!987 Mercury Classic 50. Advice for a new prop?

[Florida Speck Slayer]

Spend a lot of time reading this fine forum and need some help, which I know ya'll are great at!! I currently am fishing out of a 1988 BassTracker Pro 17 with a Classic 50 badge/sticker on the lower unit. When I first got the boat there was a sticker peeling off that said something like this....electric power tilt trim 45.... The serial # is OB297550. It is a 4 cylinder. I'm not sure of year {87?} or the HP. NO manuals.I have other #s if you need them. Oh, it is an aluminun boat. The prop on the boat appears to be the original. A 3 bladed Aluminum with these #s on it, 48 73134 A40L 12P. I usually run with a 60 quart cooler full of ice, fish,and/or drinks. I weigh about 200 lbs and my partner close to 300! I've been needing a new prop for some time but the closer was a nice little chunk out of it courtesy of Mr. Oyster and his buddies last trip out of Cedar Key. The boat always seemed to wind out a bit before it would settle in and grab. Iknow this ain't good but it was tolerable. Could anyone out here on this forum of wizards help me out and steer me in the right direction? I certainly appreciate any and all advice. Thanks, George <br /><br />--------------------<br />Blessed Assurance<br />"Ask and it shall be given."

 

[roscoe]

Re: !987 Mercury Classic 50. Advice for a new prop?

Hi.<br />You've got a 1988 model 45 hp motor.<br />45hp rated at the prop, was the old 50hp rated at the crankshaft, I believe.<br /><br />If the old prop performance was acceptable, get another like it, its still available from Merc. <br />Its a 10 5/8 diameter by 12" pitch Black Max prop.<br /><br />How long does it take to get on plane with just you?<br />How long with you and the partner?<br />Do you have a tach? If so, what are the rpm at wide open throttle ( WOT ) ?

 

[Florida Speck Slayer]

Re: !987 Mercury Classic 50. Advice for a new prop?

About 10 seconds. Sometimes 45 seconds or more with partner. Scares me a little cause you can hear winding out and not grabbing. WOT right at 4900- 5000 rpms. speed about 23 MPH. Was wondering if a different pitch would help? Also my motor is mounted fairly high on transon,maybe ventilating more than cavitating...maybe a little of both? Is this a 13 spline? I haven't pulled it chech. Thanks for any and all advise. Keep it up .I gotta get a prop ordered asap.

 

[roscoe]

Re: !987 Mercury Classic 50. Advice for a new prop?

Yes it is a 13 spline.<br />A 10" pitch prop should increase the WOT rpm to approximately 5400.<br />Won't effect the top end much, maybe get you 1-2 mph.<br />But it should give you a better bite and shorten up the holeshot time.<br />That would be # 48 73132A40 10 pitch.<br /><br />9 pitch props are available, as are 4 blade props which may also help<br /><br />Anti ventilation plate of motor should be 1-2 inches above the bottom of the boat. Also lowering the motor trim angle may help planing time.

 

[Florida Speck Slayer]

Re: !987 Mercury Classic 50. Advice for a new prop?

Thank you Roscoe!! SO I would definetly be going in the wrong direction with a 13P. 10 5/8 diameter... 10 pitch would be the ticket. Thanks again.<br /> George