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1996 Force 120 issues

Zlanetbl

New member
Hey friends, I'm new to the forum and needing some help if you'd be so kind!
Just picked up an older Nitro 17.5 foot with a 1996 Mercury Force 120. The engine runs fantastic at idle and seems to shift properly. Now here's my issue: When I put it in forward gear and begin accelerating, the motor barely reaches (approximately) 20% of its rpm capability. I put the motor at WOT and I'm barely moving 15mph at best.

To try to troubleshoot it, I beached the boat and removed the motor cover. Manually operated the throttle at the motor and it had no problem reaching a screaming high healthy RPM. So it's only in forward gear that this problem is occurring. What are your thoughts? Thanks!
 
But I do move. It only throttles up to a low rpm and the prop spins. I'm able to do approximately 15mph but that's where it tops out.

I feel if it was the hub or prop issue, I would still reach full RPM, but would fail to move very fast. But that's not the case. Motor in forward gear is staying at a low RPM even with WOT and the boat is moving in the water, but only slowly.
 
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