Sliping Problem

I just purchased a 1987 20 hp merc. outboard. My first outboard ever....I know nothing about them or how they work. I put it on my 14 foot lund. I took it up north for the may 2-4 weekend on a fishing trip for walleye. The engine ran great for two days...no issues at all. Then, when clippin a long with the throttle full out, the lower end made a sliping sound until i throttled down to about half way. The rpm's were high, but something in the drive is messed. I can no longer throttle any further than half way or this issue occurs. When it happens, it sounds like the engine revs higher and it causes the engine to tip forward (lower end slightly rises out of the water).....how does the drive on these things work? Could a gear be worn? how many gears are there? is there a clutch system and if so how does it work?

thanks

Re: Sliping Problem

It sounds like your prop is slipping on the hub. This is a fairly common problem. Either replace the prop or have it re-hubbed by a prop shop.

Re: Sliping Problem

i'll second that and add - maybe do away with the rubber hub and get a flo-torque 2 or something like that -never slip again unless you hit something -