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Section 2 - On the Water
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At extremes, can cause the boat to veer back and forth (bow steer)
The Bottom of the Boat
To maintain maximum speed, the boat bottom should be:
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Clean, free of barnacles and marine growth
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Free of distortion; nearly flat where it contacts the water
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Straight and smooth, fore and aft
Marine vegetation may accumulate when the boat is docked. This growth must be removed before operation; it may clog the
water inlets and cause the engine to overheat.
Cavitation
Cavitation occurs when water flow cannot follow the contour of a fast‑moving underwater object, such as a gear housing or a
propeller. Cavitation increases propeller speed while reducing boat speed. Cavitation can seriously erode the surface of the
gear housing or the propeller. Common causes of cavitation are:
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Weeds or other debris snagged on the propeller
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Bent propeller blade
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Raised burrs or sharp edges on the propeller
Ventilation
Ventilation is caused by surface air or exhaust gases that are introduced around the propeller resulting in propeller speed‑up
and a reduction in boat speed. Air bubbles strike the propeller blade and cause erosion of the blade surface. If allowed to
continue, eventual blade failure (breakage) will occur. Excessive ventilation is usually caused by:
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Drive unit trimmed out too far
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A missing propeller diffuser ring
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A damaged propeller or gear housing, which allows exhaust gases to escape between propeller and gear housing
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Drive unit installed too high on transom
Elevation and Climate
Elevation and climate changes will affect the performance of your power package. Loss of performance can be caused by:
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Higher elevations
•
Higher temperatures
•
Low barometric pressures
•
High humidity
For you to have optimum engine performance under changing weather conditions, it is essential that the engine be propped to
allow the engine to operate at or near the top end of the specified maximum RPM range with a normal boat load during your
normal boating weather conditions.
In most cases, recommended RPM can be achieved by changing to a lower pitch propeller.
Propeller Selection
IMPORTANT: The engines covered in this manual are equipped with an RPM rev‑limiter that is set to an upper RPM limit. This
limit, which is slightly above the normal operating range of the engine, helps prevent damage from excessive engine RPM.
Once the RPM returns to the recommended operating RPM range, normal engine operation resumes.
The boat manufacturer and the selling dealer are responsible for equipping the power package with the correct propeller. Refer
to Mercury Marine's web page https://www.mercurymarine.com/en/us/propellers/selector/#/step‑one.
Select a propeller that will allow the engine power package to operate at or near the top end of the recommended WOT
operating RPM range with a normal load.
If full‑throttle operation is below the recommended range, the propeller must be changed to prevent loss of performance and
possible engine damage. On the other hand, operating an engine above the recommended operating RPM range will cause
higher than normal wear and damage.
After initial propeller selection, the following common problems may require that the propeller be changed to a lower pitch.
•
Warmer weather and greater humidity cause a loss of RPM.
•
Operating in a higher elevation causes a loss of RPM.
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Operating with a dirty boat bottom causes a loss of RPM.
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Operating with increased load (additional passengers, pulling skiers) causes a loss of RPM.
For better acceleration, such as is needed for waterskiing, use the next lower pitch propeller. When not pulling skiers, do not
operate at full throttle when using the lower pitch propeller.
Page 36
90-8M0128976
MAY 2017
eng
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