 6000 rpm. For heavy loads or tubing/skiing a 13 pitch maybe better. Try a 14 pitch and record your top speed (with GPS) and RPM at WOT. With these numbers you will be able to fine tune your prop selection but from the sounds of it a 14 pitch is probably the right choice.