Have a 2001 50 hp. Merc. outboard on a 17 ft Tracker. At full throttle, I have very little power (barely moving above no wake speeds). RPMs are up and engine sounds fine but can't get enough power to get on plane. Can this be a fuel problem or is it mechanical (prop) problem?
2007-03-17 17:00:11 · 11 answers · asked by Noaks 2 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Boats & Boating
Check your prop's hub,,might be slipping.
It's a rubber thing,,they dry rot,go bad,and dont drive the prop.
Normally they fail pretty much totally,,you'll get almost no drive.
It's a sensation like a badly slipping clutch,,,or wheelspin when driving-on-ice or in mud.........lots of rpm but going nowhere.
Sometimes,,it's like a "partial slip".
Gradual throttle will speed up boat gradually,,,but only to a point where Load resistance overcomes what little drive-engagement the failing hub offers.
Sudden or hard throttle will just speed up the engine,,but not the boat.
The power surge overwhelms the hub's feeble amount of drive friction.
If RPM's are UP and engine sounds OK(not straining),,,but boat is not moving proportionately....
Something's GOTTA be "slipping".
*It's either a badly damaged prop---the blades themselves are slipping in the water.
That would be fairly easy to see such damge in most cases.
*Or the Prop is slipping on it's drive hub.
..........................................
I guess it should be said ,,all the above applies to a CHANGE in a boat you're familiar with.
If it's a new boat to you,,,or has been re-powered,,,etc,etc,,,and You are not certain of how that particular rig is Supposed to be Normally..,,
In that case it could be a number of variables.
Primary suspects are things like,,Incorrect Prop,,,or Engine position.
Those are Not unusual things to find wrong with boats.
A 50 Merc on a 17 Tracker ain't no Unlimited Hydroplane type of performer,,,
but when propped & trimmed right it is a peppy running rig.
They'll get outa the hole and on plane reasonably quick,,,and should run about 30~35 mph range
Good luck with it
2007-03-17 18:26:44 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Sounds like you either have the wrong pitch prop or a spun hub or which all have been stated above. Also might want to check the trim on the motor to make sure you are getting full travel...all the way down and all the way up, do not rely on the trim Gage if so equipped. Another factor is you could have it over loaded, but sounds more like a spun prop hub.
2007-03-17 20:13:02 · answer #2 · answered by ? 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I used to have a boat like that. It was a little underpowered trying to get to plane. I used to just stand up front until it planed off, this will tell you if the 50hp will be able to plane it off.
The right size and pitch prop would be the cheapest fix but first check the angle bracket and move it forward one notch so the prop is more under the boat.
2007-03-19 12:44:31 · answer #3 · answered by Joseph R 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Pitch or angle of attack of the motor and prop in relation to the boat could be wrong. You could be plowing the nose of the boat (which means you need to tilt the motor back more), or you could be pushing the tail down (which means you need to tilt the motor forward more), either of which would not allow the boat to plane.
Also, you can have power props or speed props but it does not sound like a prop problem unless you have broken or badly bend the blades.
2007-03-17 17:14:13 · answer #4 · answered by Say What? 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Have you checked for obstructions on the hull? I mean barnacles, dents or holes? If that's all clear, chect the prop first. That's the only way to ensure the boat is getting started. Make sure the prop is actually turning (could be a slipping transmission). After all that has been checked out, then check the engine using a calibrated tach to ensure it actually is turning as fast as you believe it to be running.
2007-03-17 17:11:17 · answer #5 · answered by Kiffin # 1 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Does the PETROL engine have a distributor and point breaker contact?
Then the point gap has slipped to be too small. Reset the points for a greater build-up of voltage between sparks.
I had this problem in the middle of a lake one time. We had to be towed in to the dock. Simple repair in 5 minutes.
2007-03-18 01:06:24 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
if rpm's are where they should be check to see if motor is down all the way if it is sounds like the wrong prop. at best a fifty wont be a speed demon but should plane the boat unless you have ut overloaded
2007-03-17 17:20:23 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You most likely have alge and other organisms growing on the hull. I have a 62ft sailboat, and that even gets slowed down by that problem.
2007-03-18 11:21:15 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
why not get a bigger engine? for a boat that size the engine is tiny
2007-03-17 17:15:09 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
it's the prop and nothing else!!!
2007-03-18 10:14:06 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋