douglaso54
Recruit
- Joined
- Jul 27, 2015
- Messages
- 1
Hello. In fall of 2013 we purchased a used 2005 Crestliner Angler Edition pontoon with Mercury 115 Four stroke EFI. The motor had a 14" x 13 pitch 3 blade prop. We were using it to troll for fishing and started getting a lot of blue smoke. Mechanic at local marina said the motor was not designed for trolling and that we needed to get it up to 5000 rpm to keep it running good. During winter season purchased and electric trolling motor that mounts to the cavitation plate and a 14" x 11 pitch 4 blade prop and installed all that. Ran entire summer season of 2014 with no problems. We usually run with just the wife and I but have had as many as 12 people on board and no problems. Have had it out half a dozen times this season and about a month ago with just the wife and I on the boat we left "no Wake" zone after putting in and started cavitating when I got above 4000 rpm. Talked to local marina mechanic again and he suggested changing prop. Purchased 14" x 11 pitch 3 blade and put it on. Started cavitating at 3500 rpms. Took the two previous props down to a prop shop in Salt Lake City and had them balanced. Put the original 14" x 13 pitch 3 blade on and it starrts cavitating at 3000 rpm. Havwe talked to numerous boat owners and different mechanics and all say its not an engine problem. Nothing in the engine that can slip which is what it feels like when it happens. Have tried moving weight in boat around, changing trim of motor and nothing seems to make any difference. Can't get above 3000 rpm without cavitating. It has two pontoons, don't know if engine is long or short shaft. Any suggestions? Thank you.