Relplaced Mercury Prop - Now Loss of Speed

wally2009

Recruit
Joined
Aug 28, 2009
Messages
1
1. I replaced my prop with a new one and now have a loss of speed. The old one cruised at 18 knots at 4000 rpm. The new one I'm only getting 13 knots at 4000 rpm. I'm also getting less acceleration.
2. New prop is Quicksilver "Black Diamond" aluminum. Diameter is 13, pitch is 19. I'm pretty sure the old one was the original one to the engine from Mercury. It looks exactly the same - same diameter and pitch and I think it is also aluminum.
3. I run this engine at 4000 rpm and normally get 18 knots cruise speed.
4. Engine - 2001 Mercury 90 HP Saltwater model.
5. Boat - 2001 Sea Pro center console, length = 17.5 foot, weighs = 1500 lbs.

Finally - is there any part to the internal workings of the prop that can wear out? In other words, unless the prop is damaged externally, is there really any reason to replace it?
 

hwsiii

Commander
Joined
Jan 25, 2009
Messages
2,639
Re: Relplaced Mercury Prop - Now Loss of Speed

Wally, you don't say what the pith is for the original prop, so I don't know what we are omparing. I also don't know whether it is a 4 stroke or a 2 stroke so I don't know what the gear ratio is or the maximum RPM are. I used both of them and I don't know if they are right. Please verify the gear ratio and maximum RPM. If eitherof these gear ratios are right you have a lot of prop slip. There will be numbers on the prop behind the nut that holds it on or on the bak or the sides.
You also say that you are getting less SPEED and AELERATION and those two don't usually go together.
In theory both props ould have spun hubs but it is not very likely.

Prop Slip

Wally2009PropSlip.jpg


Please fillout this form and I will see if I an help you, but you need to give us WOT speeds as well.

Iboats Boat and Motor Info

1. Year, make and model of boat
2. Length, width and base weight of boat, look for boat decal on back of boat
2a.What is the maximum recommended HP for your boat
3. Number of people and gallons of gas normally on boat
4. What do you use the boat for
5. Is it a Deep Vee and if so how many degrees of deadrise
6. Year, make. manufacturer and model of motor
7. HP and gear ratio of motor IMPORTANT
If you don?t know the ratio, you need to pull the plugs out and put a piece of tape a c ross the prop and the lower unit and then cut it between the prop and the housing and turn the motor until the tape lines up with each other, it is easier if two people do this, so one can watch the prop while the other counts the revolutions of the motor
8. Manufacturer?s recommended Wide Open Throttle (WOT) range
9. Anti-ventilation Plate height above keel of boat if it is an outboard in inches, use a board under the keel and stiking out to the anti ventilation plate for a referene
10. Is it a bass boat or does it have a pad bottom
11. Does it have a hydrafoil, dolefin or trim tabs
12. Make, model, diameter, pitch and whether SS or aluminum prop
13. WOT RPM and speed from your current prop and how much gas and how many people were in the boat for the test data and is the speed by GPS. Make sure you trim the prop up until it starts ventilating and then just trim in until it quits ventilating. If you do not have a tach you can buy a Tiny Tach for $ 50
RPM ___________ Speed ___________ No. of people ____________
14. Are you at sea level or a higher elevation, give us the elevation in feet
15. Has your motor been tuned up lately and have you checked that the carburetor butterfly is opening all the way, checked compression, and looked at the plugs and checked spark, all of the foregoing could be the reason your prop is not attaining full RPM
16. How long has this prop been on the boat and why, at this time, do you think it is the wrong prop
17. Does the prop show any damage that you can see
18. What problems are you trying to cure or what are you looking for the boat to do that it is not doing the way you think it should or to your expectations
19. If you are trying to attain a better cruising speed and fuel savings or trying to attain a faster speed I will want you to take your boat and run it with 1 or 2 people and give me the RPM and speed readings starting at 3,000 RPM in 500 RPM increments all the way to WOT.

REMEMBER, The numbers I give you will be NO better than the information you give me

The only thing I ask of you is to come back and give me a report of WOT RPM and speed for my database.


H
 
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