Re: 2001 fitch evinrude
"How long?" isn't the issue. The answer though is "It can all day long", if you want to.<br /><br />You're effectively setting up the correct "overall gearing" if you will. If the engine turns well below the recommended WOT rpm, it's considered to be "over-propped". This causes the engine to lug, which over-loads and stresses the internal parts. Ever driven a car or truck with a stick shift & inadvertently tried to start out in 2nd or 3rd gear?? The engine usually rattles real bad or sometimes stalls. You're basically dong the same thing with the outboard, 'cept it don't rattle because there's no valve train like the car engine has.<br /><br />The other extreme is called "under-propped" and causes the engine to over-rev or run well beyond the rpm redline.<br /><br />Neither condition is good for engine longevity. Prop it to run as specified and the boat should plane quickly, run well and be much more fuel efficient.<br /><br />-John