Dialing in Merc 50

[Bob La Londe]

I just picked up a 2004 ELPTO 50 HP Merc. It runs great, but I have a bit of a head scratcher. I just ran it for the first time today. <br /><br />Here is the setup. 16' flat bottom jon boat. A waco 2050-16 to be exact. <br /><br />I got it out and ran it for very brief times at WOT today. The motor supposedly already had 10 hours break in time, so I wasn't to worried about it. <br /><br />Anyway. I got 33.5 MPH at 6000 rpm. Now, that doesn't sound too bad except its with a 14P prop. Either the gear ratio of that lower unit is way different from other outboards I have run or the tach has to be way off. <br /><br />What do you think? Is that in keeping with that motor and prop? <br /><br />The thing that gets me is the boat literally leaps out of the water. It does perform at the low end like its under propped for top end. Should I be looking for a 16P prop? <br /><br />Yes, I know 6000 rpm is above the max reccommended WOT rpm. I only ran it at that speed for long enough for speed to stabilize so I had a baseline to compare with. Max reccomended rpm is 5500.

 

[UNCC Grad]

Re: Dialing in Merc 50

I think everything sounds in line there. You might want to go to a 15 or 16p. See if your local prop shop will give you a loaner to try out and I'd bet that will put you within range.