Lowe FS175 Merc 115 Prop & Height Questions

[duncc]

Hello...I have read many threads regarding this issue but just wanted some clarification.

I have a 2006 Lowe FS175 with 2006 Merc 115 Four stroke and I am not at all satisfied with the holeshot. I bought the boat based on being told that it will pull up a skier no problem yet it is unable to get me out of the water. (190 lb skier.) So my plan is to start raising the motor in the transom and then consider another prop as advised many times in this forum.

However....Lowe says don't raise it and two separate dealers say don't raise it. What is the deal???? The one dealer has the same boat with the 115 optimax and he says it pulls him up no problem. How can the two stroke of same HP be that much stronger??

Currently have 13.25 X 17 Black Max....achieving 41 mph @ WOT @ 5500 rpm with 4 ppl in boat. Motor in lowest position on transom.

All your advice is greatly appreciated...thank you.

 

[steelespike]

Re: Lowe FS175 Merc 115 Prop & Height Questions

Yes a 2 stroke generally has a better hole shot than the same hp 4 stroke.
Generally they prop a 4 stroke at the top of its rpm range.I'm guessing yours is higher than 5,500.Your speed with 4 aboard seems good.
I say go ahead and raise it a hole at a time.The worst that will happen is you put it back down.It will help top speed and may marginally help hole shot.Just be sure it pumps water.Are you trimming in for hole shot?
A 15 inch pitch will put you at about 5,900 and improve hole shot.
If 5,900 is too high you could throttle back.

 

[duncc]

Re: Lowe FS175 Merc 115 Prop & Height Questions

Thank you for your insight. I am trimmed all the way in for the holeshot.
So you are saying that a smaller pitch will increase my revs??

I'm really disappointed with the performance so far. I had a 1990 Bayliner 18 footer with a 3.0L merc I/O (heavier boat) and this lowe seems no better for towing a skier. How can they only rate this hull up to 115 hp??? Seems way underpowered to me. Like I said I will try moving the motor up...I'm just surprised that I am getting so much opposition from dealers and Lowe themselves.

 

[steelespike]

Re: Lowe FS175 Merc 115 Prop & Height Questions

As I understand it the 4 stroke has to be propped carefully for best all around performance.If you read the 4 stroke prop posts I think most stress prop for the max rpm.Each inch change in pitch will gain or lose about 200 rpm.A lower number will raise rpm.Some setups you have to go to a prop for skiing.As far as getting up keep your knee bent trail the free foot for balance,let the boat get you up don't stand too soon.
Years ago we used to ski with a 25 on a light 15ft lone star,had a 100lb adult to spot.Ususally used 2 skies to start.Had a 195lb friend that could force the boat to drag him forever but when he got his weight forward kept his knees bent it got him up pretty easily.Of course on a slolom he could just about stall the boat if he tried.
The 4 stroke has its good points generally hole shot isn't one of them.
let us know how things go.

 

[cloumar]

Re: Lowe FS175 Merc 115 Prop & Height Questions

Duncc,

Is your Merc one of the new generation - which I guess it is ( new cab ) if it is then there is may be something wrong with your tach. The range of those new engine is 5800 to 6400-RPMs and the prop that you have is the common base prop of those engine, I have a 2007 - Merc. 115- 4 strokes on a Princecraft Pro176 -2007 and I have the same prop.

When I got the boat the tach was showing 5600-rpm at WOT, I went to the dealer and with the scan tool they told me that the engine was reving at 6250-rpms at WOT, they made the proper setting on my tach, as there are few differents settings possible. My boat is equiped with Faria gauges.

Mario

 

[duncc]

Re: Lowe FS175 Merc 115 Prop & Height Questions

The slalom ski I use is a double boot so there is no dragging of the other foot...you must start two feet in. I get up this way no problem on other boats with more power. Pretty much all the new hi-perf slalom skis are double boot now.

I have the old gen merc four stroke. (More squared off cover.) Its rated for 5000-6000 rpm. I believe the speed I am getting at the top to be fine; its what i expected. I just expected a lot more of a hole shot. I'm thinking I will go one or two holes up on the motor, then down to 15 pitch if necessary (keeping an eye on rpm of course.) I should keep my top end with the 15 P if I increase motor height, correct?

Mario, do you ski behind your boat at all??

What about venting the prop??? Do you think that might help???

thanks guys

 

[cloumar]

Re: Lowe FS175 Merc 115 Prop & Height Questions

No I don't ski at all - I use the boat for mainly fishing and a bit cruising when the fish is too picky to byte the worm.

I guess like Steelespike suggested - you'll need to go with a 15''P - which will give better hole shot and pull for skiing

 

[Irv964]

Re: Lowe FS175 Merc 115 Prop & Height Questions

I have an 06 165 Fish & Ski with a rated 07 90 hp Merc 4 stroke which came with a Black Max 19P aluminum, I just recently put on a Turning Point Hustler 19P of the same diameter and I pulled a 200+lb skier up no problem.
I never tried my stock prop skiing but I am guessing it would only be a slight difference?
How is your weight distributed in your boat? I always run 2 people max in the boat, sometimes only me and a spotter and I make sure the are located in the bow. I also never run with much gear and only a 1/2 tank of fuel. With your rig, you should be able to pull a skier no problem!
My buddy with a 3.2L inboard running a 4 blade has a slight harder time pulling up the same skiers(we attribute that to not having a ski pole??).......Irv964

 

[duncc]

Re: Lowe FS175 Merc 115 Prop & Height Questions

We have tried skiing with 3 ppl in the boat (2 up in the bow.) I was running 3/4 full tank.

Do you know what position (hole) your motor is mounted in the transom??

 

[Irv964]

Re: Lowe FS175 Merc 115 Prop & Height Questions

My motor is mounted all the way down, it is completely sitting on the transom. I looked at the cav plate and it looks like it is in the perfect position with this setting?
How much extra gear do you have in the boat? Running 3/4 of a tank is considerabley more weight than a 1/2 tank(big tanks in these boats) How heavy are your passengers? My passengers would total 330lbs plus me 200lbs(I did notice a slower holeshot and a harder pull on the skier(harder on the skier) when 3 of us were in the boat) Running just 1 person(spotter) was much easier on the skier........Irv964