Remote Steering Notice - Mercury 200 OptiMax Manual

GENERAL INFORMATION
Determining the Correct Pitch size ‑ First, check the full throttle
RPM under normal load condition. If the full throttle RPM is within
the recommended range, select a replacement or upgrade
propeller with the same pitch as the current propeller.
• Adding 1 inch of pitch will reduce the full throttle RPM by 150
to 200
• Subtracting 1 inch of pitch will increase full throttle RPM by
150 to 200
• Upgrading from a 3‑blade propeller to a 4‑blade propeller will
generally decrease full throttle RPM by 50 to 100
IMPORTANT: Avoid damage to the engine. Never use a propeller
which allows the engine to exceed the recommended full throttle
RPM range when under normal full throttle operation.
PROPELLER MATERIAL
Most propellers manufactured by Mercury Marine are made from
either aluminum or stainless steel. Aluminum is suitable for general
purpose use and is standard equipment on many new boats.
Stainless steel is over five times more durable than aluminum and
typically provides performance gains in acceleration and top end
speed due to design efficiencies. Stainless steel propellers also
come in a larger variety of sizes and styles that allow you to dial in
the ultimate performance for your boat.
3 BLADE VS. 4 BLADE
Available in many sizes of both aluminum and stainless, 3 and
4‑blade propellers have unique performance characteristics. In
general, 3‑blade propellers offer good all around performance and
higher top speed than 4‑blade propellers. However, 4‑blade
propellers are usually faster to plane and more efficient at cruising
speeds, but lack the top end speed of a 3‑blade propeller.

Remote Steering Notice

The steering link rod that connects the steering cable to the engine
must be fastened utilizing self‑locking nuts. These self‑locking nuts
must never be replaced with common nuts (non‑locking) as they
will work loose and vibrate off, freeing the link rod to disengage.
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