Hello All,
I have read through these forums a lot over the last year and have posted a few times and received a lot of help from the people on this board. I am still having issues however and would like to get some more opinions.
I have a 2006 Lowe FS175 alum fish and ski with 06 merc 115 4 stroke. Bought last summer, motor was a total dog, followed advice on engine height prop pitch etc. from forum members.
Motor came from factory in lowest position. I moved the motor up one hole at a time until I found the best position for hole shot, top speed, cornering etc. I have now tested the boat in every available motor height position and currently have it mounted in what feels like the best position. (CAV plate just above water when boat is on plane.)
Hole shot was still not acceptable, tried a Turning point hustler 17 pitch, improved but still not great. (I still can't get up on a slalom ski, and yes I am an experienced skier with proper technique.) I went to a 15 pitch hustler, huge difference in hole shot but the thing overrevs like crazy and tops out at 35-36 mph. Also tried a 15P express stainless and it was worse than the hustler for hole shot.
17P holeshot is horrible; 43mph @ 6000 rpm
15P decent holeshot; 35mph @ 6000 rpm
I can get up on the ski with the 15P but once I am up the boat won't pull me fast enough for a good ski.
I am getting extremely frustrated, this motor seems so underpowered (used to have a 1990 18' bayliner with 3.0 liter I/O 120 hp and it seemed better.) I talked to turning point and he said the 115 4S merc does not have a good holeshot.
My questions are:
1. Will this motor get noticeably stronger the more it breaks-in? It's got between 30 and 40 hrs on it.
2. Is there a prop out there that anyone can suggest that can help me?
3. Can I put a larger motor on the boat than it is rated for? (115 hp feels ridiculously under powered.) i.e. a 135 optimax?
4. What about the 115 opti, would that fix my problems?
Thanks for all your input, I know this was an essay to read. I am really getting discouraged; I love the boat but the motor is such a dog it's depressing.
I have read through these forums a lot over the last year and have posted a few times and received a lot of help from the people on this board. I am still having issues however and would like to get some more opinions.
I have a 2006 Lowe FS175 alum fish and ski with 06 merc 115 4 stroke. Bought last summer, motor was a total dog, followed advice on engine height prop pitch etc. from forum members.
Motor came from factory in lowest position. I moved the motor up one hole at a time until I found the best position for hole shot, top speed, cornering etc. I have now tested the boat in every available motor height position and currently have it mounted in what feels like the best position. (CAV plate just above water when boat is on plane.)
Hole shot was still not acceptable, tried a Turning point hustler 17 pitch, improved but still not great. (I still can't get up on a slalom ski, and yes I am an experienced skier with proper technique.) I went to a 15 pitch hustler, huge difference in hole shot but the thing overrevs like crazy and tops out at 35-36 mph. Also tried a 15P express stainless and it was worse than the hustler for hole shot.
17P holeshot is horrible; 43mph @ 6000 rpm
15P decent holeshot; 35mph @ 6000 rpm
I can get up on the ski with the 15P but once I am up the boat won't pull me fast enough for a good ski.
I am getting extremely frustrated, this motor seems so underpowered (used to have a 1990 18' bayliner with 3.0 liter I/O 120 hp and it seemed better.) I talked to turning point and he said the 115 4S merc does not have a good holeshot.
My questions are:
1. Will this motor get noticeably stronger the more it breaks-in? It's got between 30 and 40 hrs on it.
2. Is there a prop out there that anyone can suggest that can help me?
3. Can I put a larger motor on the boat than it is rated for? (115 hp feels ridiculously under powered.) i.e. a 135 optimax?
4. What about the 115 opti, would that fix my problems?
Thanks for all your input, I know this was an essay to read. I am really getting discouraged; I love the boat but the motor is such a dog it's depressing.