Sombody help me...

[mdoehling]

Just got back from first time out with my 2008 Lund 1750 Fisherman. Motor is a 115 Merc 4/stroke. Had four guys in the bost with limited gear and back live well 1/2 full. Boat would NOT plane with all four behind the windshield. Prop is a 17 pitch 13.25 aluminum. RPMs were around 5400-5600 at 40 MPH once we got her up. (WOT)

Wondering if a SS prop, and or smaller pitch can help with this, or am I going to have to upgrade the motor? I don't need to go faster, but the hole NO/shot is rediculos.

I need Help.....:(

[walleyejim1216]

Have you considered putting one of those fins on the motor? They can make a huge difference!

[Lundexp]

Take it out with just yourself and maybe another guy in the boat and see how it performs. It almost sounds like a weight distribution problem. I have no problem getting my 1800 explorer up on plane with 4 guys and fully loaded and both livewells full when I distribute everything right and that's only with a 80hp yamaha 4 stroke. I did have hard time getting up on plane with the prop my boat came with, put on a lower pitched prop and it's a whole different animal with holeshot.
What is your engine's WOT range in the manual? If it is higher than what your engine is running now then propping lower will help. I'd try it out with less people in it first to see how it performs differently.

[yarcraft91]

The specified WOT rpm for the 115 Merc 4-stroke is 5800-6400. You said your WOT rpm was 5400-5600. You should run a lower-pitch prop, probably a 15 pitch, under those conditions. A 17 pitch stainless might turn even lower rpm than the aluminum- usually does for me.

[mdoehling]

Lundexp- I did have the boat out with just myself a few times last fall when I first got it, and briefly a weeka go with one guy. I knew the hole shot was goint to be slow from those experiences, but not nonexistant.

I was hoping to hear from others with the same rig and set up, and what their experiences have been, solutions ect. Thanks for your suggestions though, I do apprieciate your help and any from anyone.

[Hot Runr Guy]

When I switched from a 17" down to a 15", it really made a difference. You've got room to go down in pitch, based on your rpms, so if you can get your hands on one, I'd give it a try.
HRG

[northernbite]

I'm no expert on these things but I bought a used 1800 tiller Pro V with a 75 Merc on it; there was a 17 degree pitch prop and I changed it to a 15 degree what a differance. I pickup a great hole shot plus 2+ mile a hour speed. I took it out yeasterday after moving some batteries around, from port to starboard and some other weight in the front and man did that make a differance, 3 more mile a hour. weight balance is everything from my view plus the right prop. I'm at 35 GPS now and that is fast enough for me. That is with full gas tank, 36 gal., and one other guy and gear. I don't have the ability to check RPM's but it sounds good.

Paul

[T Mac]

The poster needs a 15 pitch prop. ;).
I'd like to see that 115 running up at the upper end of the operating rpm range.

Put the right prop on the boat and you'll be amazed at how much more enjoyable things are!!!

[Flip Silverlake]

Take it back to the dealer. There is no reason that a "Package deal" should not be water ready. As I understand it these boats are all set up at the factory and should be good to go out of the box. Unless there is a major issue with the motor.

[T Mac]

Flip is steering you right on the prop.
But......
They aren't all set up at the factory... however, a lot more is done there now than used to be.
I know I had to order different props than what was recommended on the non supercharged motors.
But then.... store is at 4000' elevation :)

Because of elevation differences (for one thing) the dealer is really responsible for making sure you have the correct prop...not Lund.
Yup... swap to the right prop...get it from your selling dealer.
It happens....

[Lundexp]

Definitely sounds like a over propping problem. No they are not all set from the factory and good to go, all different engines often need different pitch props regardless that they are on a similar boat. Mine was over propped too and it was set at the factory, put on a lower pitch and wow what a difference. Take that 17 pitch in and get a 15 pitch, my bet is it will be a whole different machine overall.

[mdoehling]

Thanks guys for all the great suggestions, I took Flip's advice and called the dealer, Looks like they are going to swap out the 17 for a 15 pitch prop.

According to the boys at the dealer Lund sets them up with one or two people in the boat. According to them this is the most common loading condition, so that's how they set them up. I would think that the boat should be able to perform to specifications up to maximum loading limits. JMO.

I found it intresting that the first thing out of the sales and service guys was, "Yeah, what you need to get is the stainless prop....." Didn't know "I had" to spend more money to get my new boat to perform properly. I agree with Flip, boat shold perform properly right from the factor/dealer. If not fix it.

[yarcraft91]

So, if the sales and service guys all think you should have a stainless prop, is that what they're swapping for your 17 pitch? Just kidding...

Don't be surprised if your boat needs two different pitch props to run at the right WOT rpm at minimum and maximum load.

The recommendation is to prop the boat so that the WOT rpm are within the manufacturer's specified range. These Merc 4-strokes have a spec range only 500-600 rpm wide, for example, your 115 at 5800-6400, my 50 at 5500-6000. Given the narrow range of spec'ed WOT rpm, it's possible no single prop will operate within that range at all possible boat loadings. On some motors, prop selection for a wide range of loads is simpler because the WOT range is 1000 rpm wide or more- for example, my 1991 120 OMC specs 5000-6000 rpm WOT.

[mdoehling]

So, if the sales and service guys all think you should have a stainless prop, is that what they're swapping for your 17 pitch? Just kidding...

Yeah that'd be nice ....